A Basic Guide for Small Business Owners

SEO is a term that gets thrown around so I want to help you to understand what it actually is.

One thing worth noting: I’m familiar with SEO and I include SEO foundations in my website design services, but I’m not a technical SEO specialist. If SEO is a high priority for you, I’d recommend working with an expert. I can point you in the right direction.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation and it is what effects how visible you are search engines such as Google. When someone types something into Google, Google doesn’t just randomly pick which websites to show, it works through millions of pages and decides which ones are most relevant to that particular search. It is the process of making your website one of the results that Google will show.

The better your SEO, the higher up the search results your website appears.

I also recommend taking a look at the Google explanation for SEO and how Google search works.

How does SEO work?

There are lots of different factors that affect how your website performs in search results. Some of these are about your website itself, others go beyond it.

On your website:

✦ How your text and headings are organised on each page

✦ The words and phrases you use throughout your content

✦ The descriptions attached to your images

✦ How easy your website is to navigate

Beyond your website:

✦ Your Google Business Profile and how complete it is

✦ The number and quality of your Google reviews

✦ How often you publish helpful, relevant blog content

✦ Other websites that link back to yours

Google looks at all of these together and uses them to decide where to rank your website when someone searches. This isn’t an exhaustive list, SEO is a broad topic and there’s a lot more to it than what’s covered here.

Does your website need SEO?

Short answer: yes

Longer answer: it depends on how you want people to find you

If your entire client base comes through referrals and word of mouth, you might not feel the absence of SEO immediately. But it is a brilliant marketing tool so why not have it in place from day one when it’s only going to help your business.

Here is what good SEO can do for your business:

✦ Helps potential clients find you when they are actively searching for what you offer

✦ Drives organic traffic to your website without you having to pay for advertising

✦ A long-term strategy that keeps working in the background over time

✦ It puts you ahead of competitors (a surprising number of small businesses still overlook SEO entirely, so having it in place gives you a genuine advantage)

✦ An optimised website is professional and trustworthy

It is not the only marketing strategy you need but it is one of the most cost-effective ones available to a small business. And once it is working, it works for you around the clock.

How long does SEO take to work?

SEO isn’t instant. You might start to see some pages appearing in search results within a few weeks, but meaningful, consistent traffic typically takes longer to build. How long depends on your industry, your location and how much competition you’re up against. For some businesses this is a few weeks. For others it’s several months.

That said, the foundational work should be done from day one. There is no good reason to build a website without it – it can be a powerful marketing tool so why not make the most of it.

SEO Myth Busting

“I need to fill my pages with keywords.” Google will penalise pages that are clearly over-optimised. Keywords matter, but natural, readable copy always wins.

“SEO is a one-time job.” It is ongoing. Google updates its algorithm regularly and your website needs to keep up. That said, getting the basics right from the start sets a solid foundation.

“My website doesn’t need SEO because I’m on social media.” Social media and SEO do different jobs. Social media builds awareness. SEO captures people who are actively searching for what you do.

How I can help

I include a certain level of SEO into every website that I design. My Bespoke Websites includes a higher level of optimisation and my Website in a Week Projects include a basic level of optimisation. For your ongoing needs, we can discuss this further during our enquiry call.

If you are ready to invest in a website built strategically from the ground up, take a look at my website packages to find out more. And if you would like to speak with a technical SEO expert then two people who work in this space are Amy at Mango & Wild and Jodie at Nowhere to No.1. Please note I recommend you do your own research before working with anyone to ensure they are the right fit for you