Are you agitated as to why your site isn’t showing up on the first page of Google? It could be your SEO branding.
Do you know that, as per the stats by Terakeet SEO can bring 12.2 times more ROI than paid ads? As per Backlinko, about 50% of users click on search results within 9 seconds, and hardly 9% of users reach the bottom of the first page.
Let’s look at how SEO can help you build your brand online.
What is SEO Branding?
While traditional SEO concentrates on bringing traffic to your site, SEO branding goes the extra mile in converting it into revenue. It spreads awareness about your products and generates leads using your brand voice.
Your long-term SEO goal should be to bring more branded searches. Also, to build trust and a sense of familiarity.
Why SEO Branding is Essential for Long-Term Success
For many, SEO is just an afterthought. If you are one of them and think you should set everything up and running before starting with SEO, you need to correct a mistake. Remember, SEO is a long-term game, and you should have an SEO strategy ready for implementation as soon as you plan to launch a new website.
Millennials & SEO Branding Moments
Google search has been the most loved tool for millennials as it eases the biggest task, i.e., search. They make most of their purchase decisions after doing some Google searches. They have different moments of need and the way your brand fits into them. Google identifies different micro-moments:
- When they want to be aware of something, such as learning about a product or service.
- Their want-to-go moments are when they are searching for the location, direction, or information regarding an event or destination.
- Their want-to-do moments are when they are looking for help doing something, like repairing a home appliance or solving a software/hardware problem.
- And the moments they make the purchase – by showing readiness to take action, like checking about deals, coupons, and the best options for making a purchase.
For example, Amazon dominates the SEO game to appear first on Google. When a customer searches for stuff like “wireless headphones,” Amazon is ready with its results that ignite a desire. The user can check the options and purchase within minutes.
See how rapid the buying cycle just got with SEO branding?
SEO & Branding – A Concoction of Success
1. The Intersection of SEO and Branding: Why You Need Both
SEO is all about getting your website to rank higher on Google and other search engines. Branding, on the other hand, is how people perceive your company. At the same time, strong branding means that your customers will stick around. BrightEdge study, with over 53% of website traffic comes from organic search, which means better SEO directly brings more eyes to your brand. Similarly, a recognizable brand with a good reputation can improve CTA because people are more likely to click on brands they know.
2. Brand Authority not only through SMM, but through SEO.
Have you ever heard the phrase “content is king”? It’s 100% true when it comes to SEO and branding. When you publish high-value and quality content – it not only answers your audience’s burning questions but also positions your brand as an authority in your niche. Pair your content with Backlinks from trusted websites, and BOOM – Google sees your site as reliable and skyrockets your rankings.
Let’s remember EEAT – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This is the holy grail for SEO branding. Brands like Nike and Forbes focus on these pillars and tend to perform superbly in search results.
3. Keyword Strategies for Ranking & Branding
Keyword strategies – could be the foundation, but when mixed with branding – they pack a punch. It would help if you had a mix of branded and non-branded keywords to cover all bases. Keyword strategies help reinforce brand identity, while non-branded keywords help a wider audience reach out to you. Long tail keywords are often the best way to align with your brand’s specific values and messaging.
4. SEO Branding Through Storytelling
People relate to stories, not keywords. Why not, then, knit together your brand story in your SEO strategy? Google loves compelling content and hates the idea of users hopping over from page to page. Storytelling humanizes your brand and makes people more likely to recall it.
For example, Patagonia weaves sustainability into the very core of its content, telling an authentic story that resonates with the eco-sensitive consumer. Blog posts such as “Why Recycled Clothing Matters” use SEO best practices yet do so in a way that feels authentic and heartfelt.
5. Optimizing for Branded Search
You don’t just need to rank through keywords – but also rank for generic keywords. You need to own your branded queries. For example, when someone Googles “Coca-Cola merch,” Coca-Cola’s online store is the top result – not third-party sellers. This is what you aim for by claiming your branded search terms. Reputation management plays a big role here. Your brand should always reflect a positive outlook throughout all global social mentions, user-generated content, and reviews.
6. Leveraging Social Media for SEO and Branding Synergy
Social media is where your brand comes alive, but it also feeds into your SEO efforts. While social signals don’t directly influence rankings, engagement on social media can drive traffic to your site. Brands like Glossier have nailed this – as their social media presence is fun, relatable, and engaging. Your SMM and your SEO strategies should work in tandem – for consistent brand messaging.
7. User Experience (UX) and SEO: A Branding Asset
Google SEO isn’t just about keywords – it’s about giving users the best experience on your site. Google prioritizes UX ( page load speed, mobile-friendliness, and easy navigation) as a ranking factor. A great UX boosts your branding – as people associate with the positive interactions with your brand. Amazon has nailed UX – as they have lightning-fast load times as well as an easy checkout process to help their SEO. They come off as convenient and reliable seamlessly.
8. Optimizing for Voice Search and Brand Recall
Voice search isn’t necessary, but thanks to virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri, SEO branding has this option, too. Optimizing for voice search means using conversational keywords that align with natural speech. This helps shape brand recall in the best way possible. Because you will always rely on well-known brands when using voice commands.
Wrapping up,
SEO branding will boost sales by creating an established brand on Google result pages. Your blog posts must reflect your brand consistently. SEO isn’t a one-time process, and going overboard with it could get you in trouble, or Google could even ban your website. This blog also emphasizes staying updated with Google guidelines, where a Digital Marketing Company is well-versed in drafting a personalized SEO strategy for your brand.
Stay tuned for more blogs like these, where we shed light on SEO and various aspects!
Bhavya Shah
Bhavya Shah is a Business Analyst at iCreative Technologies. He specializes in the eCommerce consulting for all business domains. He is working hand-in-hand with developers and clients to produce requirements and specifications that accurately reflect business needs and are technologically achievable.