Most small businesses have built a website to create an online presence. They know the more targeted online traffic they have, the more leads they can generate. However, unlike larger companies, many small businesses don’t have a massive budget for search engine optimization (SEO). 
Fortunately, many easy-to-implement SEO tactics can help your small business website climb in search rankings without breaking the bank, whether you hire an outside SEO company or work on it in-house. 
A solid SEO strategy can help bolster web traffic and generate more sales leads. Focus on implementing the following key elements to get the most out of your small business SEO strategy.
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For small businesses, using the right keywords is crucial to success. You’ll want about 10 to 20 keywords to start with. 
What are your potential customers typing into Google? What are their wants and needs? Try the following ways of determining effective keywords: 
Enter your keywords into one of the best spreadsheet software solutions and accurately record how well they rank monthly.
Popular online directories help in two ways: 
There are many free websites where you can list your business. Notable directory sites include Yelp, True Local and Hotfrog. Make sure your listings appear on authoritative sites, because Google doesn’t look at every listing site favorably. With listings, quality is better than quantity. 
Regular, advice-driven and optimized small business blogs should be a core element of your SEO strategy. The more content you have, the better your target audience can find you online.
Blogs are a way to create informative, valuable content that entices your target customers to engage with your brand. Blogs can help you do the following: 
Blogs improve your online search ranking in the following ways: 
For best SEO results with your blog, consider the following: 
Repurpose your blog content to build traffic to reach people who missed it the first time. For example, expand a blog into two parts, promote evergreen content on social media, or share blog content in an email newsletter.
External linking refers to websites of authority that link back to your website. Like online directories, they help boost your online presence and show Google that your website is an authority on a particular topic. 
However, you must be thoughtful and intentional with your external linking and focus on relevant bloggers and respected online publications. Having trusted sites link back to your website also increases your overall business credibility and helps you stand out as an expert in your field. 
Optimizing your website is a technical SEO tip that can improve traffic, help with search engine rankings, and reduce friction.
When optimizing your website, ensure each web page has the following elements:
If you’re unsure about your site’s optimization, ask your web developer or have an SEO company audit your website and fix any gaps.
Website designs based on the WordPress platform are straightforward to optimize on your own. Download an SEO plugin like Yoast, MonsterInsights or Rank Math, and follow the instructions for each page on your site.
A good strategy requires analysis. Consider the following advice: 
Now that you have the core ingredients of your SEO strategy mapped, it’s time to look at resources and determine who will get the work done.
Some SEO tasks are more technical, while others are more strategic or writing-related. Splitting up the to-do list and delegating to talented team members makes sense. 
The basis of your SEO strategy rests on understanding what keywords potential customers search for. Assign the keyword task to your digital marketing manager and discuss keywords with the rest of your executive team. 
If you’re a solopreneur or handle your own marketing, this task will rest with you. If you hire an outsourced SEO resource or digital marketing agency for initial research, review the suggested keywords and ensure they align with your marketing objectives and customer intel.
Since content is a crucial element of organic SEO — not to mention keeping prospective customers on your website — you should have a good writer on staff or outsourced. Outsourcing content, such as text for landing pages and blogs, helps your SEO strategy run on autopilot in the background while you operate your business. 
This person will write your blog with keywords and keyword phrases in mind. If you use WordPress or another content management system, they can also ensure that each post meets the following criteria: 
When evaluating your outsourcing partner for writing prowess and a cultural fit, ask for references and request samples of their previous work.
You can have an intern or clerical employee register your site on multiple directories, including the all-important Google Business profile. They’ll need to enter the information accurately and handle the basics, including uploading the logo. 
SEO experts will handle critical elements of your SEO strategy, including the following: 
If you’re not convinced your business needs an SEO strategy, consider the following benefits: 
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