These small business SEO tips will give your site a solid foundation to build on. Getting the basics right from the start is the single best move you can make for your long-term visibility. Once your fundamentals are in place, everything else – ads, email, social, content – becomes easier and cheaper to scale.
Most of this you can do yourself with a little time and access to your website. If not, make a list of what needs improving and hand it off to your web developer or marketing agency.
1. Get the Basics Right Yourself First
Even if you plan to outsource SEO later, understanding the basics will help you make better decisions and avoid snake oil.
Keyword Research
Whether you run a 5-page brochure site or a 2,000-product e-commerce store, keyword research is still where SEO starts. But in 2025, it’s less about stuffing words into pages and more about understanding search intent.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or even free ones like AnswerThePublic to find the phrases real people use. Look for:
- Long-tail queries that reflect real problems or goals (“how to repair cracked brick lintel”)
- Local intent terms (“steel supplier near Doncaster”)
- Questions people ask – they’re perfect for blog or FAQ content
You know your business best, so you’re in a great position to find the right angles.
Title and Meta Tags
Still essential, but smarter now. Every key page on your site should have:
- A unique title tag that naturally includes your main keyword and brand
- A meta description that reads like an ad – written for clicks, not bots
Keep title tags under 60 characters and meta descriptions under 155.
Forget “meta keywords” entirely – they haven’t mattered since 2010.
If your site’s large, start with priority pages: homepage, category pages, top sellers, and any page already bringing traffic.
Content
Each page should answer the intent behind the keyword it targets.
Write naturally, but structure for clarity:
- Include your main keyword early in the text
- Use subheadings to guide readers
- Add semantic variations (for example: “builders’ merchant,” “construction supplies,” “steel products”)
The key now is depth, accuracy, and originality. Don’t copy other sites. If you reference something, link to it. Use your own experience to show credibility – that’s the “Experience” part of Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines.
A helpful guide or short embedded video can turn a plain page into something that ranks and converts.
Image Optimisation
Images still affect both rankings and page speed. In 2025, Google’s Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, INP) mean fast loading is part of SEO.
Before uploading:
- Resize images to realistic display dimensions
- Use WebP or AVIF format for lighter file sizes
- Name files clearly:
steel-lintel-catnic.jpg, notIMG_0399.jpg - Add descriptive alt text (3–7 words max) for accessibility and SEO context
If your site is old, don’t rename image URLs that are already indexed unless you can set proper redirects.
2. Start a Blog (But Make It Worth Reading)
Blogging still drives results, but the approach has changed.
HubSpot’s “97% more inbound links” stat is dated, but the principle remains: consistent content attracts visibility. The difference now is quality and intent.
Don’t post 100-word filler pieces. Instead, create guides, updates, or explainers that genuinely help your customers. One good post a month beats ten thin ones.
Add images, short videos, or infographics to keep readers engaged. Share your posts across social and email to extend their reach.
3. Use Strong Calls to Action
Every page should lead a visitor somewhere – whether that’s contacting you, buying something, or signing up.
CTAs in 2025 can be:
- Buttons (“Get a Quote”, “See Prices”, “Check Stock”)
- Sticky bars or slide-ins (use sparingly)
- In-line text prompts (“Download our guide”)
Avoid pop-ups that block content. Google’s Page Experience update still penalizes intrusive interstitials on mobile.
Test placement and design – analytics tools and heatmaps (like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity) make this easy and free.
4. Build a Mailing List
Still one of the most effective marketing channels. Social algorithms change; email is yours forever.
Collect email addresses through:
- Checkout or enquiry forms
- Blog downloads or calculators
- Newsletter sign-ups with real value (for example: “Trade-only pricing updates”)
Use platforms like MailerLite, Brevo, or Mailchimp to automate campaigns. Segment by customer type so you’re not blasting everyone with the same message.
Email is the backbone of first-party data, which is increasingly important now that cookies and ad tracking are fading out.
5. Combine Online and Offline Marketing
This one still holds up perfectly. Integrate your digital presence with your real-world activity.
Print your website, QR codes, or promo codes on receipts, packaging, business cards, and vans.
Offer in-store visitors online-only discounts, and online customers in-store vouchers.
If you attend trade shows, scan leads directly into your CRM or email list. Every offline contact is a potential online customer – and vice versa.
6. Link Your Social Media Profiles
Social platforms have shifted massively since 2016, but the principle stands: keep your business visible and consistent.
Link all your major profiles to your website and vice versa:
- Facebook and Instagram for local visibility
- LinkedIn for B2B credibility
- TikTok or YouTube Shorts if your industry has a visual angle
- Threads and X (Twitter) if you can keep up with them
Google doesn’t count social links for SEO directly, but strong branded signals and name consistency help build trust and visibility.
Tip: add schema for sameAs in your site’s JSON-LD to officially link your social accounts to your business.
7. Be Active in Online Communities
Forums might have faded, but online engagement hasn’t – it’s just moved.
Get involved in:
- Industry-specific Facebook or LinkedIn groups
- Reddit communities or Quora discussions
- Local business networks and digital PR opportunities
The rule is the same: be helpful, not promotional. Genuine participation earns mentions, backlinks, and even referral traffic.
Avoid AI-spammy comments or self-promotion. Contribute real expertise and you’ll stand out in a sea of filler.
Final Word
The fundamentals of SEO haven’t really changed in ten years – Google just got better at enforcing them.
If your website loads quickly, answers real questions, builds trust, and stays active, you’ll already be ahead of 90% of small businesses online.
Start small, be consistent, and refine as you go.
