How to use SEO to boost your business

We recently hosted Michelle Poirier, founder of Machi Marketing Solutions for a one-hour workshop to help navigate the basics of SEO. In this blog, we’ll break down the key takeaways from Michelle’s workshop & learn simple SEO tips for small business. Let’s dive in!

What’s SEO, Anyway?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about making your website more visible on search engines like Google and Bing. It’s not some mysterious tech wizardry— it’s simply a set of smart strategies to help people find you when they’re searching for what you offer. Think of it as setting up a bright neon sign for your business in the digital world.

Why Does SEO Matter?

• It’s not dying: Despite some internet buzz around SEO becoming a thing of the past, the truth is that SEO is still a powerhouse for getting noticed online. It’s not dying, it’s evolving, and it continues to be one of the best ways to get your small business noticed.
• It’s everywhere: From your website to blog posts and social media, SEO helps you pop up in searches across the internet.
• It drives traffic: More clicks mean more potential customers walking through your (virtual) door.

Types of SEO You Need to Know

Michelle focused on two main flavors of SEO:

1. Content SEO: This is about creating awesome content—think blog posts, product descriptions, or guides—that naturally includes the words people are searching for.
2. Technical SEO: This is the behind-the-scenes stuff, like making sure your website loads fast and is easy to navigate. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a coder to get this right!

Looking for more SEO tips? Check out this blog to learn all you need to know about local SEO.

Keywords: Your SEO Superpower

Keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google. They come in two types:

• Short-tail keywords: Broad terms like “shoes” or “coffee.” These are super competitive.
• Long-tail keywords: Specific phrases like “best running shoes for women with flat feet” or “cheap pet insurance for senior dogs.” These are gold because they target exactly what your audience is looking for.

How to Pick the Right Keywords

1. Know your audience: Who’s buying from you? If you’re selling toys, target the parents, not the kids. Think about their education level and what they’re searching for.
2. Ditch the jargon: Instead of “amortization schedule calculator,” go for “tool to calculate monthly home loan payments.” Speak your customers’ language!
3. Mix problem and solution keywords:
   • Problem-focused (for awareness): “back pain from sitting all day.”
   • Solution-focused (for conversions): “best yoga poses for lower back pain relief.”

Where to Put Those Keywords

Sprinkle your keywords in these spots on your website:

• The text on your pages (website copy)
• Your website’s URL
• Blog posts (like this one!)
• Image file names (e.g., “vegan-recipes.jpg” instead of “img123.jpg”)
• Alt text (short descriptions of images for accessibility—helps screen readers and SEO)

Brainstorming Keyword Ideas

Stuck on keywords? Try these:

• Chat with folks outside your industry for fresh perspectives
• Use AI tools like AnyModel.xyz to spark ideas
• Peek at what your competitors are doing (no copying, just inspiration!

Ready to Get Started?

SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small—pick a few long-tail keywords that fit your audience, add them to your website, and watch the magic happen. 

Need help putting these simple SEO tips into practice for your business? Reach out to Michelle for help with everything from SEO to digital ads and event promotion.

Book a free consultation with Michelle >