Did you know that if a user clicks on your Google advertisement, a “cookie” is added to their computer for only 30 days? This protects the privacy of the user, but it can mean that if your paid advertisement did not capture the user right away, then they may be lost forever. This is one reason why it is important to have natural SEO in your toolbox, organically driving your website higher in search engine results pages.

It is easier to do this than you might think. You and your staff can adopt some basic SEO tips to get started, and then eventually hire an SEO specialist to take the groundwork and improve on what has already been done.

• Step one. DIY SEO tips to start with.

Here are several SEO tips for beginners to get you started. Approximately 61% of small businesses in the U.S. do not even have a website, and if there is one thing that SEO really requires, it is a website. Your DIY small business search engine optimization starts with having a website, and connecting it to various social media networks. Also, about 43% of small businesses will spend six or more hours each week working on their social media. You do not necessarily have to put in six hours right away, but having a social media site to begin with will set you up for success when you hire a firm.

Did you know that only about half of all small businesses have a blog? Other SEO tips for beginners include making sure that your website has a blog, so that you can continue to add informative and quality content to your website, and provide a place for users to interact with you. When you offer custom content, approximately 61% of consumers are more likely to then purchase your product or service.

• Step two. Call in an SEO agency and move forward.

A search engine optimization specialist can provide you with the search engine marketing help you need to get measurable results. Between 2010 and 2011, in-house SEO activities declined from 51% to 44%. It makes a great deal of sense to outsource these services to companies with the industry knowledge, skills, and resources to make significant improvements in your internet marketing efforts. About 36% of small businesses just like yours choose to pay for tools to help them with publishing and analytics. The ROI for SEO is remarkable, and so relying on the services that an SEO firm can provide is ideal when your business does not have the people, time, or resources to carry out SEO activities.

According to Digital Buzz Blog, about 34% of marketers have successfully generated leads through Twitter. Search engine optimization is a powerful tool when basic changes get enhanced by professionals. If you are looking for SEO results, then follow these SEO tips for beginners to get started, and call in professionals to take your SEO efforts to the next level.