Last Updated on June 27, 2026 by Tara Reid
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of structuring your website and content so the right people find you through search engines like Google. For small business owners, coaches, and creatives, it’s one of the most reliable ways to get found online without paying for ads or posting daily on social media.
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Also check out: Guide to Optimizing Your Squarespace Website
So, here’s SEO in a nutshell, you have the Google search engine, and when someone types in a phrase, that’s called a keyword. The businesses or websites that pop up when that term is searched for are ranking for that specific keyword/phrase.
Imagine having people search for a business like yours, and your website pops up first! That’s a huge accomplishment and the main goal of SEO.
You want to be the business that comes up in the search engines when someone is looking for assistance or products similar to what you provide.
The more eyes that visit your website and see your content, the better off your company will be. At the bare minimum when people search for your business name and you’re NOT in the first 3 websites that pop up, that’s a problem.
Potential customers need to find your business easily if they want to do buy from you. What do you do when you can’t find the restaurant you’re wanting to try? You probably go somewhere else and type in different keywords, right?
How Can I Get Noticed In Search Engines?
It seems like you should be able to come up with a keyword and your business shows up on the first page of Google – one and done right?
There are billions of hits on Google and for your business to stand out you have to know SEO techniques and how to rank for something called ‘long tail’ keywords.
For example, someone who wants a virtual assistant who specializes in doctor’s offices will search for something along the lines of, ‘virtual assistant for doctors.’
This virtual assistant will need to have those exact words on their page and a mix of other keywords that are similar to this phrase to begin ranking. Using these same keywords on social media is helpful as well.
The only problem is that Google is getting smarter, so SEO experts need to be more strategic and do in-depth keyword research to find a term that doesn’t have too many hits or searches, so their website will actually show up on the first page of the search engine.
What does it mean to rank for a keyword?
When you rank for a keyword or keyword phrase your website pops up when someone searches for that phrase.
Which is the most awesome feeling ever because if you’re doing SEO right then you’ve used a phrase that your potential customers are using to find businesses like yours.
SEO is one of the best ways to advertise your business. Finding other websites with more credibility and authority than you is essential. If you can get these websites to link back to your website, then Google thinks that you must be important [this gives your website a boost in the search engine]
Starting a company blog is one of the best ways to use SEO to your advantage. After finding keywords that your ideal customers are using you can place these keywords throughout your blog content.
Here’s a bonus tip for SEO: Use the keyword phrase of your choice in graphics and photos on your website. You can even use your business name when naming images on your blog.
How do I find these keywords?
Here are a few tools you can use to get started with SEO for your small business. Keyword io, SEM Rush, and the Yoast plugin on WordPress will help you to manage keywords, phrases, and your website content.
Search traffic is a relatively cost-efficient way to bring in more leads which eventually leads to more sales. Now there’s a lot more than goes into SEO but now that you have the basics you can start positioning your website in a better light.
SEO Basics Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEO for small businesses?
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of structuring your website and content so the right people find you through search engines like Google. For small business owners, coaches, and creatives, it is one of the most reliable ways to get found online without paying for ads or posting daily on social media.
Why does SEO matter for coaches and creatives?
SEO matters because it puts your work in front of people who are actively searching for what you offer. A coach or creative who ranks for the right keywords gets a steady stream of warm leads who already want help, instead of relying on cold outreach or constant promotion to stay visible.
How long does SEO take to work for a small business?
SEO usually takes three to six months to show meaningful results, and it builds from there. It is a long-term strategy rather than a quick win, but the traffic it brings is compounding and durable. A well-optimized page can keep bringing in visitors for years after you publish it.
Do I need to be technical to do SEO?
No. The basics of SEO are approachable for any small business owner. If you can write content that answers real questions, use clear page titles, and organize your site so it is easy to navigate, you are already doing the most important parts. The technical pieces can be layered in over time.
Tara Reid is a business and marketing strategist for introverted and multipassionate entrepreneurs. She has been an online entrepreneur since 2007 and left social media completely in 2022, growing her business instead through SEO, blogging, email marketing, Pinterest, evergreen funnels, and collaboration. She helps coaches, course creators, and service providers grow sustainable income without performing for an algorithm.
As the founder of the Introvertpreneur Club, Tara’s mission is to show heart-centered entrepreneurs that you don’t have to be loud to be successful. You just need the right strategies that fit your personality.
When she’s not supporting clients or creating new resources, you can find her at home in Canada with her three rescue dogs, a cup of coffee in hand, dreaming up her next project.
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