Considering that small businesses have been labeled “the lifeblood of the U.S. economy”, I think it’s fair to say that they should receive the attention they deserve. That being said, small businesses would benefit from increased visibility, and what better way to do that than through small business SEO?
Keep reading to find out how SEO could completely change the landscape for small businesses!
Why Do Small Businesses Need SEO?
SEO is no longer an option. It is a necessity for any type of business.
So, even though small businesses may not have the biggest digital marketing budget, the great thing about search engine optimization is that it’s free.
That being said, did you know that 97% of people learn about small businesses from the internet? Think of all the local, small businesses that you are not aware of just because they don’t rank well on Google.
Not only will search engine optimization practices help with building a trustworthy and user-friendly website for small businesses, but, most importantly, they will help with raising awareness. After all, 75% of users don’t ever scroll past the first page of search results.
Hence, although search engine optimization is a powerful tool for all businesses, it can do wonders for small businesses that don’t have enough money the same budget that business giants do for marketing and paid advertising.
The Benefits of SEO for Small Businesses
We might have already discussed the benefits of local SEO, and although the two are often associated, they wildly differ. Yes, small businesses may be local, but they can also be global and just because a business is local, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is small.
That being said, small businesses are personal. They differentiate themselves from other businesses and have a unique selling point (USP). So, by taking advantage of search engine optimization, small businesses can expand and tell their story to a wider audience.
And that’s only one of the reasons why SEO is a must for small businesses.
1. Create a User-Friendly Website
While SEO is all about high-quality and insightful content, simply writing informative and valuable content doesn’t cut it anymore. So, optimizing the visitors’ experience on your website should also be highly prioritized.
Having said that, focusing on technical SEO is fundamental for ranking high on Google. However, when you are optimizing your website for search engines, you are also enhancing user experience by working on page load time, layout or mobile-friendliness.
2. Attract More Visitors
Think about how many people could benefit from your small business’ products or services, but they aren’t aware that your business exists. Or, think about people that want to support small and ethical businesses, but don’t know where to start.
Search engine optimization is the solution you have been looking for, as 53% of website traffic is coming from organic search results.
Besides, this way you will be attracting users who are already looking for products or services like the one you are offering, hence they are more likely to convert.
3. Give an Edge over Competition
In the end, SEO is what could differentiate you from other small businesses in your niche. For example, while you may both sell sustainable, and ethical clothing, your business may get the recognition it deserves because of SEO.
After all, SEO is a form of inbound marketing, as it focuses on attracting the right audience, instead of reaching out to them. So essentially, through SEO, you will be making yourself more available to an audience that is already searching for what you are offering.
Besides, through SEO you are targeting any individual with related search intent, no matter where they may find themselves in the buying funnel.
Your SEO Strategy for Small Businesses
In order for SEO to really make a difference for your small business, it needs to be thoroughly implemented. And what better way to do that than through a SEO strategy?
In the end, SEO is a long-term investment and the work that you put into your website will generate results for years to come.
1. Define Your USP
Identifying your unique selling point is crucial for defining the way you want to present your brand online.
However, in order to do that you need to thoroughly analyze your business, and what better way to do that through a SWOT analysis?
However, while identifying your business’ strengths and weaknesses is essential, it isn’t enough. This is why your business’ analysis should be completed by competitor analysis. Only by analyzing other businesses in your niche, will you be able to identify your USP.
2. Do Keyword Research
Keyword research is fundamental if you want to attract the right audience. Not only can you find out what keywords are ranking well in your niche, but you can also discover the keywords that your competitors are ranking for.
Conducting keywords research may mean going that extra mile, but the outcomes will make it worth it. After all, when your content is targeted at a specific audience, its reach and visibility increase.
Also, long-tail keywords are a must when it comes to SEO for small businesses as they are more specific, and it’s easier to rank for them.
That being said, keyword research is complex, so check out our article on the basics of keyword research to learn everything you need to know about this cornerstone of content marketing.
3. Publish Valuable Content
This is a no-brainer as you can use suitable keywords, and you can highlight your USP, but both are useless if the content you produce isn’t valuable. Producing insightful content isn’t only a great way to educate your audience, but it also helps with building credibility and increasing trust.
In fact, 81% of consumers need to trust the brand before making a purchase, and what better way to do that than through high-quality and informative content?
4. Build Backlinks
Backlinks are a great way of building authority. In fact, having sites with authority link back to your website will influence your ranking on Google.
So, how do you get backlinks? Essentially, what you put in is what you get out. You can’t expect authoritative and valuable websites to link back to your website if your content lacks quality.
However, while creating insightful and high-quality content is the best way to earn links organically, you can always reach out to other businesses and ask them for a review or for a link. Check out our article on gaining authoritative backlinks to find out how to do that.
5. Have a Strong Social Media Presence
Social media will help with raising brand awareness, but, more importantly, it will humanize your brand. Like high-quality content, a strong yet personal social media presence is fundamental for small businesses, as it is a great way to highlight your brand’s USP while also humanizing it.
Focus on SEO and Watch Your Small Business Flourish!
Your small business should get the recognition it deserves. And what better way to do that than through search engine optimization? Consider hiring an SEO Consultant to help you get there.
Here, at CadenceSEO, we have the necessary expertise to take your small business to the next level with SEO.
Don’t waste another minute! Contact us today to see how we can help your business!
