As Google continues to evolve, my question to you is simple: Is SEO DEAD? Ads are pushing all listings down the page. Next, you have maps that take up a large amount of real estate. In addition to maps, you now also have map ads that also take up valuable real estate. See below for a map ad example. Organic SEO has been pushed so far down the fold, is it worth spending money on?
Let’s look at a simple search “Nissan Dealers Near Me”. See screenshot below (I had to zoom out to even fit this image on one page). As you can see, Organic search has been pushed so far
down the fold, it is almost irrelevant. SEO companies that sell their services can not even tell you when you will see results. The chances of a customer scrolling down below the map section is slim to none. In the automotive world, the days of paying Auto Trader or a third-party provider to outrank you organically are gone! This is GOOD NEWS! For contractors, paying Home Advisor is virtually the same thing. You are basically paying these companies to out rank you. But why? To me, this is incredibly unhealthy for your business. These third-party listing sites, unfortunately, became a necessary evil. In today’s digital landscape, please know you DO NOT need to advertise on third-party sites!
Back to the question, Is SEO Dead? Yes, SEO is dead- in the conventional form. When consumers conduct searches, you want your business to appear in Maps. Think of the last search you conducted on Google.. It could be Pizza Near Me or Gas Stations Near me. You most likely relied on Maps to find what you were looking for. In Maps, it is possible to show in map searches for up to 16 cities, within a reasonable radius from your business, in up to 10 categories. This is the NEW organic SEO. There has never been an easier way to move the needle with your business. When dialed in correctly, you will bring more customers to your business, more requests for directions and many more phone calls than you have ever received.
Regardless of the industry, customers search the same way now on Google. Their search patterns are easy to identify. You as a business owner need to adapt to this new strategy and you will see your business flourish!
8/10 people will be on their smartphone to pull up a search such as “Restaurants Near Me”. These potential customers will simply click-CALL to make a reservation. In the automotive world, New Car dealers sell tires, and they have great prices! One problem car dealers have is they never appear in tire searches. You should be front and center in the map section when a customer Googles “New Tires Near Me.” This potential customer will be on their smartphone and will click to call and then will book their next appointment with you. An additional way these same potential customers will find you is to click “Directions”. Next thing you know you have a customer who was on Google arriving at your business.
Search is ever evolving. If you do not conform to “The New SEO” you and your business will be left in the dust.
I would like to invite you to a free webinar where we discuss how to move the needle with Maps. I will be hosting this webinar on Friday November 19th 9AM PST/ Noon EDT. This is not a sales presentation but a how-to-course to have your business front and center in the only search that matters. You can click the link below to register.
Learning How To Dominate on Google My Business and Google Maps Friday 11/19/2021 9AM PST – 12:00PM EDT
