In our recent video, “Stop with the SEO BS: Why You MUST Focus on Paid Media First,” Alex addresses the common misconceptions surrounding SEO and highlights the critical importance of prioritizing paid media for immediate business results. Here’s a detailed summary:
The Overhyped SEO Promises
Alex begins by expressing frustration with the overemphasis on SEO and the numerous unsolicited offers from so-called SEO experts. Many of these experts promise remarkable results through backlinks and keyword optimization for a fixed monthly fee, often without a clear explanation of the process or any guarantee of success. This practice is rampant in the industry, leading to skepticism and frustration among business owners.
Real-World Examples of SEO Failures
A compelling anecdote is shared about a client who forwarded an SEO proposal from a company claiming to boost website traffic. Upon investigation using data aggregation tools like Ahrefs, we quickly discover that the SEO company had zero rankings and no traffic for their own website. Should you entrust your website to these people? If they cannot perform for themselves, surely that should give pause. This highlights the frequent occurrence of SEO scams where companies fail to deliver on their promises, leaving businesses with no tangible results.
The Barrier to Entry in the Industry
One of the main issues with the SEO /web design/digital marketing industry is the low barrier to entry. Anyone can claim to be an SEO expert without any credentials or proven track record. This has led to a proliferation of sub-par offerings and work project. Alex emphasizes the importance of expertise and experience in delivering genuine results, noting that SEO, design and site management is not as easy as some make it seem.
Paid Media: The Logical First Step
For small to mid-size businesses, especially startups, Alex advocates for focusing on paid media before investing in SEO. Paid media, such as Google Ads and social media marketing, offers immediate results and allows businesses to reach potential customers who are actively searching for their services. This approach ensures a quicker return on investment and provides the necessary funds to later invest in longer-term strategies like SEO.
Intent and Visibility
Alex highlights the importance of intent-driven advertising through paid media. By targeting potential customers who are already interested in your services, businesses can achieve better conversion rates and generate revenue more quickly. Google Ads, remarketing on Meta, and social media prospecting are all effective ways to get your brand in front of the right audience.
Avoiding SEO Scams
Alex advises businesses to be cautious of SEO companies that make grand promises without a clear plan or proven results. It’s crucial to research and verify the track record of any SEO provider before investing.
Conclusion
In summary, Alex firmly believes that paid media should be the first investment for businesses looking to grow their online presence. SEO, while important, should come after establishing a solid paid media strategy that generates results and income. This approach ensures a more sustainable and effective marketing strategy, ultimately leading to better business outcomes.
