If you want to be one step ahead of your competitors, you need to do everything in your power to outrank them in the search. Knowing and applying the most effective SEO tips and tricks will enable you to enjoy a steady flow of targeted traffic coming from Google. Ignoring SEO is nothing else but leaving money on the table.

The problem is that being on the first page of Google isn’t enough any longer to get a decent level of organic search traffic. You need to aim for the first position.

According to a study by Optify published by Search Engine Watch in 2011, websites raking first in Google received 36.4 percent CTR, while sites on the second spot scored only 12.5 percent CTR. The third position scored a CTR of just 9.5 percent.

Expert Gabe Donini at Marketing Land conducted a study that confirmed the above figures. It showed that holding the first position can bring a website double the traffic of a website ranking second. This shows how valuable the first spot is.

This means that if you don’t develop and implement an effective SEO strategy, you are missing on traffic and sales.

In some situations, even a minor improvement can help to grow organic traffic, score better click-through rates, and gain more exposure among people in your core target group.

Keep in mind that, just like any other website, e-commerce can enjoy multiple SEO benefits. If you want top rankings, start creating good content.