SEO is what and why you need to know if you are a small business

Today we’re looking at a topic that’s close to my heart and essential for your business success – SEO. Now, I know what you might be thinking, “SEO is what? Another tech thing I need to learn?” But stick with me, because understanding SEO could be just the thing your small business needs. If you don’t know me yet, I’m Tanya and my purpose in life is helping you to simplify your business. I want you to make the money you want to whilst leading the life of your dreams. If those dreams are anything like mine, they may include a lot of chilling out and going away for weekends whenever you fancy. One of the things I think we can all agree on as business owners is that we don’t want to be worrying about where our next order/sale is coming from. Which brings me on nicely to…

 

SEO is What, Exactly?

Let’s start with the basics. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. In simple terms, it’s the process of making your website more visible and attractive to search engines like Google. When someone searches for a product or service you offer, SEO helps your website show up higher in the search results.

But SEO is what makes the difference between being on page one of Google and being lost in the depths of page 10 (and let’s face it, who ever goes to page 10?).

 

Why small businesses need to care about SEO

Now, you might be wondering, “SEO is what I need to focus on? I’m already juggling so many things!” I get it. As small business owners, we wear many hats. But here’s why SEO should be one of those hats:

Cost-Effective Marketing: Unlike paid ads, SEO can bring you organic traffic without ongoing costs.
Long-Term Results: Once you rank well, you can maintain your position with less effort than constantly creating new social media content.
Targeted Traffic: SEO brings people actively searching for what you offer, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Credibility Boost: Ranking high in search results builds trust with potential customers.

 

SEO helps your business to break free from the social media treadmill

Let’s be honest, how many hours do you spend each week creating social media content? And how much of that content actually leads to sales? SEO is what can help you break free from this cycle.
Imagine waking up to find new enquiries in your inbox, from people who found you through a Google search. No constant posting, no algorithm changes to keep up with – just your website working hard for you 24/7.

 

SEO is what can save you time and money

“But Tanya,” I hear you say, “doesn’t SEO take a lot of time and money?” Well, here’s the truth: while SEO does require some initial effort, it’s far more cost-effective in the long run than constantly paying for ads or spending hours on social media.
Let’s break it down:

Time Savings: Once your SEO is set up, it continues working for you without daily input. Compare that to the constant grind of social media posting.
Money Savings: With effective SEO, you can reduce or eliminate your ad spend. Those savings add up quickly!
Consistent Results: Unlike the feast and famine cycle of relying on social media or paid ads, SEO can provide a steady stream of enquiries. Who doesn’t like consistent results in business?

 

 

It can transform your business model

When I started implementing SEO strategies in my own business, it was a game-changer. Here’s what happened:

I went from wondering where to find customers to having new enquiries every single day.
My bespoke manufacturing business grew to a multi-six-figure turnover.
I was able to work mostly from home, being there for my children, instead of constantly chasing sales.

SEO can do the same for your business. Imagine how different your life would be if you didn’t have to worry about where your next customers were coming from?

 

The SEO Myth: It’s too complicated for small business owners

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “SEO is what tech gurus do, not small business owners like me.” But that’s a myth I’m here to burst wide open.
The truth is, while SEO can get complex, the basics are absolutely learnable by anyone. Yes, even you! In fact, as a small business owner, you’re in a unique position to create authentic, valuable content that both search engines and your potential customers will love. So many people I know don’t like the content others create for them because it doesn’t sound like ‘them’ enough. If you know you know! I’m here to tell you that there’s very rarely a better person to talk passionately about who you help than you.

 

You need to understand it to take control of your business’s online presence

Here’s the thing: when you don’t understand SEO, you’re at the mercy of others. Maybe you’ve been told you need a fancy new website costing over £1k. Or perhaps you’ve been sold on the idea that only “experts” can do SEO.
But SEO is what you can learn and implement yourself. And when you do, you’re in control. You’re not dependent on expensive agencies or constantly changing social media algorithms.

 

It can help you create valuable content

One of the best things about SEO is that it encourages you to create content that your potential customers actually want to read. It’s not about keyword stuffing or tricky tactics. It’s about understanding what your audience is searching for and providing valuable answers.

This approach not only helps you rank better in search engines but also positions you as an expert in your field. SEO is what can help you build trust and credibility with your audience before they even contact you.

 

SEO is what you need to future-proof your business

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: AI. With the rise of AI-generated content, you might be wondering if SEO is still relevant. The answer is a resounding yes!
In fact, SEO is what will help you stand out in a sea of AI-generated content. Search engines are getting smarter, and they prefer authentic, valuable content created by real people. By learning SEO, you’re future-proofing your business against AI competition.

As a caveat, if you really like using AI to create your blogs I won’t judge you for it. But you need to assess if those blogs are bringing you paid work through Google searches. Don’t panic if they aren’t you can do a lot to improve them but in the meantime stop creating new blogs as they aren’t doing much to help your business. I’ve done some research and I’ve never seen an AI blog that doesn’t need some form of editing to rank well. So you still need to know SEO if you don’t write your own blogs from scratch.

 

SEO is what can free you from the pressure of constant sales effort

One of the biggest benefits of good SEO is the relief it brings. When your website is consistently bringing in new enquiries, you’re not constantly under pressure to make sales.
This means:

• Less stress about where your next client is coming from
• More time to focus on delivering great service to your existing clients
• The freedom to take time off without worrying about losing momentum

SEO can give you this peace of mind.

 

How to Get Started with SEO

Now that you understand SEO is what your business needs, you might be wondering how to get started. Here are some simple steps:

• Keyword Research: Understand what terms your potential customers are searching for. So many people miss this step and then write great content but only their current audience see it, and a few extra people on social media for about a week.
• On-Page Optimisation: Make sure your website’s content includes these keywords naturally. Writing every page, post and product page in the right way will give them all a chance to rank highly.
• Technical SEO: Ensure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy for search engines to crawl. This isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
• Content Creation: Regularly create valuable content that answers your audience’s questions. I say once a month. The reason I say this is, that is 12 a year and 60 in 5 years. 60 high-ranking blog posts that all bring clients your way sounds pretty special I think.
• Link Building: Build relationships and earn links from other reputable websites. This is easier when you get some momentum. Don’t buy backlinks though it isn’t worth the potential to damage your reputation with Google because of Spam scores. Once you start being seen as an authorise you could be quoted in the media and on blog site that will link to your site. Also Pinterest, LinkedIn, and other social media is a great place to start building your links.

 

 

I have something that can help you

 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. That’s exactly why I created my Simply SEO course. It’s designed for small business owners like you who want to harness the power of SEO without getting bogged down in technicalities.
In the course, you’ll learn:

How to do effective keyword research
How to write high-ranking blog posts
The best URL structure to use
How to optimise your existing content

Plus, you’ll get ongoing support and accountability for months to ensure you implement what you learn.

Imagine a business where you have consistent leads coming in. No more feast and famine cycles. You don’t feel the need to be constantly active on social media. Therefore, you have more time to spend with friends and family. Would you also feel less stress and worry about money?

Investment in SEO is an investment in your business’s future

Now, I know what you might be thinking. “This sounds great, Tanya, but can I afford it?” My question to you is: can you afford not to? Think about the time and money you’re currently spending on social media and paid ads. Think about the stress of inconsistent income. SEO is what can change all of that.My Simply SEO course is an investment in your business’s future. For less than the cost of a few months of paid ads, you can learn skills that will benefit your business for years to come.

 

Here’s some stats for you from 49 Powerful SEO Statistics for 2024 to Boost Your Rankings (monsterinsights.com)

SEO’s Effectiveness:

 

49% of marketers say organic search has the best ROI of any marketing channel.

70% of marketers see SEO as more effective than PPC.

 

Search Behaviour:

 

68% of online experiences begin with a search engine.

53.3% of all website traffic comes from organic search.

 

Local SEO:

 

46% of all Google searches are looking for local information.

78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases.

 

Mobile Optimisation:

 

58% of all searches are now done on mobile devices.

 

Content Length and Quality:

 

The average Google first page result contains 1,447 words.

Long-form content gets an average of 77.2% more links than short articles.

 

Page Speed:

 

A 1-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions.

 

Importance of Ranking:

 

The first five organic results account for 67.60% of all clicks.

And lastly, a very important one…

 

Age of High-Ranking Posts:

 

The average age of top-ranking pages is 2-3 years old.

You can’t cheat time so the best time to start this work was yesterday but the sooner the better. Also once you have done the work you can be safe in the knowledge ‘Things can only get better’ – if you didn’t sing that line in your head I’m not sure if we can work together.

 

SEO is what you need to take your business to the next level

If  you are ready to stop being a slave to social media and start making money from your website. SEO is what can help you:

Get found on Google by your perfect clients every day
Free up hours every week that you currently spend creating social media content
Make social media feel social again, without the constant pressure to sell
Create more consistent income and reduce the feast and famine cycle
Feel relief as the pressure of ‘sales’ is reduced or removed

 

In conclusion, SEO is what your small business needs to thrive in the digital age. And it’s not just for tech experts or big corporations. It’s for small business owners like you and me who want to work smarter, not harder.
So, are you ready to embrace SEO and transform your business? Remember, your perfect clients are out there, searching for you right now. SEO is what will help them find you.
Let’s make your website work as hard as you do. After all, you deserve a business that supports your life, not the other way around. If you want to find out more about getting help with SEO click here