Why SEO Matters for Small Business Websites
If you run a small business, having a website is just the beginning. Showing up when people search for your products or services online makes a huge difference. Search engine optimisation, or SEO, helps your website show up on platforms like Google and Bing. When your website ranks higher, more people can find you, visit your site, and eventually become your customers.
We know SEO might sound like a big, confusing topic, but you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. We’ll share practical tips you can use today to improve your small business website’s visibility. We’ll also chat about local SEO essentials, which are especially helpful if you serve a specific town or area.
At WebWorks Media, we work with small businesses every day. We know your time is limited, so let’s get straight to the steps that can help your website move up in the search results.
Make Sure You Understand What People Are Searching For
People use search engines in a very specific way. They type in words or phrases, which are called keywords, to find what they are looking for. One of the best things you can do is match the wording on your website to the wording your customers use.
For example, if you own a dog grooming business in Leeds, someone might search “dog groomer Manchester” or “pet grooming near me.” Use natural phrases like those on your homepage, service pages, and even in image names. Do not guess. Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner, or even just look at competitor websites and see how they write about their services.
Where to put keywords
- Page titles: The bit that appears at the top of the browser
- Meta descriptions: A short sentence seen in the search results
- Headings and subheadings: Use relevant keywords to help search engines understand the topic
- Body content: Naturally include words your customers might be searching for
- URLs: Use easy-to-read web addresses like /dog-grooming-manchester
Just be careful not to overdo it. Stuffing too many keywords into every paragraph makes your site hard to read, and search engines don’t like that either.
Keep Your Website Clean and Easy to Use
It’s not just what your site says that matters. It’s how it works. If your website loads slowly or if visitors cannot find what they need, they will leave. And when lots of people do that, search engines take it as a sign that your content is not useful.
Here are some tips to make sure your website works well:
- Make sure it loads quickly on all devices
- Use clear menus and navigation
- Keep font sizes easy to read and avoid dark background colours with light text
- Make it mobile-friendly: most users browse on phones now
If you’re not sure where to begin, you can always check out our pricing page to see how we can help with website design and speed improvements. It doesn’t have to break the bank.
Local SEO: The Secret Weapon for Small Businesses
Most small businesses serve a local area. Whether you’re a plumber in Bristol or a bakery in Glasgow, you want the people in your area to know about you. That’s where local SEO comes in.
First up, create and verify your Google Business Profile. This is a free listing that shows your business on Google Maps and in local search results.
Here’s what you should include in your business profile:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Opening hours
- Photos of your shop, products, or team
- Website link
Make sure your business details match the info on your website. This is known as NAP consistency, Name, Address, and Phone number should be the same everywhere.
It’s also a good idea to encourage your happy customers to leave a review online. Positive reviews can help your business rise to the top of local search results.
Write Blog Posts That Answer Common Questions
Adding a blog to your site is a great way to bring in more visitors. Use your blog to answer common questions your customers have. For example, if you run a garage, you could write posts like:
- “How often should I service my car?”
- “What does an MOT include?”
- “Best types of tyres for winter driving”
Each blog post is another way for customers to find your business. Search engines love sites that give helpful and original content. Just be sure to write for real people first, not just to impress search engines.
Keep it friendly, easy to understand, and focused on one main topic per post.
Link Within Your Site and Use Trusted Sources
Links are like road signs, guiding your visitors through your site. They also help search engines understand how your pages connect. Use what’s called “internal linking” by connecting relevant pages on your site. For example, if you mention a service on your home page, link to that service page.
External links are also useful. If you can link to trusted sources — official organisations or news sites — it shows that your content helps users learn more.
Need someone to help set this up? Have a friendly look at our contact page and drop us a message. We’re always happy to chat.
Use Alt Text and Name Your Images Properly
Images are not just there to make your website look nice. They also help with SEO. Google cannot see pictures like humans do, so we need to help it understand what the image is about. This is where ‘alt text’ comes in.
Alt text is a short written description of an image. It tells search engines what’s in the picture. If you’re a florist and you have a photo of a red bouquet, your alt text could be “Red wedding bouquet made with roses and tulips.”
Use simple, descriptive text, and name your image files in a helpful way. Avoid names like IMG_1234.jpg. Instead, try wedding-bouquet-red-roses.jpg.
Keep Pages Fresh and Make Site Updates Regularly
Search engines like websites that are kept up to date. That means refreshing content, adding new pages, updating event information, replacing old photos, and more. If you haven’t looked at your web pages in over a year, it’s time for a review.
Add new customer testimonials, update your team bio, or launch a seasonal offer on your homepage. Small updates show that your website is active and being looked after.
If this sounds like too much, no stress. We offer help with website updates and content tweaks. Check out who we are to learn how our team understands small local businesses.
Track What’s Working With Free Tools
It’s easy to guess how your site is doing, but numbers tell the real story. Luckily, there are free tools that help you track visitors, popular pages, and where people drop off.
Here are two useful tools:
- Google Analytics: See how many people visit your site, how long they stay, and what pages they view
- Google Search Console: Check how your site appears in search, and which words bring people to you
Use these tools once a week or so, and you’ll spot what’s bringing results and what needs improvement.
FAQs
What’s the fastest SEO improvement I can make today?
Start with your Google Business Profile. Make sure it’s complete, has the right name and contact info, a link to your website, and a few good recent photos.
Do I need a blog on my small business website?
Not required, but very helpful. A blog gives your visitors useful information and gives search engines more content to rank.
Should I hire someone to do SEO?
You can do quite a bit yourself if you follow clear steps. But hiring someone can save time and keep things running smoothly. See our prices for SEO and website help.
Why does my competitor show up higher in Google than me?
They might have been around longer, have more useful content, better reviews, or stronger links pointing to their site. Your job is to slowly catch up by improving your SEO step by step.
How often should I update my website?
At least a few times a year. Add new content, fresh photos, update contact info, and keep service pages up to date.
Ready to Make Your Website Work Harder for You?
Improving your small business website’s SEO is a step-by-step process. Make your content helpful, use the right keywords, and stay active with regular updates. Connect with nearby customers using local SEO, and give people a reason to stay on your site once they arrive.
Search engines notice when your site is clean, useful, and full of value. We know running a business takes time, but small changes now can bring lasting results.
At WebWorks Media, we help small businesses grow online. If you ever want help with SEO, web redesign, or advice on how to make your site work harder for you, feel free to reach out to us.
Let’s work together to get your website climbing the search results.
