The Beginner’s Guide to Simple SEO for Small Businesses

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. For small businesses, SEO is one of the most effective ways to get free traffic, increase visibility, and grow your audience — all without needing a big budget or technical expertise.

In this guide, you’ll find simple, actionable steps to improve your website’s rankings, attract more visitors, and build a strong digital presence.

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving your website so it ranks higher in search results like Google. Higher rankings mean more people find your site organically (without ads).

Why Does SEO Matter for Small Businesses?

• Free Traffic: SEO brings consistent, unpaid traffic to your website.
• Compete with Bigger Brands: A well-optimised website can outrank larger competitors for specific searches.
• Build Trust and Credibility: People trust businesses that rank highly on Google.

Step 1: Keyword Research

Keywords are the foundation of SEO. They’re the words or phrases people type into search engines to find information. Finding the right keywords ensures you’re creating content your audience is actively searching for.

How to Find the Right Keywords

Think Like Your Customers. What problems do they need solved? What products or services are they searching for? Example: A local plumber might target “how to fix a leaky tap” or “plumbers in Brisbane.”

Use Free Keyword Tools such at the ones below, and check out our article on keyword research without paid tools.

• Google’s People Also Ask: Type in a keyword to find related questions.
• Ubersuggest: Check search volumes and competition for keyword ideas.
• AnswerThePublic: Discover common questions people ask about your industry.
• Focus on Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are specific phrases like “how to improve café sales” rather than broad ones like “sales tips.” These are easier to rank for and bring highly targeted traffic.

Example of Keyword Research in Action

Keyword: “How to boost café sales.”

Content Idea: “5 Simple Marketing Tips to Increase Café Sales”

Placement: Add the keyword in your title, headings, meta description, and the first 100 words of your content.

Step 2: On-Page SEO

On-page SEO refers to optimising individual pages on your website for search engines. It ensures your content is easy to read, engaging, and properly structured.

For a step-by-step breakdown see our On Page SEO Guide.

Tips for On-Page SEO

1. Include Keywords Naturally: Use your main keyword in the title, headings, and throughout the content (but don’t overdo it).
2. Write an Engaging Meta Description: A short summary that appears under your page title in search results. Example: “Learn how small businesses can improve SEO and grow traffic with simple, actionable tips.”
3. Use Internal Links: Link to other pages or blog posts on your site to help readers find more content and improve site navigation.
4. Optimise for Mobile: Most searches happen on mobile devices, so ensure your site is responsive and looks good on small screens.
5. Add Alt Text to Images: Describe your images in the alt text to improve accessibility and help search engines understand your visuals.

Step 3: Create Evergreen Content

Evergreen content remains relevant and useful over time. It’s an investment that continues to drive traffic long after it’s published.

How to Create Evergreen Content

• Answer common customer questions.
• Write how-to guides, tutorials, and checklists.

Examples:

• “How to Improve Your Plumbing Business with Online Reviews”
• “5 Easy SEO Tips for Beginners”

Step 4: Build Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They’re one of Google’s top ranking factors because they signal your site is valuable and credible.

How to Get Backlinks

1. Write Guest Posts: Contribute articles to blogs in your niche with a link back to your site.
2. Share Your Content in Communities: Post helpful tips in forums or groups and include a link to your guide or blog.
3. Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with other businesses to cross-promote each other’s websites.

Step 5: Local SEO for Small Businesses

If your business has a physical location, local SEO is essential. If you run a small business with a local presence read our Local SEO Guide.

Local SEO Tips

1. Claim Your Google My Business Listing: Ensure your business appears in local search results with accurate details (name, address, phone, and hours).
2. Encourage Reviews: Ask happy customers to leave reviews on Google. Positive reviews improve your local ranking.
3. Use Location Keywords: Include terms like “café in Sydney” or “best plumber in Brisbane” in your content and meta descriptions.

Step 6: Track Your Progress

Use free tools to monitor your SEO efforts:

1. Google Search Console: See which keywords and pages are driving traffic.
2. Google Analytics: Understand how visitors interact with your site, including bounce rates and session times.
3. PageSpeed Insights: Check your site speed and get tips to improve it.

SEO Glossary

Here’s a quick reference for key SEO terms:

SEO: Improving your website to rank higher in search engines.

Keywords: Words or phrases people search for online.

Long-Tail Keywords: Specific, less competitive search phrases.

Meta Description: A short summary that appears in search results.

Backlinks: Links from other websites to yours.

Evergreen Content: Content that stays relevant over time.

On-Page SEO: Optimising individual pages for keywords, links, and structure.

Google My Business: A free tool to manage your business’s local presence.

Conclusion

SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple steps — researching keywords, optimising your content, creating evergreen posts, and building backlinks — you can start attracting more visitors to your site and growing your business.

As you scale, consider a Customer Data Platform so your marketing tools share the same audience view.

Take the next step:

Ready to learn more? Download our Small Business Content Publishing Guide to create, grow, and convert your audience into loyal customers.