The SEO Starter Pack for SMBs

Introduction:
If you have a website but aren’t getting many visitors, it’s likely that people just can’t find you. That’s what Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is all about making your website easier for Google to understand and recommend to people searching for what you offer.

You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. This guide will walk you through simple but powerful ways to improve your website visibility, even if you’ve never done SEO before.

Why This Matters:
Think about your own habits. When you search for a local service or product, you probably click one of the top 3 results. If your business isn’t showing up in that zone, your competitors are getting the clicks and the business.

Good SEO helps people find you, trust you, and choose you.

Step-by-Step SEO Starter Process:

Step 1: Identify what your customers are searching for.
Before you do anything on your site, you need to know the phrases people use when looking for your product or service.

Tools like:

* Google Keyword Planner (free with a Gmail account): Helps you see how many people search for a term like “accountant in Parramatta” or “dog groomer near me.”
* Ubersuggest (by Neil Patel): Offers keyword suggestions and how competitive they are.

Tip: Focus on location-specific or niche terms. Instead of “florist,” try “florist Marrickville” or “native flower delivery Sydney.”

Step 2: Optimise each web page with one main keyword
Choose one keyword per page (e.g., one for your homepage, one for your services page) and use it in:

* The page title (this appears in Google results)
* The main heading (usually big text near the top)
* The URL (e.g., yoursite.com/gardening-services)
* The image file names and alternative text (helps Google understand your images)
* The body text (don’t overdo it keep it natural)

Example: If your keyword is “mobile massage in Penrith,” your homepage could say, “Looking for reliable mobile massage in Penrith? We bring relaxation to your door.”

Step 3: Make your website mobile-friendly and fast
Google gives better rankings to websites that load quickly and work well on phones.

Check your site using:

* Google PageSpeed Insights : Shows what’s slowing your site down and how to fix it.

Tips:

* Use smaller image sizes (under 500KB each)
* Avoid cluttered designs or old themes
* Make sure buttons and menus are easy to tap on phones

Step 4: Set up your Google Business Profile
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