Only 20% of small businesses allocate resources to search engine optimization (SEO), yet over 90% of online sessions commence with a search on platforms like Google or Bing. This underscores the necessity of SEO for small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMBs). If your small business requires SEO support, this concise guide is a valuable asset for your team.
It includes a FAQ section addressing common inquiries about SEO for small businesses, along with nine actionable SEO tips tailored to SMBs. Dive into these insights to kickstart your SEO journey for your business’s website. Alternatively, for professional SEO services designed for small businesses, reach out to us at 888-601-5359 or contact us online to discuss with a seasoned strategist.
Understanding SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) encompasses a suite of strategies aimed at enhancing a website’s visibility in search results on Google, Bing, and other search engines.
By boosting visibility in pertinent search results, your company can engage with your target audience during their search for products or services.
How SEO Functions
The cornerstone of SEO is the creation of high-quality content on your website that addresses your audience’s search queries. Since search engines like Google prioritize delivering the highest quality, most relevant results, it’s crucial to ensure your content meets these standards. A range of methods can be employed to achieve this.
Examples of SEO tactics include:
Optimizing pages with targeted keywords
Enhancing page speed for faster loading
Redesigning your website for a superior user experience
Generating new optimized content for your site
And more!
Types of SEO
There are various forms of SEO suitable for different businesses and their target audiences. Local SEO, for instance, focuses on location-based searches, including those with “near me” queries. This type of SEO helps your site rank for such searches, attracting nearby customers.
Benefits of SEO for Small Businesses
SEO is a valuable online marketing strategy for all businesses, including small ones. Given that 80% of consumers and over 70% of business buyers conduct product research using search engines, the significance of SEO is undeniable.
As a result, nearly 90% of marketers consider SEO a successful strategy. The impact of SEO on small businesses is even more pronounced compared to larger corporations. With SEO, small businesses can tap into a fresh pool of customers through search results that are less influenced by major brand names.
Additionally, there’s an opportunity to capture local searches, which convert at a high rate of 80%. When Google has access to a user’s precise location, the search results are typically localized. For instance, a consumer in Philadelphia searching for “coffee shops” will likely see local options rather than those in Dallas, Texas.
Ranking in local search results through local SEO strategies is a powerful way to attract new customers without the need for costly advertising space. Clicks on your website from search results are free, and even with a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign, you can allocate a budget that suits your needs. This is why PPC and SEO are among the most cost-effective online marketing strategies.
SEO Costs for Small Businesses
SEO costs for small businesses can vary depending on the agency chosen. Typically, SMBs invest between $1500 and $5000 per month in SEO.
It’s important to note that SEO is a continuous strategy that requires ongoing time and investment to be effective. This is why many small businesses eventually opt to work with an agency.
Essential SEO Tools for Small Businesses
Key SEO tools for small businesses include:
Ahrefs: Gain insights into your website’s performance and that of competitors with this premium tool.
Screaming Frog: Conduct comprehensive technical SEO audits with this free website crawler.
KeywordsFX: Uncover valuable keywords for your industry and business.
Don’t forget to leverage Google My Business, Google Analytics, and Google Search Console, which can significantly enhance your SEO efforts.
In-House vs. Agency Management of SEO
Deciding whether to manage your small business SEO in-house or partner with an agency depends on your company’s resources and capabilities. Many businesses initiate their SEO efforts internally before partnering with an experienced agency, recognizing that SEO demands both time and expertise.
Managing SEO in addition to daily responsibilities involves monitoring your strategy, implementing improvements, and continually updating content. An agency can offer numerous advantages, such as expertise, resources, and talent. However, if an agency is not feasible, having any SEO strategy in place is better than none.
Selecting an SEO Agency for Small Businesses
When seeking an SEO agency for small businesses, consider the following tips:
Review their testimonials and case studies to gauge their work and client experience.
Inspect their portfolio to assess their past projects and outcomes.
Examine their SEO pricing to ensure it aligns with your budget.
The best SEO agencies for small businesses are transparent about their pricing and experience and boast a wealth of reviews, testimonials, and case studies. Be wary of “cheap” SEO services, as they often lack value and deliver poor customer service. Choose an agency that aligns with your business goals and approach to small business SEO.
Once you find an agency that seems like a good fit, discuss your business objectives and explore their team and approach. This will help you determine if they are the right choice for your business.
For a comprehensive list of SEO tips for small businesses, refer to these nine strategies. They will help you initiate your SEO journey and drive more qualified traffic to your website.
1. Establish a Google Analytics Account
Investing in SEO for your small business necessitates the use of Google Analytics. This free tool offers invaluable insights into your website’s performance. For example, you can see how many page views a particular page on your site receives.
Moreover, you can measure crucial SEO metrics, like a page’s bounce rate. You can also track website conversions, which you can customize according to your business goals. For instance, if you run an e-commerce store, your conversions might include product purchases, contact form submissions, and sign-ups for promotional emails.
Before embarking on SEO for your small business, create a Google Analytics account and follow Google’s step-by-step guide to link your website to Google Analytics. Your team can also benefit from Google’s Analytics Academy, offering free courses on using Google Analytics.
2. Register with Google Search Console
Google Search Console is an indispensable tool for small business SEO. Similar to Google Analytics, Google Search Console provides additional insights into your website’s performance, specifically focusing on your site’s presence in Google search results.
Given Google’s dominant market share, optimizing for Google search is crucial in small business SEO. Features of Google Search Console include:
Receiving alerts for errors Google identifies on your site
Submitting your site’s sitemap and pages for Google to crawl
Viewing page rankings in specific search results
Monitoring clicks and impressions from search results
And more!
Use this small business SEO tip to gather valuable data for your SEO strategy. Create your Google Search Console account, add your website, and link it to Google Analytics for a unified data view.
3. Claim Your Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is essential for any small business, whether local, national, or global. This free service offers a business listing that appears in Google search results. It’s quick and straightforward to claim or create your Google Business Profile.
If you already have Google Search Console set up, the verification process can be streamlined. Once claimed, optimize your Google Business Profile with these small business SEO tips:
Complete all information fields, such as hours, address, and payment methods
Add images of your products, services, and location
Select relevant business categories, like “Italian restaurant”
Write a concise description of your company
Encourage reviews from current and past customers
Maximize your Google Business Profile by utilizing its various features, such as posting about time-sensitive events and enabling appointment bookings or instant messaging.
Claim your Google Business Profile listing today to start appearing in valuable search results.
4. Conduct an SEO Audit of Your Website
An SEO audit is a critical step in developing and launching your SEO strategy. It provides an overview of your website’s SEO performance, highlighting areas of success and improvement.
While you can conduct an SEO audit in-house, an unbiased third-party assessment can be invaluable. Top SEO agencies for small businesses often identify enhancements that your team might overlook. You can obtain a third-party SEO audit through free tools or services. For the best results, invest in professional SEO audit services, which pair you with an experienced SEO specialist and save your team time.
Once you receive your SEO report, you can start developing a plan, which typically includes tasks for optimizing existing pages and checklists for creating new content.
5. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
A key aspect of small business SEO is optimizing title tags and meta descriptions. These elements, found in search results, should include your targeted keyword and entice users to click.
For instance, a title tag should not exceed 60 characters and should include your targeted keyword along with a compelling reason to click. Your meta description, up to 150 characters, should provide a preview of your content and include relevant keywords.
While Google may alter your meta description, optimizing it is still important. Experiment with different title tags and meta descriptions to find the most effective ones.
6. Research High-Value, Low-Competition Keywords
Small businesses often struggle with SEO due to their focus on high-volume keywords. It’s challenging to rank in search results against established companies with long-standing SEO strategies. Therefore, small business SEO should prioritize long-tail keywords over short-tail ones.
Long-tail keywords are typically three to four words and are more specific than short-tail keywords. They are easier to understand and target, making them ideal for small businesses. For example, “gluten-free Italian restaurants” is a long-tail keyword.
Long-tail keywords, while having a lower search volume, also face less competition. They are a perfect solution for small businesses looking to enhance their SEO strategy.
7. Create Original and Relevant Content for Your Website
Content is crucial for any business size, as content marketing can generate up to six times more conversions for companies that employ it. Integrating content marketing into your small business SEO strategy is essential.
From keyword research, your team can develop content topics for your website, blog, and social media. Focus on topics that are relevant and of interest to your audience to maximize the impact of your content.
8. Utilize Schema Markup for Your Website Content
Schema markup can also benefit small business SEO. By providing Google with specific information about a webpage, such as a recipe’s ingredients, cooking time, and calories, schema markup can enhance your website’s search presence.
Implementing schema markup can help your website stand out in search results by displaying additional information to users. If you use schema markup, verify your work with Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.
9. Engage in Outreach to Build Valuable Links to Your Site
Outreach is a critical component of SEO for small business websites. It involves connecting with publishers and bloggers in your industry to pitch your content and potentially earn links back to your site.
These inbound links are vital for SEO, as Google’s search algorithm considers the quantity and quality of links when ranking search results. If outreach is time-consuming, consider investing in content marketing services to build valuable links to your site.
With these nine SEO tips for small businesses, you can set your company on the path to success, leading to increased foot traffic, calls, and orders.
Managing an SEO strategy in-house can be challenging, which is why only 17% of small businesses invest in SEO. Partnering with an SEO agency can help your company enjoy the benefits of SEO without the time commitment. With over 28 years of experience and a client recommendation score 488% higher than the industry average, WebFX is a trusted provider of SEO services for small businesses. Learn how our award-winning team can assist your company by contacting us online today. For immediate assistance with SEO, call us at 888-601-5359!
