SEO for Beginners

A Step-by-Step Guide to SEO for Small Businesses

So you've built a website to promote your small business—and that's a great place to start—but having a beautiful website isn’t enough. You need your website to come up when potential clients or customers are searching for your business online.

That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. If you’ve ever wondered how some businesses seem to magically appear at the top of a Google search, it’s not luck. It’s SEO.

This guide will break down the essential first steps of website SEO for small businesses and entrepreneurs, so you can boost your online visibility, attract more visitors, and grow your business with confidence.

Plus, we’ve included a free SEO Checklist to make sure nothing gets missed!

So let's get started on improving your SEO!

1. Identify Relevant Keywords

Keywords are the bridge between what people are searching for and the content you offer. Using the right keywords helps search engines understand your website and connect you with potential clients looking for your services.

How to do it:

• Think about the words or phrases your ideal clients would type into Google to find you.

• Try searching those terms yourself—do the results look like what you offer?

• Mix it up! Use both short keywords (like “virtual assistant”) and long-tail phrases (like “SEO help for small businesses”).
  

  

Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it. Start with 5-10 keywords or phrases that feel natural for your business.

2. Optimize Each Page

Optimizing each individual page will give search engines a clear idea of what your website is all about. It will also help direct your audience to the page of your site that has the information they're looking for. Follow these steps to optimize your site.

• Give every page a clear Title Tag: This is what shows up in Google search results. It should be short, descriptive, and include your main keyword.
  

• Write keyword-rich meta descriptions: This is the little blurb under your page title in search results. Make it inviting and include your keywords naturally.
  

• Structure your headings: Use H1 for your main page title, H2 for section headings, and H3 for sub-points. This helps both readers and search engines understand your content.
  

• Use keywords naturally: Sprinkle your keywords throughout your content, but don’t force them. If it sounds awkward, rewrite it.
  

• Add alt text to images: Describe what’s in the image and, where it makes sense, use a relevant keyword. This helps with accessibility and SEO.

3. Tackle the Technical SEO Basics

Even if your website looks great, a few behind-the-scenes technical details can improve your SEO. These might sound intimidating, but they’re actually pretty straightforward—and they make a huge difference in how both visitors and search engines experience your site.

First, make sure your website is mobile-friendly. These days, most people are browsing on their phones or tablets, so your site needs to look good and function smoothly no matter the device. If your site is clunky or hard to navigate on mobile, visitors will bounce—and search engines will notice.

Next, take steps to secure your site by switching from HTTP to HTTPS with an SSL certificate. Not only does this protect your visitors’ information, but it also signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy.

Pro Tip: If you're not sure how to do any of these things, a quick YouTube search can often find a step by step walkthrough!

It’s also important to keep an eye out for broken links—those pesky “page not found” errors, or links that go to the wrong place. Regularly check your site for any dead ends and update or remove them as needed. Broken links can frustrate visitors and negatively impact your SEO.

Finally, don’t forget about internal linking. Make sure every page on your site is connected, whether that’s through your main navigation menu or by linking related pages within your content. This helps visitors find what they’re looking for and makes it easier for search engines to crawl your site.

4. Blogging & Posting Regularly

One of the best ways to show search engines that your website deserves attention is to keep it active and up to date. Regularly adding fresh content—whether it’s new blog posts, videos, or even simple updates—signals that your site is relevant and worth ranking higher. Plus, it gives your audience a reason to keep coming back.

When you publish something new, don’t just let it sit there—share it! Encourage your readers to spread the word on social media. Every time your content gets shared, it has the potential to reach a wider audience and, even better, earn backlinks from other reputable sites. These backlinks are like little votes of confidence for your website and can give your SEO a real boost.

If staying consistent feels overwhelming, try creating a simple content calendar. Even setting a goal of one new post a month can make a noticeable difference over time. The key is to keep showing up—both for your audience and for those search engines watching in the background.

Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid

• Keyword Stuffing: Using your keywords too many times makes your content sound unnatural and can actually hurt your rankings. Use keywords often, but naturally throughout your website and metadata.
  

• Overlooking Site Speed: A slow-loading website frustrates visitors and can cause them to leave before your page even loads. Search engines notice this too—site speed is a ranking factor!
  

• Ignoring Local SEO: If you’re a small business or entrepreneur serving a specific area, not optimizing for local searches is a missed opportunity. Make sure your business info is accurate on Google My Business and other directories, and include your location naturally in your content.

  
  

Getting started with SEO for small businesses and entrepreneurs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a more visible and potentially more successful website.

Want an easy way to stay on track? Download our free Beginner’s SEO Checklist!

And if you need a little extra SEO help, we’re here for you.

Need a hand getting started?

Contact Us today to book your Consultation Call.