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Have you ever really considered Search Engine Optimization (SEO) from the perspective of the consumer?

Usually I talk about SEO in terms of helping business owners get more business as their site shows up sooner in searches. While this is a noble and profitable goal I want you to place yourself in the shoes of a consumer.

In other articles I have talked about the entitlement mentality that is rampant among website users. They want information ' and they want it right now.

That's where your hard work with SEO strategies matches up with the consumers demand for immediacy. It is possible that a search engine user will need to back up and refine their search from time to time, but for the most part they'd like to find what they want to find on the first search. When you do an effective job and maximizing SEO within your site the consumer can access your information sooner.

The sooner they find you the sooner they can determine if they want to spend money with you. Isn't that what you want?

Business is always geared toward the needs and expectations of consumers. Without that motivation the role of business would be stagnant with an unhappy buying public.

If your site caters to the needs of consumers within the site then you should pay close attention to the way they find you.

I've conducted thousands of online searches, just like you, and it can be frustrating when I really need to find something very specific and it becomes clear that the site I ultimately find it on hasn't applied correct SEO to their site. If it weren't for the fact that I really wanted a product I would have given up much sooner and determined I could live without whatever it is I thought I wanted.

In many ways your search ranking is a bit like a flexible yellow pages listing in a phone book. You have the power to improve the way search engines view and rank your site, but too many times business owners act as if this should be of little concern and their listing slips to the bottom of the list.

You may be able to improve visitation through buzz or viral marketing. However, since most business owners want to spend more time doing business than working on viral marketing then a firm foundation in SEO is a pretty important consideration.

Consumers don't need or even want you to explain how and why you developed SEO strategies. Most of them won't know what that is, nor will they really care. All they really know for sure is they wanted to find something specific online and they found it in your site.

If consumers really understood SEO they would be the first to tell you to make that a priority if you want their business. If you don't use SEO to your advantage you are banking on the notion that your potential customers enjoy finding your business in the same way someone finds a proverbial needle in a haystack.

If you don't want to pursue SEO for your own sake then at least think of your customer's needs.