How Can SEO Improve Sales? REAL Stats + Our BEST 10 SEO Tactics

A solid SEO strategy can lead to a massive increase in your sales.

For instance, our effective SEO plan led to a staggering 300% increase in B2B leads for executive resume service Arielle, which boosted its traffic value from $17,000 to $73,000.

Another solid SEO strategy we developed for the influencer marketing platform inBeat increased their pipeline value to $70.45 million after skyrocketing their traffic from 600 to 300,000 monthly visitors.

This article will teach you how to get the same results.

Let’s dive in.

TL;DR:

Impact of SEO on Sales: SEO significantly enhances sales by increasing online visibility, attracting qualified traffic, and improving user experiences.

Case Studies and Results:

• Arielle, an executive resume service, saw a 300% increase in B2B leads and a traffic value jump from $17,000 to $73,000.
• inBeat, an influencer marketing platform, increased their pipeline value to $70.45 million with a surge in monthly visitors from 600 to 300,000.

Key SEO Benefits:

• Cost-Effective: SEO reduces customer acquisition costs compared to paid ads.
• Increased Traffic and Conversions: Better targeting leads to more qualified leads and higher conversion rates.
• Customer Retention: Optimized user experience retains customers and fosters loyalty.

SEO Tactics for Increased Sales:

• Focus on multiple search engines, not just Google.
• Extensive keyword research targeting transactional, navigational, and informational keywords.
• Create content tailored to different stages of the buyer's journey: informational, product-focused, and bottom-of-funnel content.
• Optimize for local SEO to attract local customers.
• Enhance mobile optimization to cater to the majority of users who access the internet via mobile devices.
• Integrate social media SEO for broader reach and engagement.
• Use on-page and off-page SEO strategies to improve site authority and traffic.
• Add a well-crafted FAQ section to address common customer queries.
• For e-commerce, enhance product descriptions and images for better conversions.

Long-Term Strategy: SEO offers long-term benefits beyond immediate sales, supporting sustained business growth.

How SEO Actually Improves Sales

Integrating SEO into your marketing strategy leads to better customer acquisition, lower costs, more conversions, and, ultimately, higher sales.

This strategic approach can drive immediate results within 1-3 months.

But more importantly, it builds a strong foundation for sustained growth.

Here are the results SEO brought for our clients in terms of ROI:

Lower Customer Acquisition Costs (Cost-Effective Approach)

SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy compared to traditional advertising methods. 

• SEO costs: $2500 – $7500 per month → long-term pipeline of clients
• Paid ads cost: $1000 to $7500 per project → short-term results

Targeting relevant keywords and optimizing your website for organic search allows you to attract potential customers on a regular basis.

That means you won’t have to deal with the ongoing costs associated with paid advertising. 

So, focusing on a sustainable SEO strategy reduces your customer acquisition costs significantly.

Better Customer Acquisition

SEO helps you attract the right audience by focusing on keywords and content that align with your target audience's needs and interests.

This targeted approach ensures that you are reaching potential customers who are more likely to be interested in your products or services.

More Qualified Leads

SEO attracts qualified traffic by targeting users actively searching for products or services like yours.

By optimizing for long-tail keywords and creating content that matches search intent, you can draw in leads who are more likely to convert.

That’s what we did for executive resume service Arielle, helping it rank first for a slew of niche keywords containing the key term “executive:”

That brings us to the next point:

More Traffic Conversions

An optimized SEO strategy can convert more website visitors into customers by providing a seamless and engaging user experience.

This involves ensuring fast load times, mobile optimization, and relevant content that keeps visitors engaged.

Better Customer Retention

SEO is great for acquiring new customers and retaining existing ones. A

n important aspect of SEO is improving their overall experience on your website. Positive user experiences lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.

Insider tip: You can target your loyal customers with specific SEO content that goes beyond making the first sale.

For example, you can create content that educates them on how to use your products more effectively, such as detailed how-to guides, maintenance tips, and advanced usage techniques.

This approach helps your customers get the most out of their purchases but also reinforces your brand as a valuable resource, encouraging repeat visits and purchases.

That was one approach we took with inBeat.

We build a slew of free marketing tools for their potential and loyal customers.

Here’s how well inBeat’s fake follower checker is ranking:

Digital Strategy Support

SEO supports your broader digital marketing strategy because it enhances your online visibility and integrates with other marketing efforts like social media and content marketing.

This holistic approach amplifies your marketing impact and drives sales.

But don’t take our word – or case studies – for it. Let’s look at the numbers.

The Role of SEO on Sales: Stats and Numbers

Search engine optimization drives sales by enhancing online visibility, attracting potential customers, and improving user experiences.

Even so, 56% of small businesses aren’t taking full advantage of SEO.

Here are some compelling statistics that highlight the impact of SEO on sales:

1. Increased organic traffic: Organic search accounts for 51% of all website traffic, significantly higher than paid search (10%) and social media (5%)​​. This underscores the importance of ranking well in search engine results.
2. Mobile search dominance: Mobile devices generate 58% of all Google searches, and 76% of people who perform a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours, with 28% of those visits resulting in a purchase​​. This highlights the necessity of mobile optimization and local SEO for driving in-store and online sales.
3. Conversion rates and SEO content: Websites with high-quality, relevant content see a 157% increase in organic search traffic​​. Additionally, 64% of shoppers are more likely to purchase after watching a branded video on social media​​. This demonstrates the power of valuable content and video SEO in converting visitors into customers.
4. User experience and engagement: Websites that load within 5 seconds see 70% longer average sessions, 35% lower bounce rates, and a 25% higher likelihood of conversion​. Technical SEO helps you optimize for speed and user experience, so it directly impacts engagement and sales.
5. Influence of positive reviews: 99% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision, and 46% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations​​. Managing online reputation and encouraging positive customer reviews through off-page SEO can significantly boost sales.
6. Local SEO impact: Local searches lead 18% of mobile users to make a purchase within one day​​. Investing in local SEO tactics, such as optimizing Google My Business profiles, can drive foot traffic and local sales.
7. Video content effectiveness: Posts with videos attract 3x more inbound links than text-only posts and increase traffic by 157%​​. Video content is essential for improving search rankings and engaging potential customers.
8. Voice search optimization: With 20% of all mobile searches conducted via voice, optimizing for voice search can enhance visibility and attract more customers​.
9. Customer behavior insights: 87% of mobile users use search engines daily, and 51% found new businesses through mobile searches​​. Keyword research tools and analytics can give you invaluable insights into customer behavior and preferences so you can make more informed marketing strategies.
10. SEO’s ROI: Over 81% of marketers report that their SEO campaigns have a positive ROI, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of SEO compared to traditional advertising methods​.

Challenges in Getting More ROI from Your SEO Efforts 

We showed you the good parts of SEO and how it can improve your sales. But we wouldn’t be honest if we didn’t discuss the potential roadblocks, too.

Knowing and addressing these challenges allows you to better optimize your SEO efforts and achieve higher ROI.

Not Leveraging SEO Tools

Learning how to use SEO tools correctly and gain insights from them is extremely hard. 

Just look at how many keyword opportunities Ahrefs suggests when asking it to perform content gap analysis for our client inBeat:

So, sifting these 1652 keyword opportunities can be tough if you’re a beginner SEO.

On the other hand, failing to use SEO tools can hinder your ability to optimize your efforts and maximize ROI.

These tools offer invaluable insights and streamline processes such as keyword research, link building, and performance tracking.

Attribution Issues

Attribution issues make it difficult to measure the true impact of your SEO efforts on sales.

Properly attributing conversions and understanding the customer journey is essential for refining your strategy and improving ROI.

No Data

Lack of data limits your ability to make informed decisions and optimize your SEO strategy.

Without data from your sales team and marketing team, you're essentially working blind, unable to identify what works and what doesn't.

That brings us to the next section, where we teach you how to solve these issues.

10 SEO Strategies to Increase Your Sales

We’ve worked with plenty of companies in different niches, boosting their revenue with SEO.

Here are the best SEO strategies that have delivered real results for us over the years.

1. Focus on All Search Engines

Optimizing for various search engines ensures you don’t miss out on potential traffic from less common sources.

Insider tip: Some of our clients started getting many qualified leads who have discovered them on Chat GPT.

And GPT is owned by Bing, so that is definitely a solid search engine to focus on.

Here’s how we put it to the test:

To leverage this info:

• Understand and adapt to different search algorithms used by search engines beyond Google, such as Bing and Yahoo.
• Use analytics tools to track performance across multiple search engines and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure your site’s content strategies cater to a broader audience by using diverse keywords and optimizing for different platforms.

Remember: Focusing on all search engines broadens your reach and lets you capture traffic from multiple sources.

Therefore, you have more chances of driving sales up.

2. Keyword Research for Sales Increase

Keyword research is a crucial step in any effective SEO strategy – arguably even more so when it comes to sales. 

Basically, you have to find the keywords and phrases that potential customers use when searching for products or services similar to yours.

Using on the right keywords in your copy lets you attract highly qualified traffic that is more likely to convert into sales.

Here are our tips:

Focus on Transactional Keywords

Transactional keywords are terms that indicate a user's intent to make a purchase.

These keywords typically include words like "buy," "order," "discount," "deal," and specific product names.

• Use keyword research tools to identify high-intent keywords.
• Examples include "buy running shoes online," "discount laptops," or "best deals on smartphones."
• Targeting these keywords helps attract users who are ready to purchase, increasing your chances of immediate sales.

Use Navigational Keywords

Navigational keywords are used when someone is trying to find a specific website or page.

These keywords might include brand names or specific product lines.

• Optimize your content with navigational keywords related to your brand and popular products.
• Ensure your website ranks for keywords like "Nike running shoes" or "Samsung Galaxy S21 store."
• This helps direct users who are already familiar with your brand to the relevant pages, facilitating quicker conversions.

Insider tip: Optimize for your misspelled brand name, too, because sometimes, users will search for that instead.

This solid corporate construction company, Turner Construction, is not optimizing for its misspelled brand name and, therefore, possibly missing an opportunity.

Don’t Neglect Informational Keywords

Informational keywords are used by users looking for answers to questions or general information.

While these keywords might not always lead to immediate sales, they are essential for attracting traffic at the top of the sales funnel.

• Create valuable content that addresses common questions and pain points related to your products.
• Examples include "How to choose running shoes" or "Benefits of 4K TVs."
• This content helps establish your brand as an authority in your niche, nurturing potential customers until they are ready to buy.

For example, our client – the famous cold-press juicer brand Hurom – ranks in the top three for hundreds of informational keywords:

How to Implement Effective Keyword Research

1. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner: Identify keywords with high search volumes and low competition. Tools like Google Analytics and Ahrefs can also provide insights into which keywords are already driving traffic to your site.
2. Analyze competitor keywords: Look at the keywords your competitors are ranking for and identify opportunities where you can compete or differentiate.
3. Focus on long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific phrases that might have lower search volumes but higher conversion rates. Examples include "best waterproof hiking boots for women" or "affordable ergonomic office chairs."
4. Monitor and adjust: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your keywords. Adjust your strategy based on what is driving traffic and conversions.

3. Best SEO Content to Boost Sales

Creating the right SEO content is essential for driving sales.

Your content should cater to different stages of the buyer's journey, from awareness to decision-making.

Here’s how to create content that boosts sales.

Informational Content

Informational content targets potential customers at the top of the sales funnel.

This type of content aims to educate and build awareness around your products or industry.

• Blog posts that answer common questions or provide helpful tips can attract visitors who are just starting their research.
• Use relevant keywords to ensure your content ranks well in search engines. For example, "how to choose the best mattress" or "benefits of using natural skincare products."
• This content helps establish your authority in the industry and nurtures potential customers until they are ready to make a purchase.

Here’s another quick example.

Our client, the fundraising intelligence software iWave, wanted to increase its organic traffic and visibility to ultimately get more quality leads.

We helped them rank with strategic blog articles that positioned them higher in search results:

As such, their organic traffic tripled in six months. 

Even better, these blog posts will bring them sustainable traffic for years to come.

Product-Focused Content

Product-focused content is crucial for attracting and converting visitors who are closer to making a purchase.

This includes detailed product descriptions, reviews, and comparisons.

• Craft high-quality content that highlights the features, benefits, and uses of your products.
• Use internal links to connect product pages with related blog posts and other content, helping visitors navigate your site and find more information.
• Incorporate customer reviews and testimonials to build trust and provide social proof.

Bottom-of-Funnel Content

Bottom-of-funnel (BOFU) content targets potential customers who are ready to make a decision.

This content should be persuasive and encourage immediate action.

• Create compelling product descriptions that address potential pain points and emphasize unique selling points.
• Develop case studies and detailed product reviews to provide in-depth information and demonstrate the effectiveness of your products.
• Use clear calls to action (CTAs), such as "Buy Now" or "Add to Cart," to guide visitors toward making a purchase.

Here’s another neat example from Hurom’s strategy.

We helped the brand rank really well for a very profitable BOFU keyword, “ginger juicer.”

We’re right below Amazon and Best Buy but above Walmart, People Also Ask, and Reddit:

Remember: This is not just us bragging.

People looking for a “ginger juicer” have a higher buying search intent, and they're finding Hurom.

How to Implement Effective Content Strategies

1. Identify your audience’s needs: Understand what your potential customers are searching for at each stage of their journey. Use keyword strategies to cater to these needs.
2. Create a content calendar: Plan your content around seasonal trends, product launches, and customer needs. Regularly update your site with fresh content to keep it relevant.
3. Optimize for SEO: Ensure all content includes target keywords, meta descriptions, and appropriate headers. This will improve your search engine rankings and visibility.

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4. Local SEO for Sales Increase

Local SEO is essential for businesses that want to attract customers in their geographic area.

Optimizing your online presence for local search can increase visibility, drive foot traffic, and boost sales.

Optimize Google My Business

Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is crucial for local SEO.

It helps your business appear in local search results and Google Maps.

• Ensure your Google My Business profile is complete and up-to-date with accurate business information, including address, phone number, and hours of operation.
• Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your GMB profile, as these can significantly impact your local search rankings.
• Use relevant keywords in your GMB description to improve your visibility for local searches.

Target Local Keywords

Incorporating local keywords into your website content helps attract potential customers who are searching for services in your area.

• Use local keywords in your content, such as "best pizza in New York" or "affordable plumbing services in Chicago."
• Include your city or region in title tags, meta descriptions, and headers to enhance local search visibility.
• Develop location-specific landing pages to cater to different areas you serve, providing detailed information relevant to each location.

Engage with Local Content

Creating content that is relevant to your local audience can drive engagement and build a strong community presence.

• Write blog posts about local events, news, or community activities. This not only attracts local traffic but also shows that your business is an active community participant.
• Share customer success stories or case studies from local clients to build trust and credibility with potential customers.
• Use local backlinks from community websites, local blogs, and directories to boost your local SEO efforts.

5. Use Social Media SEO for Sales

Social media SEO enhances your online visibility, driving more traffic and increasing sales.

By optimizing your social media profiles and content, you can attract a larger audience and improve engagement.

• Share high-quality content that incorporates relevant keywords. This boosts your content's discoverability on social platforms and search engines.
• Engage with followers and respond to customer feedback to build trust and encourage interactions. Positive engagement can lead to more shares and higher visibility.
• Use social media platforms to promote products, blog posts, and special offers. This will drive traffic to your site and help build a loyal customer base.

Remember: Leveraging social media SEO creates additional pathways for potential customers to find and interact with your brand, ultimately driving more sales.

6. Don’t Neglect On-Page SEO for More Traffic

On-page SEO involves optimizing individual web pages to rank higher and attract more relevant traffic. 

It’s not as sexy as building content, but it’s essential for increasing visibility and driving sales.

Here are just a few pro tips:

• Use meta descriptions that include target keywords to improve click-through rates from search engine results.
• Optimize your content creation process to ensure every page has valuable, informative content that engages visitors and encourages them to explore further. Remove duplicate content and avoid using grey-hat SEO tactics like keyword stuffing.
• Incorporate internal links to help users navigate your site easily and find related content, which can keep them engaged longer and reduce bounce rates.
• Optimize your title tags and URLs and use schema markup. That allows search engine crawlers to understand your website better so they can index it better. The result is that your website appears higher in search results.

Remember: Solid on-page SEO ensures that each page of your website is optimized to attract and retain visitors. Ultimately, this drives more traffic and increases sales.

7. Boost Your Qualified Leads with Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO involves activities outside your website that influence your search engine rankings.

Getting links from authoritative websites means funneling that link juice toward your website.

As a result, Google deems your website more reputable, so your rankings on search engine results increase. That will help you attract more prospective customers.

For example, we used a solid link-building strategy to help our client, Tiddle.io, outrank important dictionaries for its brand name:

Notice that we built 46 backlinks from 36 unique domains to achieve that purpose.

We also built hundreds of backlinks for our client Arielle over the years:

To get link-building right, follow these steps:

• Develop a robust backlink strategy to earn quality backlinks from reputable sites. This boosts your site's authority and visibility.
• Engage in social media marketing to promote your content and attract traffic from various platforms.
• Use link-building techniques like guest blogging and influencer outreach to expand your reach and attract more qualified leads.

Remember: Off-page SEO helps build your site’s credibility and drives targeted traffic, leading to more qualified leads and higher conversion rates.

8. How Mobile Optimization Increases Sales

Mobile optimization is crucial for increasing sales because a significant portion of online traffic comes from mobile devices. 

Remember our initial stats.

Mobile devices generate 58% of all Google searches, and 76% of people who perform a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours, with 28% of those visits resulting in a purchase​​. 

Besides, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly improves user experience and boosts conversions.

So, focus on the following issues:

• Loading speed is vital; faster load times reduce bounce rates and keep potential customers on your site longer. Use tools like Google's mobile-friendly test to check and improve your site's performance.
• Implement a responsive design to ensure your site looks and functions well on all devices. The result is an enhanced user experience, making it easier for customers to navigate and purchase.
• Optimize for mobile searches by using concise, relevant keywords and ensuring your site is easily searchable on mobile platforms. This attracts more qualified traffic, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

9. Add a FAQ Section

A well-constructed FAQ section enhances user experience, answers potential customer questions, and can lead to higher conversion rates by addressing concerns directly.

Besides, the FAQ section helps you rank for high search volume keywords that don’t allow you to create an entire article around them.

For example:

Here’s how to build a solid FAQ section:

• Use inside data from your sales department and regularly update your FAQ section to keep it relevant.
• Incorporate target keywords naturally in your questions and answers to improve visibility.
• Provide valuable insights that help customers make informed decisions, reducing barriers to purchase.

10. Bonus Tactic for Ecommerce: Improve your Product Descriptions and Product Images

Optimizing product descriptions and images is crucial for ecommerce success, as it directly influences purchasing decisions.

By improving product descriptions and images, you enhance the shopping experience, build trust, and increase the likelihood of conversion, driving more sales.

We recommend you to:

• Craft detailed and engaging product descriptions that highlight key features and benefits. Use relevant keywords to improve search visibility.
• Ensure your product images are high-quality and optimized for fast loading. Use alt text to describe the images, improving SEO and accessibility.
• Include customer reviews and ratings to provide social proof and build trust with potential buyers.

How to Use SEO for Sales

In summary, a strategic SEO approach can significantly improve your online visibility, attract qualified traffic, enhance user experience, and ultimately drive sales. 

Focusing on high-quality content, local and mobile optimization, positive reviews, and leveraging video and voice search will substantially improve conversion rates and overall sales figures. 

Even better, investing in SEO efforts not only supports immediate sales goals but also provides long-term benefits.

If you’re not sure how to get started, let’s schedule a free strategy call.

We’ll help you reach the same types of awesome results our other clients did. And that will be reflected in your sales figures.