If you're a digital marketer, there's a good chance you're aware of the importance of SEO. Optimizing for search allows potential customers to discover you when they're using search engines to look for keywords related to your business. However, while you might know about the importance of SEO for marketing, what you might not realize is that this year, optimizing for search is more important than ever before. Here's why.

1. Consumers Start with Search Engines

SEO is crucial because search engines remain one of the most popular destinations on the Internet. In fact, more than 93 percent of all Internet experiences begin with a search -- and there are more than 6.5 billion searches done on Google daily. By optimizing for search, you up the chances that you get seen where people are looking.

2. B2B Buyers Are Relying on Search

Search engines aren't just a resource for consumers, they're also regularly used by business decision makers. Recent studies show that 71 percent of all B2B business researchers begin their purchasing process by doing a search.

3. It Can Help You Focus Your Brand and Message

When you optimize your site for search, you focus on keywords that are relevant to what you do. By incorporating these keywords, you can help your brand discover its particular niche -- and hone the message you are trying to get across.

4. Search Ads Don't Always Work

Businesses can place paid ads at the top of search engine results pages, but recent studies have shown that searchers often don't pay attention to those ads. By focusing on SEO, you can ensure that your pages come up in organic search results -- where users are more likely to pay attention to (and trust) information.

5. More People Are Using Voice Search

More people than ever are using voice search daily. In fact, surveys have shown that 55 percent of teens and 41 percent of adults use voice search more than once a day. Unlike people are searching by typing a query, those who use voice search are not willing to do their own research. Thus, it is important that your optimize your business's site using specific keywords, since they will only display in search results if they've been optimized with very succinct and specific terms.

6. Local Search is Growing

People are now using search engines to find the brick and mortar businesses they want to visit. 72 percent of consumers who did a local search visited a store they found within five miles, which means that if you are able to optimize your site for your industry and location, there's a good chance you'll be able to take advantage of same-day business.