SEO basics every small business website should get right

Search engine optimisation sounds technical, but the fundamentals are straightforward. Get these right and your website is in a much better position to be found by the customers who are already looking for you.

Start with solid foundations

• Use HTTPS so the site is secure.
• Make sure the site works well on mobile.
• Keep pages fast. Slow pages frustrate visitors.

Give every page one clear job

Each page should focus on one topic, with a descriptive title tag (aim to keep it under about 60 characters so it is not cut off), a meta description that reads like a helpful summary (roughly 150 to 160 characters) and one main heading followed by logical subheadings.

Write for real questions

Think about what your customers actually ask before they buy, and answer those questions in plain language on your site. Use the words your customers use, not internal jargon. If you serve a local area, mention it naturally.

Sort out your local details

• Claim and complete your Google Business Profile.
• Keep your business name, address and phone number identical everywhere they appear.
• Add opening hours and keep them current.

Cover the technical basics

• Publish an XML sitemap and submit it in Google Search Console.
• Add descriptive alt text to meaningful images.
• Link related pages to each other.
• Fix broken links promptly.

Be patient and keep measuring

SEO is not instant. Check Search Console regularly to see which searches bring people to your site, then improve the pages that matter most. Every Excelsites website launches with basic SEO in place, so you start from a strong foundation.