SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) helps your website show up on Google when people search for services like yours. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Small, consistent improvements make a big difference over time.
Here are the key SEO tips every beginner should know.
1. Know What Your Customers Are Searching For
Good SEO starts with understanding your customers.
Think about:
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what service you offer
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where you offer it
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how a customer would search for it
Example:
“web designer Kerry” is better than just “web designer”.
Use real-world language, not industry terms.
2. Use One Main Topic Per Page
Each page on your website should focus on one main topic or service.
For example:
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one page for web design
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one page for website maintenance
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one page for contact information
This helps Google understand what each page is about and rank it correctly.
3. Write Clear Page Titles and Headings
Page titles and headings are important for SEO.
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Your main page title should clearly describe the page
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Include your service and location where relevant
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Use headings to break up content
Example:
“Web Design for Small Businesses in Kerry”
4. Create Helpful Content
Google wants to show useful results.
Focus on:
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answering common customer questions
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explaining your services clearly
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giving helpful advice
You don’t need to post constantly, quality matters more than quantity.
5. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly
Most searches happen on phones.
A mobile-friendly website:
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loads quickly
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is easy to read
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works well on small screens
Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites in search results.
6. Improve Your Website Speed
Slow websites perform poorly in search results.
You can improve speed by:
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compressing images
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using good hosting
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avoiding unnecessary plugins
Fast websites rank better and convert more visitors.
7. Use Internal Links
Link between pages on your own website.
For example:
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link from a blog post to your services page
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link from services to your contact page
This helps Google understand your site structure and keeps visitors on your site longer.
8. Set Up Google Business Profile
If you’re a local business, this is essential.
A Google Business Profile helps you appear in:
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local searches
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Google Maps
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nearby service results
Make sure your details are accurate and up to date.
9. Get Real Reviews
Reviews build trust and help SEO.
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Ask happy customers to leave a Google review
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Respond to reviews professionally
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Avoid fake or paid reviews
Authentic reviews make a difference.
10. Be Patient
SEO is not instant.
It takes time for:
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new pages to rank
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Google to trust your website
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improvements to show results
Consistency beats quick fixes.
Final Thoughts
SEO doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Focus on clear content, helpful pages, good structure, and a solid mobile experience. Over time, these basics will help your website attract more of the right visitors.
At SwiftSites, we build websites with SEO best practices built in from the start, so small businesses can grow online without guesswork.
