Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a crucial part of any successful marketing strategy. It ensures that the right people, those actively searching for your products or services, can find your website and become loyal customers. In simple terms, SEO helps Google understand what your business offers, who it’s for, and when to show your website in search results based on users’ keywords.
SEO is an ongoing process. To keep your website relevant, visible, and competitive in search rankings, it requires regular attention and updates. There are some simple, effective steps you can take right now to start boosting your visibility on Google and attracting more of the right visitors to your site.
1. Optimise Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Every page on your website should have a unique title and meta description. These are the snippets that appear in Google search results, and they tell Google what your page is about.
Top Tip:
- Include your location and service in your homepage title (e.g., “Dog Grooming in Oxford – Pampered Paws”)
2. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile
One of the fastest ways to improve local SEO is to claim your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This puts your business on the map and helps you appear in local search results and on Google Maps.
Top Tip:
- Make your profile stand out by adding photos, your opening hours, website link and a short, keyword-rich description.
- Start asking happy customers to leave reviews. Google loves businesses with strong, positive feedback.
3. Use Keywords That Your Customers Actually Search
Your website needs to speak your customers’ language. Think about what they would type into Google when they’re looking for your product or service. Keyword research is an important part of your SEO strategy, and there are various online tools you can use to help you with thi.
Top Tip:
- Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or AnswerThePublic to find commonly searched phrases that relate to your products or services.
- Add those phrases naturally into your homepage, service pages, and blog content.
- Focus on just one keyword per page.
4. Improve Your Website Speed
Google prefers websites that load quickly, and so do your visitors. A slow website increases bounce rates and can negatively impact your rankings.
Top Tip:
- Compress large images using free tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh.
- Remove unnecessary plugins if you use platforms like WordPress.
- Ask your web developer to check your hosting speed or use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
5. Start a Blog (And Keep It Local)
Regular blogging is still one of the most effective SEO strategies, especially for small businesses. A regularly updated blog helps show Google that your site is active, relevant, and useful to searchers.
Quick win:
- Write simple blog posts answering common customer questions.
- Include local keywords like town names, landmarks, or regional events (e.g., “How to Choose a Wedding Photographer in Oxfordshire”).
6. Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of searches now come from mobile devices. If your website isn’t responsive, you’re not only losing visitors but also damaging your SEO.
Top Tip:
- Open your website on your phone. Is it easy to navigate? Can you read the text without zooming in?
- If not, speak to your web designer or marketing team about a mobile-optimised redesign.
7. Use Internal Links
Linking between pages on your website helps Google understand how your content connects and helps users find more of your services.
Top Tip:
- Link blog posts to relevant service pages.
- Add a “Related Services” section at the bottom of each page.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start small and focus on one or two of these SEO wins each week, and you’ll start to see results build over time.
Ava Rose Marketing is one of the leading marketing agencies in Oxfordshire. If you’d like help to develop an SEO strategy for your business, please dont hesitate to get in touch to find out more about our popular SEO Audit.