organic:

  • denoting or characterized by a harmonious relationship between the elements of a whole: the organic unity of the integral work of art. 

  • characterized by gradual or natural development: the organic growth of community projects.

 

Organic Marketing

 

turtle lookingThe word "organic" traditionally brings to mind something natural, of nature, or untampered.  In online marketing, organic is used to describe how a business is promoted.  

 

For instance, if a person goes online to look for a pizza shop, they enter "pizza" in the search engine.  The results that appear, typically in the middle of the page, come from an "organic search."  

 

So, if you have a pizza shop, it would be great for your business to appear in the organic search.  The ROI (return on investment) could be 100%.

 

These are the main terms used in relation to "organic" online marketing. 

 

  • WOM or Word of Mouth

  • Link building

  • Keyword Optimization

 

 

 

Everybody Wants to Be a Star Online

 

monkeybiz starSome people think that by merely publishing a site, it will show up on an organic search.  Here is an example of a typical conversation: 

 

TKI: "Hello. It's a great day at the keyInsights!" (okay, okay...this is not the typical telephone greeting)

 

Client: Hi. I love the way the website came out.  But I am concerned. I told people that my site is up and they can't find me.  Is there something wrong?

 

TKI: Did they enter in your domain address in the address bar or did they look for you in a search engine? 

 

Client: I don't know. But it shouldn't matter right?  And umm didn't you add that Meta, umm -- stuff? 

 

It can feel a bit discouraging and be confusing at first.  It can take a while for a website to show up in the search engines' results.  Then, to top it all, making yourself visible on the first page of the search results (page ranking) can take even longer.  

 

 

 

Beware of False SEO Prophets 

 

angry fishThere are "best practices" for building an organic marketing plan. There are a lot of worst practices, or "black hat" tactics as well.  Beware, using these tactics can get your site pulled from the rankings altogether.  

 

Take caution with companies that give a guarantee for getting you first page rank in a short amount of time.  It may be legit, but that's doubtful.  Search engines are making new rules on the tactics that are allowed to gain ranking.  (see Razvan Gavrilas June 18, 2012 article on Search Engine Watch)

 

 

 

Do you need an online organic marketing plan for your small business?  Send a quick email to   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a complimentary consultation on how you can kickstart your plan.  You will be contacted within 24 hours.  

 

Want to show up at the top of the search page?  Would you like to have your display ad placed on a designated site? SEM may be for you...