We think search engine optimization is so important that we are going to give you this blog post’s key takeaway first. Here it is:
SEO helps your small business be not so small.
Only if you have no interest in growing or maintaining your business can you rightfully ignore SEO. If growth matters to you, please listen up. And a quick note before we start: SEO simply means making your website easier for search engines to find, understand, and recommend. That is the whole idea. Here is what it does for you at the most basic level.
1. Be visible.
This one is a no-brainer. The easier you are to find, the more likely you are to sell your stuff. And “being found” covers more ground than it used to: Google results now include map listings, review snippets, and AI-generated answer summaries, and all of them draw on the same underlying signals. The time you invest here saves your potential customers time on their end, at the exact moment they are looking for what you offer.
2. Earn credibility.
Mark yourself as an expert in your field by making your online presence stand out. This can be accomplished on your:
- Website
- Blog
- Google Business Profile
- Social media pages
- YouTube
- Guest posts and podcasts
3. Beat your competition.
The better managed your SEO practices are, the more likely you are to outshine your competition in online searches. And what good entrepreneur does not want that? In most local markets the bar is lower than you would think; a well-structured site with accurate information beats a prettier site with none.
The Best Part of SEO? It Is Cost-Effective and Measurable.
Cost-effectiveness and measurability are a match made in entrepreneurial heaven, so let’s focus on what you can do without spending a dime.
Here are four steps to take right now to build a solid SEO foundation:
1. Make a list of keywords.
These are the words that people type into search engines to find your business. Give yourself an advantage by targeting what people search at the moment they are ready to buy.
Pro tip #1: Include both short and long tail keywords.
- Short tail keywords are generic terms that target large groups of potential customers. Example: “coffee shop,” “computer repair.”
- Long tail keywords are longer phrases that target a niche instead of a mass audience. They are more specific and typically less competitive. Example: “nutrition coaching for women over 40 in Cleveland.”
Pro tip #2: Google’s free Keyword Planner will show you what your customers actually search for and roughly how often.
2. Claim your free listings.
Set up (or claim) your Google Business Profile and make sure your hours, phone number, and address are correct everywhere they appear online. For a local business this single free step often moves the needle more than anything else on this list.
3. Create and share your content.
Use your keywords naturally throughout your website and brand messaging. It is okay if the words change over time; as your business grows, they will. But right now, use what you have found.
4. Measure!
The glorious part about SEO is that you can measure how well it performs. Two free tools do the heavy lifting: Google Analytics shows you who visits your site and what they do there, and Google Search Console shows you the actual searches that led people to you, plus any problems Google found while crawling your site. If you set up only one, make it Search Console.
At KJONGSys, we can take care of all the SEO needs for your business. To get started, just visit our get in touch page and we will set up a free consultation!