SEO Tips for Small Businesses
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is essential for small businesses looking to increase their online visibility and attract more customers. A study by Backlinko found that the top-ranking search result on Google gets 27.6% of all clicks, while those on the second page get significantly less traffic. This highlights the importance of ranking highly in search results if you want potential customers to find your business.
Summary
The role of Google Business Profile in local search rankings.
Key website optimisation that improve search performance.
How keywords and content creation contribute to better rankings.
The importance of backlinks for building website authority.
Actionable SEO steps for business owners to implement on their own.
Advanced strategies an SEO agency can handle for long-term success.
Why SEO matters for small businesses and how it impacts online visibility..
Optimise Your Google Business Profile
A fully optimised Google Business Profile can significantly improve your local search rankings. To start, claim and verify your profile on Google Business. This ensures you have control over your business listing and can update details as needed. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are accurate and consistent across all platforms. Even minor inconsistencies can impact your rankings.
High-quality images and videos showcasing your products, services, and premises can make your listing more appealing. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps and 35% more click-throughs to their website than those without. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and respond professionally to all feedback, as reviews play a key role in local SEO rankings.
Focus on Local SEO
Local SEO is crucial for businesses that serve a specific geographical area. Using location-specific keywords such as “best bakery in Manchester” or “affordable plumbing services in Birmingham” can help your website appear in local search results. Adding your business to online directories like Yell, Bing Places, Apple Maps, and industry-specific directories can further boost your visibility.
Consistency is key when listing your business details. Your name, address, and phone number (NAP) should be the same everywhere online. Google cross-checks this information across different websites, and inconsistencies can hurt your rankings. Embedding a Google Map of your location on your website and writing locally focused blog content can further strengthen your local search presence.
Local SEO Strategies for Small Businesses
Local SEO is crucial for businesses serving specific geographic areas. Whether you run a bakery in Manchester or a plumbing service in Birmingham, optimising for local search can bring in more foot traffic and online enquiries. Here’s how to strengthen your local SEO:
Use location-based keywords (e.g., “emergency plumber in Leeds” or “best coffee shop in Edinburgh”).
List your business in local directories like Yell, Bing Places, and Apple Maps.
Keep your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) consistent across all online listings.
Embed a Google Map on your website’s contact page.
Publish localised blog content about events, customer success stories, or industry trends in your area.
Local SEO ensures your business appears in searches from people nearby who are actively looking for your products or services.
Optimise Your Website for SEO
A fast, mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable for SEO success. Over 60% of all Google searches come from mobile devices, so your site must load quickly and display correctly on all screen sizes. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website speed and identify areas for improvement. Compressing images, minimising unnecessary code, and using a reliable hosting provider can all help improve load times.
Your website’s structure should be simple and easy to navigate. Clear, descriptive URLs (e.g. yourbusiness.com/services/plumbing-manchester) help search engines and users understand your content. Internal linking between relevant pages keeps visitors engaged and helps Google index your website more effectively.
Target the Right Keywords
Understanding what your customers are searching for is fundamental to SEO. Free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Ahrefs can help you find relevant keywords with high search volume and low competition. Instead of targeting generic, highly competitive terms like “plumber,” focus on long-tail keywords such as “emergency plumber in Liverpool” or “boiler repair service near me.” These are more specific, have less competition, and often lead to higher conversion rates.
Once you've identified your keywords, use them naturally in your website’s page titles, headings, meta descriptions, and body text. Avoid keyword stuffing, as this can negatively impact your rankings. Instead, write informative, engaging content that provides real value to your audience while naturally incorporating your target keywords.
Create High-Quality Content
Content is one of the most powerful tools for improving SEO. Blogging regularly about industry trends, answering common customer questions, and providing how-to guides can establish your business as an authority in your niche. Businesses that blog consistently generate 67% more leads than those that don’t.
Using a mix of content formats, such as videos, infographics, and case studies, can make your content more engaging. Search engines prioritise well-structured, valuable content, so aim to answer your customers’ questions comprehensively. Writing in-depth guides or FAQs based on real customer queries can increase the chances of your content appearing in Google’s featured snippets, which are displayed at the top of search results.
Gain Backlinks from Trusted Sources
Backlinks—links from other websites to your own—are a strong ranking factor. The more high-quality websites that link to your site, the more authoritative your business appears to search engines. One way to gain backlinks is through collaborations with local businesses, suppliers, and industry blogs. Writing guest posts for reputable websites or getting featured in local news publications can also help.
Creating shareable content, such as infographics, expert insights, or industry reports, increases the likelihood of other websites linking to you. Avoid spammy link-building tactics, as Google penalises websites that try to manipulate search rankings with low-quality backlinks.
Leverage Social Media for SEO
While social media does not directly influence SEO rankings, it plays a key role in increasing your online presence. Sharing your blog posts, promotions, and customer testimonials on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter can drive traffic to your website. The more engagement your content receives, the more likely it is to be shared and linked to by others.
Engaging with followers by responding to comments and messages helps build trust and credibility. Using location-specific hashtags and tagging local influencers or businesses can increase your visibility in your target area.
Actionable SEO Recommendations for Small Business Owners
Small business owners can take several steps to improve their SEO without hiring an agency. The following tasks can be done with minimal technical expertise:
Claim and fully optimise your Google Business Profile, ensuring all details are accurate and up to date.
Research and use relevant keywords in your website content, page titles, and meta descriptions.
Write a blog post at least once a month, focusing on topics that answer common customer questions.
Improve website speed by compressing images, minimising unnecessary plugins, and using a fast hosting provider.
List your business on relevant online directories and ensure your NAP details are consistent.
Encourage happy customers to leave Google reviews, as these influence local search rankings.
Regularly share updates and promotions on social media to drive traffic to your website.
Actionable SEO Strategies an SEO Agency Can Implement
For businesses that want a more advanced SEO strategy, hiring an SEO agency can help achieve long-term growth. Agencies can handle tasks that require more expertise, such as:
Conducting in-depth keyword research and competitor analysis to develop a targeted SEO strategy.
Performing technical SEO audits to identify and fix site structure, mobile usability, and indexing issues.
Building high-quality backlinks through outreach and digital PR campaigns.
Creating a content marketing plan that includes high-quality blog posts, landing pages, and multimedia content.
Managing paid search campaigns (Google Ads) to drive immediate traffic while improving organic rankings.
Implementing schema markup to enhance search result appearances with rich snippets.
Monitoring SEO performance using Google Analytics, Search Console, and other advanced tracking tools.
Best SEO Services for Small Businesses
If you’re considering professional SEO help, here are some recommended services that offer great value:
Local SEO services – Ideal for brick-and-mortar businesses looking to attract local customers.
Technical SEO audits – Helps identify and fix site errors affecting rankings.
Content creation and blogging – Boosts engagement and keyword optimisation.
Backlink building – Improves domain authority and rankings.
Affordable monthly SEO plans – Provides ongoing optimisation without breaking the budget.
Affordable SEO solutions often include a combination of these services, customised to fit a business’s needs and goals.
Most Affordable Ways to Implement SEO for Small Businesses
Not every business has a large SEO budget, but there are cost-effective ways to improve rankings:
Do-It-Yourself SEO – Learn the basics and optimise your website, Google Business Profile, and content.
Use free SEO tools – Google Search Console, Ubersuggest, and Ahrefs (free version) help track performance.
Focus on content marketing – Blogging and social media engagement improve SEO without additional costs.
Get local backlinks – Partner with local businesses, join directories, and engage in community events.
Hire freelancers or SEO consultants – More affordable than full-service agencies but still effective.
By implementing these budget-friendly strategies, small businesses can still achieve strong SEO results without spending thousands.
Website Optimisation for SEO
A well-optimised website is key to SEO success. More than 60% of all Google searches come from mobile devices, so having a fast, mobile-friendly website is crucial. Here’s how to improve your website’s SEO:
Ensure a responsive, mobile-friendly design that works across all devices.
Use SEO-friendly URLs (e.g.,
yourbusiness.com/services/local-seo/).Improve page speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
Implement internal linking to help search engines understand your site’s structure.
Use clear, keyword-rich meta descriptions and headings to improve search rankings.
A slow, outdated website can drive potential customers away, so regular updates and SEO-friendly adjustments are necessary.
Why Small Businesses Should Consider Professional SEO Services
While small business owners can implement many SEO tactics themselves, hiring an SEO professional can take results to the next level. SEO is an ongoing process that requires expertise, and a professional agency can:
Conduct in-depth keyword research to identify the most valuable search terms.
Perform technical SEO audits to fix issues affecting rankings.
Build high-quality backlinks that improve website authority.
Implement content marketing strategies to increase engagement and conversions.
Monitor and adjust strategies using Google Analytics, Search Console, and SEO tools.
A small business selling handmade jewellery might struggle to compete online without professional SEO. An agency can develop a strategy to optimise product descriptions, improve local SEO for boutique searches, and secure backlinks from fashion bloggers to increase visibility. At PRINTFOLD we offer bespoke SEO services for small businesses with affordable plans to get you started. Check out our SEO services for small business page or contact us if you have any questions.
Final Thoughts
SEO is a powerful tool for small businesses to attract more customers and stay competitive online. By implementing basic strategies like optimising a Google Business Profile, improving website performance, and creating high-quality content, business owners can boost search rankings and drive organic traffic without relying solely on paid ads.
For those looking to scale their efforts, an SEO agency can provide advanced solutions such as technical audits, competitor analysis, backlink building, and paid search campaigns. These strategies help businesses achieve sustainable growth, increase visibility, and maximise return on investment. While SEO requires ongoing effort, the right approach ensures long-term success in an increasingly digital world.