SEO basics for small business websites
How to get found online—without getting overwhelmed.
If you’re a small business owner with a website, you’ve probably heard that you need SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). But what does that actually mean—and do you really need it?
The short answer: yes.
The good news: it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here’s a simple breakdown of SEO essentials to help your website show up on Google—and bring the right people to your business.
🧭 What is SEO, Really?
SEO is the practice of making your website easier for search engines like Google to find, understand, and recommend to users. Done right, SEO helps your site appear when people search for what you offer—like “Melbourne dog groomer” or “eco-friendly candles.”
1. Start With the Right Keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines.
Ask yourself:
“If someone was searching for my business, what would they Google?”
For example, if you’re a wedding photographer in Melbourne, your keywords might be:
Melbourne wedding photographer
candid wedding photography
affordable wedding photographer Melbourne
✅ Tip: Use one main keyword per page and sprinkle it naturally into the page title, headings, and a few times in your content.
2. Optimise Your Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
These are the little snippets that show up in Google search results. They tell both search engines and people what your page is about.
Example:
Page Title: Affordable Wedding Photography | ST Creative
Meta Description: Beautiful, candid wedding photography in Melbourne. Packages for every couple. View portfolio and book online.
✅ Tip: Keep page titles under 60 characters and meta descriptions under 160. Make them clear, not clever.
3. Use Headings the Right Way (H1, H2, etc.)
Headings help structure your content and tell Google what’s important.
Each page should have one H1 (your main headline).
Subheadings (H2, H3, etc.) should follow a logical structure.
✅ Tip: Make sure your H1 includes your main keyword when possible. For example: “Melbourne Wedding Photographer for Modern Couples”
4. Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly
Google prioritises mobile-first websites. If your site doesn’t work well on phones, it can hurt your ranking.
✅ Tip: Test your site on multiple devices. Make sure buttons are easy to tap and text is easy to read.
5. Improve Your Site Speed
Slow websites don’t just frustrate users—they frustrate Google too.
✅ Tip: Compress images, avoid too many plugins, and choose a fast, modern website builder or hosting platform.
6. Add Alt Text to Images
Alt text is a short description of an image, used by screen readers and search engines.
Example:
Instead of uploading an image named IMG_9382.jpg, use alt text like:
“Bride and groom walking through Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne.”
✅ Tip: Be descriptive and natural—don’t just stuff keywords.
7. Create Quality Content
Google loves helpful, original content. Start with a few core pages:
Homepage
About
Services
Contact
Blog (if you’re ready for one!)
✅ Tip: Answer common questions your customers have. Write in a way that sounds like you—clear, warm, and real.
8. Set Up Google Tools
Free tools that help you track and improve your SEO:
Google Analytics – shows who’s visiting your site and what they’re doing
Google Search Console – helps you monitor search performance and fix SEO issues
✅ Tip: Set these up as soon as your site is live.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to show up online—you just need a solid foundation. By taking a few simple steps, you’ll help your small business website work harder behind the scenes to attract the right visitors.
Want help building a website that’s both beautiful and search-friendly?
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