In today's digital world, establishing a strong online presence is non-negotiable for small businesses. SEO sounds so big and scary (and expensive) but there’s things you can do yourself to shift your SEO score a little and make it as ‘Google friendly’ as possible – if you’re not ready to bring in the experts and pay a monthly management fee.


What’s SEO? It stands for Search Engine Optimization and it basically means optimising your website to boost visibility, driving organic traffic (unpaid traffic from search engines like Google or Bing etc) and scaling the ranks on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). Everyone is after that illusive page one result baby!



Let’s talk fundamentals

SEO is a multifaceted beast, here’s a few basics you want to put into play.


1. Google Business Profile (formerly Google MyBusiness):
You definitely want to set up a Google Business profile if you do nothing else for your SEO… this is it. In a nutshell, Google loves itself (as it should) so it’s always going to prioritise it’s own realestate above everything else and by setting up a Business Profile you have the best chance of appearing right at the top when someone is searching for your, your business name or the services/products you populate the profile with.



2. Mastering H1 Tags:
H1 tags play a pivotal role in conveying the essence of a webpage to search engines, especially the mighty Google. Ensuring they are crystal clear, contextually relevant, and bedecked with crucial keywords is your ticket to a higher website ranking. Think about the type of keywords your ideal clients use to look for you… these should form the start of your H1 tags for each page.



2. The Content Factor:
Immerse yourself in a world of engaging, well-crafted, and original content that's rich in keywords. A well-maintained blog isn't just SEO candy; it also nourishes search engines with insights into your website's core themes. And remember, steer clear of the dangerous waters of copied or duplicate content - the SEO repercussions are not worth the shortcuts. It can actually harm your website standing and attract a penalisation from Google.



3. Elevating Video Content:
Here’s a little secret – Google has a soft spot for videos. By weaving videos into your website, you're winning Google’s gold tick. Search engines have a fondness for websites that offer a diverse range of content, and videos are the golden ticket to elevate your rankings. Create videos that enlighten and engage your target audience, and you're well on your way to SEO stardom.



4.Quality links:
We can’t emphasise the word quality here enough. You know those emails you get constantly saying ‘we can do your SEO and provides 1000s of backlinks blablabla.’ Take that rubbish and hard delete! Linking to your website from dodgy crap sites with dodgy backlinks is a huge red-flag to Google and one of the best ways to land yourself in Google jail. On the flip side, when you list your website and link to it from a quality site like our fabulous Women in Business Directory Listing – it actually does fabulolus things for your SEO. Having a link to your site from one that Google deems ‘high quality’ is like a golden stamp of credibility, and it can give your website's ranking the boost it deserves. So if you haven’t listed your business in our directory, hop to it!

SEO Rules


While the basics are your foundation, there are some golden rules that should never leave your SEO playbook:


1. The Mobile Revolution: With the mobile revolution in full swing, ensure your website shines on smaller screens. Google's mobile-first indexing means your mobile site's content is your key to ranking success.



2. Speed: The Need for Speed: In a world of impatient users, lightning-fast website load times are your best friends. Delays can drive visitors away and cast a shadow on your rankings.



3. The Local Hero: If you have a physical presence, local SEO is your loyal ally. Optimize your online presence for local searches and invite customers from your neighborhood.



4. Structured Data Brilliance: Employ structured data to give search engines a richer understanding of your content. Rich snippets and knowledge graphs make your website a standout attraction on the SERPs.



5. Regular Monitoring: Regular monitoring and analysis are your trusty sidekicks. Google Analytics, your noble steed, helps you track the performance of your SEO pursuits. Metrics like organic traffic, bounce rates, click-through rates (CTR), and keyword rankings are your compass through the wilderness. This data doesn’t just inform you; it empowers you to craft a more refined strategy.




SEO is not a one-time walk in the park; it's an ongoing marathon but the results, if it’s done well, are so worth it! Remember to continuously optimize, measure and refine your strategy based on the insights you get from your analytics and data along the way.