These charts show the growth in traffic of one of my online stores from its startup in 2006 to date as a result of search engine optimization AND improving web usability and content. Like everything in life that has high value, this took a lot of work and ongoing effort to achieve and maintain. Anyone who tells you differently is full of...well...balogna!

2006 Growth in Traffic

2007 Growth in Traffic

2008 Growth in Traffic

2009 Growth in Traffic

2010 Growth in Traffic to Date 5/12/10

• Search engines use algorithms to determine where your page ranks in the search results. The reality is that those algorithms can and do change from time to time and it can affect your position. At the same time there are certain basic things you can do make sure your pages don't drop out of sight.
• The search terms people use to find your product or service can and do change. You need to monitor this information so you can adjust to your customers.
• Your competitors will get better in their web efforts because there's just too much money at stake to do otherwise. You have to watch this and react to it. There's also some common sense steps you can take on an ongoing basis to help assure that your page ranks well in the search results.

Understand up front that to be successful with Search Engine Optimization you have to treat it the same as any other business process like receivables, payables, whatever. But if you want to grow or even survive in an increasingly "Cyber World" it's something you're going to have to learn and address or the consequences will find you.

Click here to find out who should understand search engine optimization...