In today’s competitive market, small businesses must prioritise Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to stay ahead of the competition. However, the complex and time-consuming nature of SEO can be overwhelming. That’s why we have crafted this comprehensive blog post to equip you with the essentials of SEO, highlight its benefits, provide guidance on finding SEO services, and offer valuable tips for hiring the right SEO expert! The benefits far outweigh the costs. Learning how to improve my business SEO is a question often asked by business managers and that’s what you will find here.
By leveraging SEO strategies, a small business can enhance their online visibility and take their marketing efforts to the next level. This proactive approach allows local businesses to stand out from competitors, attract more customers, and drive increased web traffic to their websites. Consequently, businesses can experience improved sales, generate more leads, and achieve a better return on investment (ROI). Implementing an SEO strategy can really pay dividends for your business.
Key Points to Be Covered:
1. Understanding Small Business SEO and its Importance
2. Benefits of SEO for Your Business
3. Finding the Right SEO Services
4. Essential Criteria for Hiring an SEO Expert
Small Business SEO refers to the process of optimising a website to achieve higher rankings in organic search results. To secure a place on the first page of search engine results, a website needs a balanced combination of quality content, backlinks, and strategically chosen keywords.
Additionally, ensuring the website is responsive and mobile-friendly is crucial. The importance of SEO for small businesses is often underestimated and even more misunderstood by many business managers.
According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, a small business is classified as a company with fewer than 25 employees. In New Zealand, small businesses represent approximately 29% of the total businesses in the country.
Investing in SEO services and packages yields numerous benefits, including increased credibility, an expanded customer base, and enhanced online exposure.
1. Increased Credibility:
Opting for SEO packages can significantly boost your market credibility. Achieving a higher ranking on search engine results pages enhances your brand’s authority and instils trust in potential customers.
When your website appears on the first page of search results (no one can guarantee this!), it carries the endorsement of search engines, making consumers more likely to choose your products or services.
2. Capturing New Clientele:
Small business Search Engine Optimisation services and packages enable you to capture new customers effectively. By implementing a robust SEO strategy, you can generate a steady flow of prospects into your sales funnel.
Targeting relevant keywords ensures your website appears prominently when potential customers search for products or services you offer. This increases the likelihood of conversions as they are actively seeking solutions that align with your offerings.
3. Improved Online Exposure:
One of the primary advantages of these SEO packages is heightened online exposure. For example, if someone searches for a “Dentist in Wellington,” a well-optimised website has a better chance of securing a top position on Google and Bing’s first page.
When prospects click on your website and find it user-friendly and engaging, they are more likely to contact you, resulting in a higher conversion rate.
Finding the right SEO services can make a significant difference in your online presence and overall success. When searching for SEO services, it’s important to consider a few key factors. Firstly, assess the experience and expertise of the SEO provider.
Look for agencies or consultants with a real understanding of business and not just some computer geek. Additionally, consider their range of services, as SEO involves various aspects like keyword research, on-page optimisation, link building, and content creation.
Ensure that the SEO services align with your specific needs and goals. Transparency and communication are crucial, so look for providers who are willing to explain their strategies and provide regular updates on the progress of your SEO campaign.
Also, consider the cost and affordability of the services within your budget. Take the time to research and compare different options, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from trusted sources.
When hiring an SEO expert, there are several essential criteria to consider to ensure you find the right professional for your needs. Firstly, experience is crucial. A good SEO expert should have a deep understanding of search engine algorithms, keyword research, on-page and off-page optimisation, and link-building strategies.
They should also stay updated with the latest SEO trends and best practices. Communication is vital, so look for an expert who can explain complex SEO concepts clearly and understandably. Transparency and ethical practices are essential, so ensure the SEO expert follows industry guidelines and does not engage in any black-hat SEO techniques that could harm your website’s reputation.
SEO absolutely works for small businesses. It can be a game-changer for their online presence and success. By implementing effective SEO strategies, small businesses can improve their visibility in search engine results, attract more organic traffic to their websites, and ultimately increase their customer base and revenue.
SEO levels the playing field, allowing small businesses to compete with larger competitors by targeting niche keywords and local markets. It’s a cost-effective and long-term marketing investment that can yield significant returns for small businesses, helping them stay ahead of the competition and thrive in the digital landscape.
Setting up SEO for your small business involves several key steps. Firstly, conduct thorough keyword research to identify relevant and high-value keywords that align with your business offerings and target audience.
Next, optimise your website’s on-page elements such as title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and URL structures to include these keywords naturally. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as mobile optimisation is crucial for SEO success.
Create high-quality, original content that incorporates your target keywords and provides value to your audience. Additionally, focus on building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites to improve your site’s authority. Utilise local SEO strategies by claiming and optimising your Google My Business profile and listing your business in relevant directories.
Also, ensure your website Schema is correct. Check your MOZ local listing score. Regularly monitor and analyse your website’s performance using tools like Google Analytics and make necessary adjustments to improve your SEO strategy over time. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, so consistent effort and adaptation are key to achieving long-term success.
Yes, you can absolutely do SEO on your own. While it can be complex and time-consuming, many small business owners choose to handle their SEO efforts themselves. With the abundance of online resources and guides available, you can learn the fundamentals of SEO and implement various strategies to improve your website’s visibility and rankings.
Conduct thorough keyword research, optimise your website’s on-page elements, create high-quality content, build backlinks, and utilize other SEO techniques to enhance your online presence. However, it’s important to note that SEO requires continuous effort and staying up-to-date with the ever-evolving search engine algorithms.
If you have the time, dedication, and willingness to learn, doing SEO on your own can be a cost-effective option for small businesses. It often looks easy but it never is. It’s no different to watching the All Blacks play rugby, they make it look easy! Alternatively, you can also seek guidance from SEO experts or digital marketing agencies if you prefer to focus on other aspects of your business.
The cost of Google SEO for a small business can vary depending on several factors. Unlike paid advertising where you have direct control over your budget, SEO costs can be more flexible. It’s important to understand that SEO is a long-term investment, and the expenses associated with it typically fall into two categories: time and resources.
If you decide to handle SEO in-house, you’ll need to allocate time and time is a cost. Alternatively, if you choose to hire an SEO agency or consultant, the cost can vary significantly based on the scope of work, the competitiveness of your industry, and the level of expertise required.
Monthly retainers for small businesses can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. It’s crucial to evaluate your business goals, budget, and the potential return on investment when considering the cost of SEO for your small business.
SEO Services Pricing & Plans:
Our small business packages are designed to drive revenue growth for your business.
1. SEO Essentials Package:
– Set up a free Ahrefs account and a Google Search Console account to monitor your website
– Research your business keywords
– Comprehensive On-Page SEO (headers, descriptions, ALT text)
– Comprehensive On-Page Technical SEO Speed Optimisation
– Internal Backlink Optimisation
– 5 new pages/blog posts targeting 5 Specific Keywords (Minimum of 600 words each)
– Optimise up to 5 other pages/blog posts for important keywords
– Create 50+ high-quality external backlinks over 3 months
– List your business on all New Zealand Directories
– Monthly work report done.
Pricing: NZ$500 per month for 3 months.
2. SEO Advanced Package:
– Set up a free Ahrefs account and a Google Search Console account to monitor your website
– Research your business keywords
– Comprehensive On-Page SEO (headers, descriptions, ALT text)
– Comprehensive On-Page Technical SEO Speed Optimisation
– Internal Backlink Optimisation
– 10 new pages/blog posts targeting 10 specific Keywords (Minimum of 600 words each)
– Optimise up to 10 other pages/blog posts for important keywords
– Create 50+ high-quality external backlinks over 3 months
– List your business on all New Zealand Directories
– Monthly work report done.
Pricing: NZ$750 per month for 3 months.
3. SEO On-Page Package:
– Comprehensive On-Page SEO Optimisation (headers, descriptions, ALT text – up to 5 pages)
Pricing: A one-off fee of NZ$150.
4. SEO On-Page Speed Optimisation Package:
– Comprehensive On-Page Technical SEO Speed Optimisation – up to 5 pages
Pricing: A one-off fee of NZ$150.
I can assure you, that you will always get more work from me than you pay for! And if you are not happy, there is a 100% money-back guarantee. No questions asked.
Webprecision
P: 021 165 1882
About the author
Steve Baron is the Founder & CEO of Webprecision. He founded Baron Marketing Ltd, an advertising company he ran for over 20 years, as well as several online startups.
He is a past mentor for Business Mentors NZ and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Waikato, Majoring in Economics & Political Science. He also holds an Honours Degree in Political Science from the Victoria University of Wellington.
He is a published author of three books and a prominent guest editorialist for newspapers throughout New Zealand. In his spare time, Steve is the Clerk of the Scales for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, is a Bridge Grandmaster and enjoys walking, running and cafes.
At Webprecision, we excel in web design and SEO. We also spotlight products and services that can benefit our clients. Our team crafts high-quality content and stunning websites that are fully optimized for search engines. Let us take care of the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what you do best—growing your business. Contact us today to discover how we can enhance your SEO, refine your web design, and expand your reach.
