Small Business SEO (+ Checklist)

If you’re a small business owner, then you know that doing SEO yourself can be a daunting task.

There’s so much information out there, and it can be hard to know where to start.

In this guide, you will learn:

• How to do effective small business SEO
• Common questions about SEO
• How to get things done (using a FREE checklist)

Let’s go.

What is Small Business SEO?

Small business SEO refers to optimizing your website so customers can find it whenever they search on Google (and Bing). A well-optimized website will rank higher in search results so customers are more likely to find you as opposed to a competitor.

If you want to grow your small business, you cannot afford to ignore SEO. Investing in your website’s optimization will provide several important benefits.

It is also worth mentioning that there are different parts of SEO:

• Keyword research
• Copywriting
• Content marketing
• Link building
• Local SEO

SEO Resources for Small Business Owners

30-Point Small Business SEO Checklist

There are many factors to consider when optimizing a website for search engines.

Here is a 30-point checklist to help you get started:

1. Get Started With Google Analytics
2. Set Up and Configure Google Search Console
3. Compliment Your Efforts With an SEO Plugin
4. Build and Submit an XML Sitemap
5. Upload Robot.txt File
6. Follow URL Slug Best Practices
7. Use Descriptive Yet Attention-Grabbing Title Tags
8. Never Use More Than One H1
9. Support On-Page Content With Both External and Internal Resources
10. Use Descriptive Image Alt Tags
11. Identify and Amend Broken Links
12. Remedy Crawl Errors
13. Optimize for Site Speed
14. Optimize Your Site for Mobile Devices
15. Secure Your Site with HTTPs
16. Use Keyword Research to Determine Which Keywords to Target
17. Integrate Long-Tailed Keywords Into Your Content Strategy
18. Understand Your Site Visitors’s Search Intent
19. Create High-Quality Content
20. Apply Schema Markup
21. Create Relevant Citations and Business Listings
22. Sign Up for Google My Business
23. Obtain Backlinks From Relevant, High-Quality Websites
24. Secure Links From Local Businesses
25. Replicate Your Competitor’s Successes
26. Prioritize Customer Reviews
27. Go Beyond Written Content
28. Combine the Power of SEO and PPC
29. Supplement SEO With Email Marketing
30. Accompany SEO With Social Media

Small Business SEO FAQs

Does SEO Work for Small Business?

The short answer is yes.

SEO can work for small businesses, but it’s important to understand that SEO is a long-term investment and doesn’t always produce results overnight.

It takes time and effort but the potential payoff is totally worth it.

How To Choose An SEO Company?

When you are looking for an SEO marketing agency, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

The best SEO agencies will have a sound marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals (not theirs).

Ideally, they will also have experience in your industry niche and be transparent in their approach to search engine optimization.

How Much Does SEO Cost For Small Business?

SEO pricing can vary depending on the services offered, the size of a client’s business, and the scope of work.

Typically, costs range from a few hundred dollars – for small, onetime projects or for SEO freelancer services – and up to thousands of dollars per month – for large projects or a heavy hands on approach.

Summary

It can seem difficult as a small business to compete with bigger corporations for space online. They have more people and more resources to dedicate to it and can hire the best experts. But the fact is that they cannot always solve or even understand the problems of their customers.

Your small business has its own expertise, experience, products and services that can help. You probably started out because you identified a problem and created a business to offer a solution for your customers. In talking with them, you know what questions they ask and what answers help the most.

All that an effective SEO strategy does is take all of that knowledge and apply it in a way that is most friendly to search engines. You can get your solutions in front of more of your customers as they search for help.

This SEO checklist helps you understand what you have to do to achieve that. They are all actionable items that can help you grow your business online. Whether you handle SEO yourself or hire an expert, you will have a better understanding of what is needed to grow your small business.