Long gone are the days whenSearch Engine Optimization(and Digital Marketing in general) were regarded as "optional" for the health of small businesses on Long Island. The facts remain that in order to ensure your Business stays at the top, word of mouth can only go so far. But fear not; the purpose of this article is not to diminish the value of spoken referrals and grassroots marketing efforts. Thousands of small businesses on Long Island have been built upon the foundation of word of mouth referrals; but the truth is that businesses are truly missing out on a large portion of potential customers if they are not taking advantage of Search Engines in the digital age. And in highly competitive areas like Nassau and Suffolk county, business owners need every advantage they can get.

Yes, SEO & Digital Marketing Cost More than Word of Mouth Referrals; but they Have the Same Effect!

Envision this scenario: you just started your very own small business on the competitive landscape of Long Island. A member of your family mentions to a friend that you now have a small business, so the family friend decides they need what you are offering and they become your first customer. Because you are a great business owner and run your business in a professional manner, your first customer is happy with your service! He tells a friend of his about your business, and now you have a second customer. What we've just briefly described is very simple; the typical process by which word of mouth referrals happen. But what many small business owners often fail to realize, is that SEO works the same way - yes, you incur costs to improve your rankings, but once you receive a customer via Google (or any other search engine or online campaign), that customer can then multiply into others by word of mouth. This tells us the following:Word of mouth is not exclusive to people that don't use the internet!Studies show that people who find your website via online search are actually MORE likely to tell their friends about your business, because they tend to be more technologically savvy. And the odds are that they even found you on their mobile phone - which makes it even easier for them to share your business with friends.

Every Industry Exists on Long Island

According to the New York State Department of Labor, the following are some of the top industries on Long Island:

Leisure and Hospitality (Bars, Pubs, Restaurants, etc.)Healthcare (Medical practices, Dental practices, etc.)"Other" Industries (Auto Repair, Auto Sales, Laundry Services, etc.)

Take note of these industries; they all have something in common. They are all typically made up of small businesses (yes, even Medical practices can be considered small businesses) - and there are hundreds of them on Long Island. Where SEO plays into the economic situation for small businesses is simple; there is so much competition between businesses on Long Island that both Paid and Organic Search Engine Marketing often becomes the most efficient way to keep new clients coming through your doors and not your competitors. It can become the difference between a potential long-time future customer using your service or visiting your store as opposed to a competitor.

Fun Fact: SEO Increases the Value of Your Business

While many business owners tend to be wary of initial SEO and Digital Marketing costs, they often do not realize that these costs are actually an investment in their business. The valuation of businesses no longer includes strictly brick and mortar properties; a business that is ranked highly on Google with a professional Digital Footprint is worth much more than a similar business with little to no digital presence. The reason for this is simple; a potential buyer of the business can expect to recoup the initial cost of purchasing the business much more quickly if the business is ranking well on Google and other major search engines. Higher rankings = more business, plain and simple.

If you've decided that it's time for your business to improve its Search Engine Rankings and Digital Profile, be sure tocontact usat [email protected] or (631) 938-1030 for a FREE digital marketing consultation. RTI Marketing is a Google Certified Partner and has been helping small business owners take their businesses to the next level for over 5 years. Our team of professionals will create a custom tailored Marketing Strategy for your business based on your industry, business goals and budget. No marketing campaign is the same, and as always: No Contracts. No Commitments. Just Results.