Hi! That is a great question.

Launching a new website without SEO is often compared to opening a shop in the middle of a desert: the shop might be beautiful, but if there are no roads leading to it, no one will visit.

Here is why SEO is critical specifically for new websites:

1. Brand Awareness (Getting Found)
Since the website is new, nobody knows your brand name yet. Users will not search for "YourCompany.com"; they will search for the products or services you offer (e.g., "best running shoes" or "plumber near me").

The SEO Role: It ensures your site appears for these generic terms, introducing your brand to potential customers who didn't know you existed.

2. Building Trust and Credibility
Users tend to trust search engines. If Google ranks your new site on the first page, it acts as a "vote of confidence."

The Reality: New websites often lack authority. By optimizing your content and technical structure, you signal to both Google and users that you are a legitimate, professional business, not a spammy temporary site.

3. Sustainable Traffic (Cost Efficiency)
You can get traffic immediately by paying for ads (PPC), but the moment you stop paying, the traffic stops completely.

The Investment: SEO is a long-term strategy. It takes time to kick in, but once you rank high, you receive "free" traffic 24/7 without paying for every single click. For a new business with a limited budget, this is crucial for long-term survival.

4. Improving User Experience (UX)
Google rewards sites that are fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.

The Benefit: Good SEO forces you to build a better website. This means the few visitors you do get are more likely to stay, browse, and buy, rather than leaving because the site is slow or broken.