SEO Made Easy: Quick Fixes for Your Website

Odds are, you’re here because you own a small business or play a key role in one. There is also a good chance you’ve heard about the term “SEO” before. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is basically a measurement of how well your site appears on Google. 

Good SEO means your site appears towards the top of Google’s results when searching for something that pertains to your business. Bad SEO, on the other hand, means you’re buried under some of your competitors and, worse of all, not appearing on the first page at all. The good news is that to improve your SEO, you don’t need to be a computer wiz to figure this out. There are a few simple steps you can take right now that will help improve your site's SEO today!

Here are four easy ways to give your company site an SEO boost.

1. Update Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

Every page on your site has what is called a “title tag” and a “meta description.” These are snippets that appear in Google’s search results. If they’re blank, auto-generated, or filled with irrelevant information about the page’s content, you’re missing a big SEO opportunity.

Here’s what you can do:

• Use your main keyword + location in the title (example: “Honeybee Media | Digital Marketing in Southern Wisconsin”).

• Keep titles under 60 characters and meta descriptions under 160 characters.

• Make the description inviting; think of it as a mini ad.

Example of our homepage page title and meta description

2. Keep Your Google Business Profile Up to Date

Your Google Business Profile isn’t on your site,  but it’s often the first thing customers see in search results, making it critical for SEO.

If you do not currently have a profile for your business or do not have access to your business profile, visit Google’s support page first to get access. Then, follow these steps:

Example of a good Google Business Profile

• Make sure your business name, address, and phone number are correct.

• Make sure your website is properly linked

• Add updated hours, photos, and a clear description of what you offer.

• Ask happy customers to leave reviews; Google loves them, and so do potential customers

Think of your Google Business Profile as your business's digital storefront. The more complete and updated it is, the more likely people are going to click through to your site or give you a call.

3. Consistently Keep Your Site Fresh With Content

SEO isn’t a one-time thing, its ongoing, and the algorithm is always evolving. Google tends to favor the sites that are regularly updated.

Not sure what to add to your site? Here are some suggestions to get started:

• Start a blog: Just like we are doing here right now, a blog is a great way to keep your site up to date, with relevant content related to your business.

• Success stories: Show examples of how you’ve helped a client or something you’ve done for the community

• Testimonials & Reviews: You can tie in your Google reviews directly to your site. A win-win!

• Photo gallery: You may already have one on your site, but making sure that gallery is updated regularly is an SEO win.

We’re not saying you need to do all of this or need to constantly stress over it, but implementing some of these tactics regularly will go a long way.

4. Speed Up Your Site

It’s never fun when you visit a website and it takes a while to load. If your site has slow-loading pages, users are far more likely to drop off, and Google takes note of that.

Here’s what you can do:

• Compress your images before adding them to your site. Not sure how to do that? Read this article from WordPress here to get the 101. 

• Remove old plugins and make sure your plugins are up to date. There is a good chance that you are using WordPress for your site. Plugins can be a hassle, but this article from WordPress will show you more about how to manage those pesky plugins. 

• Make sure your site is mobile-friendly. More than half of your site’s web traffic is going to be people on phones, so it is best to prioritize the design and optimization of mobile layout.

Now You Are Off to a Great SEO Start!

Improving your SEO doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Start small, update your Google Business Profile this week, refresh your page titles next, and keep building from there. Little by little, these steps can make a noticeable difference in how easily people find your business online.

SEO isn’t about shortcuts or tricks. It’s about keeping your website useful, relevant, and up to date so it works harder for you and the customers you want to reach.

Still too much to take in? That’s where we come in. At Honeybee, we specialize in website optimization and SEO strategies that help local businesses show up and stand out. Reach out to our team today.  We’d love to help your business get found online!