20 Tips To Do Small Business SEO Right

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile

As a small business owner, claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) should be your top priority. This free tool allows your business to appear in Google Search and Maps, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

"In today's world, it's not about who you know, it's about who knows you."
Gary Vaynerchuk (CEO of VaynerMedia)

2. List Your Business on Relevant Directories

Customers often search beyond Google for small businesses, turning to popular directories and review websites. Even if they start with a Google search, directories often dominate the results.

For example, when I was looking for a local plumber, I initially Googled "plumber near me," but I quickly found myself browsing a trusted home services directory, as it ranked higher in the search results. Getting your business listed on relevant directories increases your chances of being discovered by potential customers across different platforms.

3. Use Relevant Keywords

Finding the right keywords is important for attracting the right customers. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to discover search terms related to your products or services. Focus on 10-20 keywords for better results and incorporate them naturally into your website, including in titles, URLs, and meta descriptions.

4. Showcase Your Unique Selling Points

To stand out from competitors, highlight what makes your business unique. Use keywords that emphasize your strengths. No matter if it’s your customer service, product quality, or affordable prices, ensure your audience knows what sets you apart.

5. Keep Content Up-to-Date

SEO isn’t just about targeting keywords. It’s also about keeping your content fresh and relevant. Regularly update your website with valuable content, like blog posts and guides, that answers your audience's questions and needs. This will help improve your search rankings and build trust with your visitors.

6. Ensure Your Contact Information is Always Current

Keep your contact information up-to-date across all platforms and tools you use. This ensures customers can easily reach you if they need directions, want to make requests, or leave reviews. Accurate contact details help improve your visibility and prevent missed opportunities.

7. Collaborate Locally for Growth

Don’t just focus on big competitors. Collaborate with other local businesses and participate in community events. This helps build your presence locally and can lead to valuable backlinks, which improve your SEO.

8. Engage Customers on Social Media

Social media plays a huge role in SEO. Post customer stories, promotions, and behind-the-scenes content to engage your audience. Be sure to include relevant keywords and links to your website to drive more traffic.

Social media strategists emphasize the importance of creating organic and genuine content, particularly on social media.

"The best marketing doesn't feel like marketing."

Mari Smith (Social Media Strategist & Speaker)

9. Be Smart with Keywords

Keywords help your SEO efforts, but don’t overdo it. Stuffing keywords into your content can make it sound unnatural and damage user experience. Use keywords naturally and focus on writing for your audience, not just for search engines.

10. Build Quality Backlinks

Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are a key ranking factor. Reach out to relevant websites in your niche for backlinks. Quality is more important than quantity—focus on getting backlinks from reputable sources.

11. Create High-Quality Content

Consistently publishing helpful, informative content can significantly boost your SEO. Write blog posts, how-to guides, and tutorials that address common customer questions. High-quality content establishes your business as an authority in your industry and keeps visitors coming back.

"SEO is about delivering great content that answers users' questions."

Rand Fishkin (Co-founder of Moz & SparkToro)
"The best marketing is helping, not selling."

Jay Baer (Founder of Convince & Convert):

12. Create Pages for your Products or Services

Create dedicated pages for each product or service to highlight what you offer and boost your SEO. Include clear descriptions, images, and relevant keywords to help customers make informed decisions and take the next step, such as purchasing or reaching out to you.

13. Make Your Website User-Friendly

A well-organized, easy-to-use website enhances user experience and boosts SEO. Ensure your site loads quickly, has a clean design, and uses a clear structure to help visitors find what they need. Google rewards user-friendly websites with higher rankings.

14. Optimize for Mobile

With more people browsing the internet on mobile devices, it's essential to have a mobile-friendly website. Google ranks mobile-friendly websites higher, so make sure your site looks great and functions smoothly on smartphones and tablets.

Google tweaks search algorithms to favor sites that look good on smartphone screens.

Rolfe Winkler

Must See: Mobile SEO Checklist __ A Complete Guide

15. Track Your SEO Progress

Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s performance. Monitor metrics like website traffic, bounce rates, and keyword rankings to assess the effectiveness of your SEO strategy. Adjust your approach based on this data for better results.

16. Keep URLs Short and Clear

Short and descriptive URLs make it easier for search engines to understand your content. Try to include your target keyword in your URL, and keep it under 60 characters for better SEO results.

17. Conduct Regular Website Audits

A website audit helps identify issues that could affect your SEO performance, such as broken links, slow loading speeds, or missing pages. Regular audits ensure your website is running smoothly and optimized for search engines.

18. Use Both Internal and External Links

Use internal links to connect pages within your website. This helps visitors find related content and keeps them engaged longer. External links (backlinks) from reputable sites also improve your SEO by showing search engines that your site is credible.

19. Be Patient—SEO Takes Time

Monfette says a long-term approach to SEO is key.

Great results take time. You can write something new and not see any results for six months.”

SEO is a long-term strategy, and results can take months to show. Be patient and stay consistent with your efforts. Track your progress, adapt to changes, and keep refining your strategy to achieve long-term success.

20. Aim for the First Page of Search Results

Studies show that 75 % of users don’t click past the first page of search results. To drive more traffic, aim to rank on the first page for your target keywords. Focus on creating high-quality content, building backlinks, and optimizing your website for a better chance to appear in top positions.