Content & SEO: the key to boosting organic traffic

When it comes to organic lead generation, don’t overlook the classics. SEO and content marketing continue to get great results.

Understanding the history of content marketing

Content marketing is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around for more than 100 years.

Think of the 400-page Michelin guidebooks published in 1900. They were a vast bank of content designed to promote the tyres that would be needed to visit each of the restaurants they recommended.

So while some might think of content marketing as a recent development, it isn’t. Even online content marketing is now at least 20 years old.

But why has it lasted so long? It’s simple. Because it works.

Is content marketing still growing?

In short, yes.

Today, 84% of companies have a defined content marketing strategy – a figure that’s up 7% in just one year. WordPress users publish 70 million new posts a month. And 70% of marketers are actively investing in content marketing.

Yet content marketing isn’t always a quick win. It takes thought, time, and effort to execute well. Perhaps that’s why the number one strategic content management challenge identified by companies in 2020 was having enough staff skilled in content strategy.

However, when content marketing is done well it can have a lasting impact on your site’s organic lead generation.

Why does content marketing work?

Good content marketing helps to simultaneously drive traffic and build your company’s reputation.

If your post ranks strongly in organic SEO results, it is likely to be seen as trustworthy and reliable. Trust is much higher in organic results than it is in paid results, where consumers are aware brands can ‘buy’ a prominent listing without necessarily deserving it.

Well-optimised content is also great for driving extra traffic through pay-per-click (PPC) or social media activity.

It is one of the most effective organic lead generation techniques, allowing you to target high-intent customers who are well advanced on the customer journey.

Don’t fall for these old SEO myths

When it comes to SEO, you can find a thousand different voices offering a thousand different opinions. At Monitor, all our SEO and content marketing practices are driven by ongoing studies of key factors such as the Google algorithm. Here are some myths we commonly hear – and know to be false.

1. Good content has to be long