Let’s face it, SEO sounds intimidating and can have a business owner quivering in the corner like a jibbering wreck but it doesn’t have to. Think of it as the art (and a little bit of science) of getting your business noticed by search engines like Google. Ready to demystify it? Let’s dive into some easy-to-digest, actionable SEO tips that can can tempt you out of any corner

Keyword Research: The Treasure Map to Being Found

Keywords are literally the words that someone would type into Google when they’re searching for something. Your mission - and as you’re reading this, I know you’ve chosen to accept it - is to make sure your business pops up near the top of the list when they do. Imagine what your ideal customer might search for. For example, “best yoga classes in Nottingham” or “affordable website design.” You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find popular terms.

It’s not just single words, either - or short keywords. Focus on long-tail keywords (phrases like ‘eco-friendly yoga mats for beginners’) which are more specific, easier to rank for, and attract people closer to making a decision. Think of it like fishing with a fine net instead of a giant trawler, you catch the ones you really want

Or as Lee-ann at NotLuck likes to do, you can get creative with a big ol’ piece of paper and some coloured pens - brainstorm and write down any words or phrases you can think of that people might use to find you. Have a Google of these terms for yourself, what comes near the top of the search for those words?

(You may notice a few business listed at the top of the pages, as ‘sponsored listings’. This means that these companies have paid Google to show their website details for the search terms that you’ve used. More on this in a later blog.)

Create Content People Actually Give A Shit About

You wouldn’t invite someone over for dinner and serve them empty plates, right? Your website’s content should feed your audience’s curiosity and needs - we’re not serving up dust and soggy lettuce, here, we want to delight their senses with a hearty cordon bleu meal.

So write blogs, guides, or FAQs that answer your customers’ burning questions.

One tip? Keep track of the questions your customers ask you, whether it’s through emails, social media, or conversations. For every person who asks, there are likely dozens wondering the same thing. Write about those questions, and you’ve got yourself a blog idea that’s ready to serve!

Use headings, bullet points and images to break up the wordy-wordiness of a long batch of information - make it easy on the eye. Most websites will have the functionality to use Semantic HTML.

Now, before I have you skittering off to jibber in the corner, let me explain:

Semantic HTML is like the labels on your spice jars. If you put paprika in a jar marked “salt,” you’re going to confuse the heck out of whoever’s cooking, and they might end up with a weird-tasting dinner. Semantic HTML makes sure that each part of your content (like headings, paragraphs, or lists) is clearly labeled so search engines know what’s what. It’s not just for search engines, though, these labels also make your site more accessible for people using screen readers. So, no mislabeled spice jars, okay?

Search engines love that, and so will your audience.

Just in case you’ve backed off into that corner again at the mention of writing blog posts for your business, in the immortal words of the Spice Girls,

🎶 Stop right now, thank you very much

Here at NotLuck, we happen to offer a rather snazzy and competitive blog-writing service that takes all the writers block away from your plate and serves you up some nice SEO-nutrient-rich consistent and relevant blog posts head here to learn more.

Meta Tags: Your Website’s Elevator Pitch

Meta tags are like the little blurbs you see on a movie poster, short, enticing, and designed to grab attention. Make sure each page on your site has a unique title and meta description. Use keywords naturally, and keep it snappy (under 160 characters for descriptions). Instead of “Home Page,” try “Affordable Digital Marketing Services – Grow Your Business Today.”

Mobile Optimisation: Because Everyone’s on Their Phone

I know you’re spending ages at your desk in front of your computer screen getting your website tiptop for best displaying your products or services - top points to you! But let’s be frank, your well-prepared webpage is very likely going to be read by someone waiting for a train.

Or from the sofa after dinner.

Or from the toilet.

You have to make it easy to read from a mobile device. It should be no newsflash that Google ranks your website based on how it looks on a phone.

Test your site on your own phone: Can you scroll, click, and read without squinting or wanting to throw your phone? If not, fix it pronto. Mobile users are impatient, don’t give them a reason to bounce.

If your site’s clunky, you’re losing points, and potential customers. Use responsive design so your site adapts to all screen sizes. Test it by poking around your website on your own phone - can you easily navigate, click buttons, and read text? If not, time to fix it.

Wrapping It Up (For Now)

Congrats - you’ve tackled the SEO basics! By nailing your keywords, serving up content your audience actually cares about, and making sure your site is mobile-friendly, you’re already a step ahead of the competition.

…but we’re just scratching the surface.

In Part 2, we’ll dive into the juicy stuff: making your website faster, earning those all-important backlinks, and crafting a user experience so smooth it’ll make your visitors swoon.

Keep your eyes peeled - it’s coming soon!

And hey, if you’re ready to take your SEO strategy up a notch, remember that the team at NotLuck has decades of experience and specialist know-how. We just might be able to alchemise your bold ideas into gold!

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