If you’ve ever wondered what “Google rankings” really mean and whether paying someone in a suit £300 a month would actually help – this blog is for you.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is simply the practice of making your business easy to find online. The great news is you can do a lot of it yourself, no huge budget needed. Here are five essential DIY SEO tips for solo entrepreneurs small businesses:

Claim Your Local Online Presence: Start by setting up a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) and other local directories like Yelp. This is free and crucial for local SEO. Fill out your profile completely (hours, address, photos) and ask happy customers to leave reviews (more on this in a later post). An active Google Business profile can dramatically boost visibility. Positive reviews and regular updates signal to Google (and customers) that you’re credible and open for business.

Use the Right Keywords on Your Website: Think about what words your ideal customers would type into Google to find businesses like yours. Those are your keywords. Incorporate these terms naturally into your website copy, page titles, and descriptions. For example, if you run a local yoga studio, phrases like “beginner yoga classes in [Your Town]” should appear on your site. Free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner can help you discover popular search terms in your area . By aligning your content with what people are searching, you increase the chance your site shows up when it matters. (Pro tip: Avoid “keyword stuffing” – don’t overdo it. Just ensure each page clearly focuses on a primary topic or phrase your customers care about.)

Create Valuable Content Regularly: A simple but powerful SEO strategy is blogging or creating resources that answer common questions your customers have. Every new blog post is a fresh opportunity to be found on Google for different search terms. If your website is just 5–6 pages, you’ll only rank for a limited set of keywords. By posting at least one piece of content a month (or as often as you can), you give Google more chances to index your site and show it to searchers . Focus on evergreen topics that stay relevant – for example, a bakery might post “5 Tips for Baking Perfect Cupcakes” which can draw in aspiring bakers year-round. Over time, this library of helpful content builds your authority and brings in organic (free!) traffic.

Optimise Your On-Page SEO: Ensure every page on your site has an informative title tag and meta description (the snippet Google shows in results). For instance, instead of a title that just says “Home,” use something like “Organic Bath Soaps in London – [Your Business Name].” This tells search engines and readers exactly what you offer. Within your pages or posts, use headings and include your target keywords in a natural way. And don’t forget internal links – link between relevant pages on your own site (e.g., from your blog post to a product page) to help Google discover and rank all your content more easily . Simple tweaks like these can improve your click-through rates and rankings over time.

Be Patient and Consistent: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Unlike paid ads that can send traffic instantly when you throw money at them, organic SEO gains take a bit longer – often 6 months or more to see significant results . This slow build may sound frustrating, but the payoff is worth it. When your site ranks well, you’ll be getting a steady stream of visitors without paying per click. In fact, 90% of web pages get basically no organic traffic from Google – usually because they’re not optimized. By applying the tips above consistently, you’re ensuring your business falls into that successful 10% that does get seen. Stick with it, and as your organic traffic grows you can even save money by relying less on ads . Remember, each small tweak and piece of content is an investment in long-term visibility.

Summary: You don’t need to hire a pricey agency to start improving your SEO. Begin with the basics – claim your Google Business listing, use customer-centric keywords on your site, and publish useful content regularly. Over time, these steps compound. Your business will climb up those Google rankings naturally, leading more customers straight to your (virtual or real) door. SEO isn’t magic or meaningless jargon – it’s about meeting your customers where they are looking. With a bit of consistent effort, you can absolutely do it yourself and see real results.