SEO providers have been showing up in droves over the last 10 years, as more and more businesses have found themselves online, creating a demand for the search optimization services these companies offer.

Many larger brands are opting for the PPC marketing route in an effort to land themselves above the organic results, especially for local markets.

For larger businesses which have the major marketing budgets, and can duke it out with their competition in the PPC bidding construct, this may be a good plan.

Search optimization and  marketing isn't necessarily that easy for local small businesses, which may not have the budget to compete with some of the bigger organizations that are fishing in their pond.

Search engines have come along way in terms of local organic search results. Modern businesses, especially local businesses have a fighting chance there, as long as they can make it through a few hoops set up by search results providers.

It's one of the best alternatives to the big budget option. One of the reasons being, you can create a richer long-term ROI (return on investment) through the organic approach. And as mentioned before the cost is, most times, significantly lower.