Agencies role is to explain to SMBs that their business either shows in the listings when a search is performed or they do not and SEO is a primary reason for this. Agencies offering should show potential clients all the places where there is an opportunity to be visible for customers, and explain that SEO provides them the best chance to rank and be highly visible in those areas.
Is it important or necessary and why?
Definitely Important. 50% of consumers who conducted a local search on their smartphone visited a store within a day. If they don’t come up their competition will.
Will it be required and why?
SEO needs to be a staple offering for many of the reasons mentioned above. The internet will always populate listings for businesses and there will always be a fight to be the one that comes up highest. The methodology, and where the listings show may change, but the listings themselves will always be worth money.