B2B SEO Statistics: 18 SEO Facts You Need to Know as a Small Business Owner

As a small business owner, you focus on numbers, all day long, every day of the year. Whether it’s inventory, price increases, profit margins, year over year comparisons or something else, you’re always crunching numbers. But when was the last time you crunched the numbers on your small business website?

Where do you place in the search engine results pages (SERPs)? What’s your click-through rate (CTR)? What’s your bounce rate? What’s your conversion rate? How fast does your site load? Why does any of that matter?

All of that matters because if done right, implementing SEO best practices on your website can increase traffic, the CTR, and conversions, as well as decrease your bounce rate.

If your website is simply a business card online, you may want to take a look at some of these SEO statistics. They may help convince you that the time to embrace local SEO is now. Let’s take a look.

Search Statistics

A whopping 97% of consumers do online research before making a major purchase of goods or services. (BIA/Kelsey)
The #1 result in Google search results gets nearly 32% of all clicks. (BackLinko)
The #1 organic result is 10 times more likely to receive a click than the result in the #10 spot. (BackLinko)
75% of people never make it past the first page of SERPs. (HubSpot)
61% of B2B marketers say SEO and organic traffic generate more leads than any other marketing strategy.
SEO efforts bring in 1000% more traffic than organic social media. (BrightEdge)

Understanding Search Engines

Search engines are the backbone of the internet, providing users with a platform to find information, products, and services. Google, Bing, and Yahoo are the most popular search engines, with Google holding the largest market share. These search engines use complex algorithms to crawl, index, and rank websites based on factors like relevance, authority, and user experience. Understanding how search engines work is crucial for developing an effective SEO strategy. By knowing what search engines look for, you can tailor your website to meet these criteria, improving your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

Search Engine Optimization vs PPC

70% of online marketers say that SEO generates more sales than PPC. (Databox)
Nearly 80% of people ignore paid search results (ads) and only click on organic search results.
Nearly 27% of internet users use ad blockers. (BackLinko)
Inbound leads from search engines have a 14.6% close rate, compared to the 1.7% close rate for outbound leads (ex. mailers, billboards, cold-calling, etc.). (BackLinko)

None of these SEO vs PPC statistics are meant to say there is not a place for PPC ads. When you use them together you cover all of the bases in online marketing. PPC can be most lucrative when you are just beginning an SEO strategy, as it can take a few months for your campaign to gain traction.

Local SEO Statistics

“Where to buy” + “near me” mobile queries have grown by more than 200% from 2017–2019. (Think With Google)
18% of people making local searches end up making a purchase within 24 hours. (BackLinko)
Nearly 50% of Google searches have local intent.

Visit our Local SEO page to learn more about why local SEO is so important if you have a brick-and-mortar store or a defined local service area.

Mobile Statistics

Ranking in position #1 in mobile search results in you getting 27.7% of the clicks, while ranking in position #1 on desktop gets you 19.3% of the clicks. (SEOClarity)
60% of smartphone users will contact a business directly from the search results. (Think with Google)
63% of U.S. Google search traffic originates on a mobile device. (Merkle)

You can’t afford for your mobile website to be an afterthought. Be sure your website has responsive web design so it looks good and works well on any device, or have your web designer design a separate mobile site. Different strategies work for different businesses.

SEO and Page Speed Statistics

Your bounce rate can increase by 32% as page load time goes from 1 to 3 seconds. (Think with Google)
53% of mobile visitors to your website will leave if it takes more than 4 seconds to load.

One other note about page load times – Google now considers page speed a major ranking factor, so even if the rest of your website is beautiful with great content and optimized for SEO, it it’s slow like a sloth, Google will bury you.

Factors Affecting Search Engine Rankings

Several factors affect search engine rankings, and understanding these can help you improve your website’s visibility. Keyword research is the foundation, helping you identify relevant keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for. High-quality content that provides value to users and authoritative backlinks from reputable sites can significantly boost your rankings. Additionally, mobile-friendliness and page speed are critical for a smooth user experience, which search engines prioritize. Technical optimization, such as improving website architecture and ensuring proper indexing, also plays a vital role in enhancing your search engine rankings.

The Importance of Mobile and Local Search

Mobile and local search are becoming increasingly important for businesses. With the majority of users accessing the internet through mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for search engine rankings. A responsive design ensures that your site looks and functions well on any device, providing a better user experience. Local search is also vital for businesses with physical locations, as it helps attract local customers and drive foot traffic. Optimizing for local search involves claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing, building high-quality local citations, and creating location-specific content that resonates with your local audience.

The Rise of Voice Search and Video Content

Voice search and video content are changing the way users interact with search engines. Voice search is becoming increasingly popular, with users relying on voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant to find information quickly. To optimize for voice search, focus on using natural language and long-tail keywords that match how people speak. Video content is also on the rise, with YouTube being the second-largest search engine in the world. Creating high-quality, engaging videos that answer user queries can significantly boost your visibility. Ensure your videos are optimized with relevant keywords, descriptions, and tags to improve their chances of appearing in search results.

The Importance of Technical Optimization

Technical optimization is a critical aspect of SEO that involves improving website crawlability, indexing, and page speed. This includes optimizing your website’s architecture, using schema markup, and ensuring your site is secure and mobile-friendly. Technical optimization helps search engines understand your website’s structure and content, which can improve your search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic. By prioritizing technical optimization, you can enhance your online visibility, provide a better user experience, and ultimately drive more conversions. Ensuring your website is technically sound is a foundational step in any successful SEO strategy.

18 SEO Statistics You Need to Know as a Small Business Owner