SEO Made Easy: A DIY Guide for Small Business Owners

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) might sound overwhelming, but it’s a game-changer for small businesses. It’s how customers find you online when they’re searching for a local coffee shop, a trusted handyman, or custom T-shirt designs.

It’s not just about getting more traffic to your website—it’s about connecting with the right people.

An SEO-optimized website helps you:

• Show up in search results when people are looking for what you offer.
• Build trust and credibility with potential customers.
• Grow your business without spending a fortune on ads.

And guess what? You don’t need to be a tech expert to do it.

That’s right. You can learn how to improve your website’s SEO by yourself.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Find the Right Keywords to Attract Customers

Think of keywords as the bridge between what your customers are searching for and what you offer.

They’re the phrases people type into search engines, like “custom cakes in Seattle” or “affordable SEO for small businesses.”

Using these keywords on your website and other forms of online content is crucial because it’s how people can connect with your business when they’re searching for services or products online.

A great (and free) place to start your keyword research is Google’s search bar. Type in a topic related to your business, and take note of Google’s suggestions as you type—they’re based on popular searches.

Once you hit search, scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section. This feature provides related questions that potential customers are actively searching for.

For example, if you own a landscaping company, type in something like “landscaping ideas” or “lawn care tips.”

The “People Also Ask” section might include questions like:

• “What is the cheapest option for landscaping?”
• “What is the best time of year to fertilize a lawn?”

These questions inspire keywords that you may want to use for your website or online content to help you attract more visitors who are searching for solutions you can provide.

But remember: You need to use keywords naturally.

This means incorporating keywords where they fit seamlessly, like in headlines, subheadings, and the body text. Forced or awkward placement can turn readers off and hurt your SEO.

Want to learn more about keywords and where to use them? Check out this blog post!

Make a Great First Impression in Search Results

Your title tag and meta description are your website’s first introduction to potential visitors.

Think of them as your digital elevator pitch—they need to be clear, engaging, and persuasive enough to earn a click.

When optimized, title tags and meta descriptions don’t just improve click-through rates—they also help make the right audience find your website.

How to Optimize Your Title Tag

• Include your primary keyword (e.g., “Custom T-Shirts in Austin”).
• Keep it short and to the point—under 60 characters works best.
• Make it compelling by highlighting your unique offering or value.

For example:

“Affordable SEO Services for Small Businesses | [Your Business Name]”

How to Write a Strong Meta Description

• Summarize the page by clearly explaining what visitors can expect, in under 155 characters.
• Use action words to encourage clicks with phrases like “Order Now” or “Learn More.”
• Sprinkle in keywords naturally by including relevant terms to show search engines what your page is about.

For example:

“Boost your website traffic with affordable SEO services. Start today and attract more customers online!”

Create High-Quality, Engaging Content

Think of SEO as your online matchmaker—it’s all about connecting your expertise with the people searching for it. But SEO alone can’t do the heavy lifting—your content needs to pull its weight, too.

High-quality, engaging content doesn’t just help you climb search rankings—it also keeps visitors coming back for more.

So, what’s the secret to creating great content? Delivering real value that speaks directly to your audience.

Tips for Writing Engaging Content

Write for People First, Search Engines Second

Sometimes, business owners get so focused on appearing in search results that they forget why they're creating content in the first place: to provide value to their potential and current customers.

You need to always prioritize your audience’s needs over stuffing in keywords to land on the first page of Google. Focus on answering their questions, solving their problems, or teaching them something useful.

Answer Their Questions Before They Ask

The better your content anticipates and answers your audience’s questions, the longer they’ll stick around—and the more they’ll trust your business. This trust translates into action, whether it’s booking a service, buying a product, or reaching out for more information.

Make It Easy to Read and Skim

Most visitors won’t read every word on your website, so it’s essential to format your content for quick takeaways.

Skimmable content improves user experience, keeps readers engaged, and signals to search engines that your page is valuable. This can lead to higher rankings and more traffic.

Here’s how to make your content easy to digest:

• Breaking it into short paragraphs.
• Using descriptive headings and bullet points.
• Adding visuals like images, infographics, or videos to keep it engaging.

Not only does this help users find the information they need quickly, but it also improves mobile usability and makes your content more shareable, both key factors for SEO success.

Optimize Your Images

Images can enhance your website, but if they’re not optimized, they can also slow it down—and Google doesn’t like slow websites.

Simple Ways to Optimize Images

• Name your files descriptively (e.g., “custom-wedding-cake.jpg”).
• Add alt text that describes the image for both search engines and users with visual impairments.
• Resize and compress images to improve loading times.

For example, instead of uploading a massive photo that will display as a small thumbnail, resize it to the actual dimensions you need.

To resize images without compromising quality, try using free tools like TinyPNG or Adobe. Simply upload your photo, adjust the dimensions, and download an optimized version in seconds.

Help Visitors Explore Your Website With Internal Links

Internal links are links on your website that point to other pages. They help visitors navigate your website and help search engines understand its structure.

To get started, link related blog posts or service pages together using descriptive anchor text.

For example, “Learn more about our custom logo services” could link to your logo design page.

Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly

Most people (57%) search for local businesses using their phones, which means if your website is not mobile-friendly, you could be losing potential customers.

What Makes a Website Mobile-Friendly?

• A responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes.
• Fast loading speeds—nobody likes waiting for a page to load.
• Easy-to-click buttons and menus for seamless navigation.

You can test your website’s mobile usability using free tools like SEOMator.

If you’re starting a website from scratch, LOGO.com x Wix offers easy-to-use, customizable templates designed for mobile optimization.

7. Keep Tabs on Your SEO Efforts

SEO is not a one-and-done task.

Tracking your progress helps you understand what’s working and where you can improve your website's optimization. By monitoring your metrics, you can fine-tune your strategy over time.

The easiest (and free) way to do this is to use Google Search Console and Google Analytics.

If you use LOGO.com x Wix to create your website, there are built-in tools to help you track! Plus, you’ll have easy access to Google Analytics and Google Search Console all in one place.

Take Charge of Your Website’s SEO

SEO is a long game, so expect steady progress, not instant results.

Every slight improvement you make, from fine-tuning your title tags to exploring new keywords, brings you closer to more website traffic, stronger customer connections, and long-term success.

Start by trying one tip today—like optimizing your images or refreshing your content—and see how it improves your website.

Feeling unsure where to begin? LOGO.com x Wix makes it easy to create a professional, SEO-optimized website. With built-in tools, customizable templates, and seamless integration with Google Analytics and Search Console, you’ll have everything you need to track and enhance your website’s performance.

Ready to see the difference SEO can make? Start today, and watch your business climb the search rankings!