What the Heck is SEO??

What Is SEO and Why It Matters for Your Business Website

If you’ve ever wondered why some businesses show up at the top of Google search results — and how your website can get there — you’re not alone. It all comes down to something called SEO, or Search Engine Optimization.

Let’s break it down.

What Is SEO?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of making changes to your website (and sometimes outside of your website) to help it show up higher on search engines like Google when people search for things related to your business.

Think of Google like a giant library — but instead of books, it’s organizing billions of websites. SEO is how you make sure your site is easy to find, easy to read, and clearly about the topic someone is searching for.

Why Is SEO Important?

Most people don't scroll past the first page of Google results. That means if your business isn’t near the top, potential customers may never find you — even if you offer exactly what they’re looking for.

A well-optimized website can:

  • Bring in more local traffic

  • Help you get more calls, bookings, or sales

  • Build trust and credibility with potential customers

What Makes SEO Complicated?

SEO is not a one-time task. It's ongoing, and it involves many moving parts. Here’s why it can be tricky:

  • Google’s algorithm changes constantly — what works today might not work tomorrow.

  • Google does not hand over the exact details of this algorithm. There’s no simple instruction manual to make your website show up on top. The algorithm is both complex and a trade secret.

  • Your competitors are also trying to rank higher.

  • Results don’t happen overnight — good SEO can take weeks or months to show real progress.

It’s not about “tricking” Google — it’s about helping Google understand what your business is about, and why it’s relevant and trustworthy.

The Key Parts of SEO

Here are some of the main areas we focus on when optimizing a site:

1. On-Page SEO (what’s on your website)

  • Page Titles and Descriptions: Making sure each page has a clear, keyword-friendly title and description.

  • Headings and Content: Structuring your content so it's easy to read and includes the right search terms naturally.

  • Images: Using descriptive file names and “alt text” so Google understands what your images show.

  • Mobile Optimization: Making sure your site works great on phones — because Google cares a lot about that.

  • Page Speed: A slow site can hurt rankings, so we make sure your site loads quickly.

2. Local SEO (especially important for small businesses)

  • Google Business Profile: Claiming and optimizing your Google listing helps your business appear in local maps and searches.

  • NAP Consistency: Making sure your Name, Address, and Phone Number are consistent everywhere on the web.

  • Local Keywords: Using phrases people in your area are likely to search for.

3. Technical SEO (under the hood)

  • Clean site structure and navigation

  • Fast loading times

  • Secure (HTTPS)

  • Submitting your site to Google via Search Console

  • Proper use of tags and schema markup (helps Google better understand your content)

4. Off-Page SEO (things outside your website)

  • Links from other websites to yours (called backlinks) show Google that your site is trustworthy.

    • Do you have social media profiles you can link to your site?

    • Do you have profiles on trades websites? Can you paste your website link into them?

    • Can you get featured in an online article, high-profile post, or interview linking to your website?

  • Online reviews, social media activity, and directory listings can also play a role.

Can You “Guarantee” a #1 Ranking?

Short answer: no — and beware of anyone who says they can.

Google’s algorithm is complex and secret. What we can do is follow best practices, help your site look as good as possible to both humans and search engines, and give your business a strong foundation to grow online.

Final Thoughts

SEO can seem like a mysterious black box — but it really comes down to making your site helpful, clear, and trustworthy for both visitors and search engines.

If you’d like help making your website SEO-friendly, or if you're starting from scratch, I’m happy to guide you through the process and take care of the technical details so you can focus on running your business.