SEO Basics for Small Businesses: How to Rank on Google
A practical guide to optimising your website for search engines — no technical background required.
90% of users click results on the first page of Google. If your business isn't there, for most potential customers it effectively doesn't exist.
SEO (search engine optimisation) sounds complex, but the fundamentals are achievable by anyone. It's about helping Google understand what your website offers and displaying it to people who are searching for it. The good news: even a small local business can outrank large players by focusing on the right keywords.
5 Steps to Get Started With SEO Today
- Google Search Console: A free Google tool showing exactly which queries your site appears for.
- Keyword research: Write content around phrases your customers actually search (e.g. "plumber central London").
- Site speed: Slow websites are penalised by Google. Check your score on PageSpeed Insights.
- Backlinks: Recommendations from other relevant websites increase your domain authority.
- Google Business Profile: For local businesses, a complete GMB profile is a requirement, not an option.
"SEO is not a sprint. It's a marathon — and the winner is simply whoever started running."
iabco builds websites with SEO as a foundation, not an afterthought. Every project includes technical SEO optimisation, correct heading structure, and a performance audit.