SEO, or search engine optimisation, can sound technical and intimidating. But for most small businesses, getting found on Google comes down to a handful of basics done well. Here’s what every small business website should get right.
Say clearly what you do and where
Google needs to understand what your business offers and where you offer it, and so do your customers. Your home page and service pages should state this plainly, in the words your customers would use. “Kitchen renovations on the Northern Beaches” is much clearer than a vague slogan.
Give each service its own page
If you offer several services, give each one a dedicated page with a proper description. A single page listing everything you do makes it hard for Google to match you to specific searches.
Write a good title and description for each page
Each page has a title and a short description that often appear in Google’s search results. They should be unique to each page, describe what’s on it and give people a reason to click. Your website’s SEO settings let you edit these.
Use headings properly
Headings break up your content and help both readers and search engines understand how your page is structured. Use one main heading per page, with subheadings for each section.
Make it fast and mobile friendly
Google favours websites that load quickly and work well on phones, because that’s what searchers want. Optimise your images, keep your website software updated and test your site on your own phone regularly.
Describe your images
Add short, accurate descriptions (called alt text) to your images. It helps people using screen readers and gives Google more context about your pages.
Keep your contact details consistent
Your business name, address and phone number should be the same on your website, your Google Business Profile and any directories you’re listed in. Inconsistent details can confuse search engines and customers alike.
Keep it fresh
A website that’s never updated sends the wrong signal. Adding new content, like project examples, answers to common questions or blog posts, gives customers more reasons to visit and Google more reasons to show your site.
Build it in from the start
All the websites we build are optimised for search engines from the outset, with sensible page structure, editable titles and descriptions, and fast-loading images. Find out more about our websites, or get in touch if you’d like us to look at yours.
