A recent study of search engine marketers reveals that the top two challenges they currently face are Increased Competition for Natural (Organic) Search Rankings and Increased Competition for Top Paid Search Positions.

In our small web marketing firm in Greenville, we see these exact trends even at the local level. Several years ago it was relatively easy to get top rankings in organic search for local businesses.  It’s still much easier than national campaigns, however it is becoming more and more competitive every day in most local industries. Gone are the days of doing some basic SEO, getting a few links and popping on the first page.

I regularly talk with clients and prospects about the need to get on board with organic search now.  Search engine optimization is not a one and done process.  The companies that are actively involved in SEO are building a huge lead in local search that will in some cases be insurmountable by the competitors that are late to get on board.

On the one hand, it’s a great opportunity for progressive companies to build a dominant presence online…one that will only grow as the use of digital marketing continues to expand.  On the other hand, the businesses that continue to sit on the sidelines and do nothing are going to be left behind.  When they do realize they need to get involved, the price to compete and is going to be much steeper and out of reach for many of them.