SEO Best Practices for Small Businesses A Practical Guide to Getting Found Online
- aremojosephine
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Is your small business getting buried on page 5 of Google? You're not alone, but there’s a fix.
Why SEO Matters for Small Businesses
Over 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results.
If you’re a small business trying to stand out online, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is your best friend. Unlike paid ads, SEO helps you attract customers organically by showing up where it matters on Google.
With local competition growing and digital habits shifting, appearing on the first page of search results can make or break your online success.
Local SEO Strategies for Small Businesses
Set Up Google My Business Correctly
One of the easiest SEO wins for small businesses is to claim and optimize Google My Business (GMB) profile.
Here’s how to do it right:
Use your exact business name
Add your business category and service areas
Upload high quality photos
Add business hours, a description, and your website link
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews
A well-optimized GMB profile improves your local SEO visibility dramatically, especially for “near me” searches.
Start with Local Keyword Research
Before you write content or build your website, you need to know what your audience is searching for.
Use free or low-cost tools like:
Ubersuggest
Google Keyword Planner
AnswerThePublic
Focus on long-tail keywords that combine your service + location or intent. These are easier to rank for and attract more qualified leads.
On-Page SEO: The Basics You Can’t Skip
Once you know your keywords, you need to use them strategically on your website. This includes:
Title tags (each page should have one)
Meta descriptions
Header tags (H1, H2, etc.)
Alt text on images
Internal linking between pages
Make sure your keywords appear naturally especially in the first 100 words of your content.
Pro Tip: Each page on your site should target one main keyword to avoid confusion.
Optimize for Mobile and Site Speed
In 2024, more than 60% of searches come from mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing traffic and rankings.
Use Wix or a responsive website builder, and test with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
Also, improve your site speed by:
Compressing images
Avoiding heavy animations
Removing unnecessary apps or code
Enabling browser caching
Google prioritizes fast, mobile-ready sites in search rankings.
Content Strategy That Builds Trust and Traffic
Content is still king, but only when it’s useful. Write blogs, FAQs, service pages, and guides that answer real questions your customers ask.
Here are simple ideas:
“Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Client”
“How to Choose the Right Marketing Strategy for your Brand
“DIY vs. Professional Copy Writer”
Use your target keywords naturally, and structure posts with headings, bullet points, and clear CTAs.
Businesses that blog regularly generate 67% more leads than those that don’t.
Track Your SEO Results and Adjust
SEO isn’t a one time setup, it's an ongoing strategy.
Use tools like:
Google Analytics to see where your traffic is coming from.
Google Search Console to track keyword rankings and errors.
Wix SEO tools to manage your on page optimizations easily.
Track these key metrics;
Organic traffic
Top-performing pages
Bounce rate
Click-through rate (CTR)
Adjust your content based on what’s working. Double down on popular blog topics, and update old pages with fresh data.
Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid
Even good businesses fall into these traps:
Keyword stuffing
Duplicate content across pages
Ignoring mobile users
Forgetting to update content
Neglecting page titles and meta descriptions
Fixing these alone can dramatically improve your visibility.
Staying Visible in a Competitive Market
SEO isn’t just for big businesses. In fact, it can give small businesses a major edge, especially at the local level.
By applying these SEO best practices, from keyword research to content creation and mobile optimization, you’ll set yourself up to be found by the people looking for exactly what you offer.
Need Help with Small Business SEO?
At Just Lit Solutions, we help brands grow online with tailored SEO strategies, content, and visibility plans.
Let’s make your business discoverable.
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