SEO Without the Overwhelm: A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners

If you’ve ever Googled your business and wondered why you’re buried on page three, you’re not alone. “SEO” (Search Engine Optimisation) can sound like a technical jungle, but at its heart, it’s simply about helping people (+ Google and other search engines) find you. And when you strip away the jargon, it’s surprisingly approachable.

Here’s a quick, friendly breakdown of the essentials.

1. Start with Your People (SEO isn't just for Google)

The best SEO doesn’t start with algorithms but with your customers.

Ask: What do they type into Google when they need you? What questions do they have?

Make a simple list of those search terms and use them naturally in your website copy. This isn’t about stuffing keywords; it’s about answering real questions.

2. Make Your Website Easy to Love

Google is a lot like your customers, it likes websites that are clear, quick, and easy to navigate (that doesn't mean a boring website).

• Keep pages simple: One main idea per page works best.

• Make it mobile-friendly: Most searches happen on phones now.

• Speed matters: Slow websites turn people (and Google) away - reduce the image quality slighlty so your website can load faster and ensure mobile version is slighlty lighter.

Think of it as tidying up your storefront, but for the web.

3. Create Helpful, Shareable Content (SEO Guide)

A blog post answering common questions. A simple guide. Even a short video. Google rewards fresh, useful content because it means your website is active and valuable. You don’t need to publish every week, consistency is better than frequency (quality content over quantity). All this will help you increase your visibility and slowly build your SEO strategy.

4. Links Are Your Referrals

When other trusted websites link to you, Google takes it as a vote of confidence. Start small:

• Collaborate with local businesses.

• Get listed in online directories.

• Share content worth linking to.

You don’t need hundreds of links, quality ones make the real difference. Make sure you are within the same industry ( *candy shop & plumber services don't have much in common).

5. Don’t Forget the SEO Basics

• Use clear titles and headings (they help Google and readers alike).

• Fill in “meta descriptions” (the little blurbs that show up in search results).

• Add alt text to your images (it helps with accessibility and search).

These small tweaks are easy wins that add up.

Show Up Where It Matters

SEO isn’t about chasing algorithms. It’s about making your business discoverable, trustworthy, and easy to engage with. Start with your audience, keep things tidy, and add value one piece at a time.

Does this SEO guide still feels like too much? That’s where a good partner (👋) comes in to make it simple, doable, and bespoke for your business.