Still Wondering If SEO Is Worth It? Small Business Owners, Read This First!
So maybe you’ve JUST launched that rad business you’ve been dreaming about.
Your website is polished, cute, social media is fun and bumpin’ and your branding is on point.
The products or services are ready to wow your target audience.
You hit "publish," and then... nothing. No website traffic, no leads and definitely no sales.
Yikes, sound familiar?
I’ve been there.
When I first started my business it was actually a social media marketing business called “social media remodel” and my target audience (or avatar) was trades and contractors. Clever right?
I had a few clients, but I was just baffled at why I could never get new clients through Google - I mean, that’s the whole point of Google isn’t it?
So I was at a crossroads, either I pay someone to do all the technical crap no one really wants to do, OR learn and do it myself.
I didn’t have a huge marketing budget so I taught myself.
YouTube, Hubspot, Coursera and even Google have a ton of free resources. You can definitely self-teach yourself.
But honestly, it’s A LOT and most small businesses owners just won’t have the time to run a business AND do their own SEO/marketing.
It goes without saying: just having a website doesn't mean people will find it.
t’s like opening a coffee shop and not telling ANYONE about it.
Yes and if you're a small business owner trying to grow online, this little acronym might just be your best marketing friend.
So WTF Is SEO?
In the most simplest terms SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is a just a fancy way of saying: "making your website easy for the people looking for your service or product to find on Google."
When people type in "best coffee shop in [your town]" or "how to book a branding photoshoot," SEO is the magic fairy dust that helps your business pop up on that first page instead of getting buried under your competitors.
If you’ve ever wondered how some businesses show up so high on Google search, it’s because of great SEO (or paid ads, but we don’t need to get into that here)
It's like turning the lights on in your digital storefront and making it super easy for your audience so they can actually find you.
Why Is SEO Important for Small Businesses?
I’m going to break this down for you and explain why SEO isn't just a "nice to have" it is absolutely a must-do:
1. Visibility Equals Sales
If you're not showing up on search engines for the services you offer, your competitors ARE and this means you're leaving money on the table.
SEO helps more of the right people find your business at the exact moment they're looking for what you offer.
You can’t sell anything if no one knows where to find you.
2. It Levels the Playing Field
The big brands have big budgets, but smart SEO don’t right can help small businesses compete, especially in local markets.
You don't need a million-dollar ad spend to show up first; just a solid strategy is a great place to start (you gotta start somewhere!)
3. It Builds Trust
For the most part people trust Google.
So it’s not surprising 91% of “internet searches” begin with Google (although social media platforms are taking a little bit of this market)
If your business shows up in those top search results, it instantly boosts your credibility. Plus, great SEO includes high-quality content that positions you as the expert in your niche.
BADAbingBADABOOM.
4. It Works While You Sleep
Paid ads stop the second you stop paying.
SEO? It's the long game. Once your content ranks, it keeps bringing in traffic day and night, no paying out of pocket.
SEO is compound marketing interest. As you build it and optimize you start seeing results within 3-6 months. Patience and consistency is the name of the game here.
The ROI of SEO for Small Businesses
SEO is absolutely one of the highest-ROI marketing tools a small business can invest in.
Unlike social media posts that vanish in 24 hours or ads that stop running when your budget dries up, a well-optimized website and blog continue working behind the scene, bringing in leads, sales and brand awareness 24/7.
Here's what SEO can do for a small business:
Drive consistent traffic without paying for every click
Attract local customers searching for your exact services
Build trust and authority in your industry
Reduce your reliance on social media algorithms
Help you scale without burning out
If you're trying to grow sustainably without the ol’ pay and pray marketing technique, SEO isn't just "worth it" - it’s SUPER neccessary and I would even say CRUCIAL if you are hoping to grow your business long-term (and who isn’t)
Common Misconceptions About SEO
"SEO is too technical for me."
I agree, overall SEO is kinda boring, technical and has a giant learning curve, BUT many aspects are straightforward and easy even if you have ZERO tech knowledge.
SEO can totally be done by any small business owner with the right guidance.
There are a ton of awesome free tools like Google Business Profile, Google Analytics and Google Search Console that will provide valuable insights without requiring a tech background.
With these insights you can fix and optimize your efforts.
I always say, SEO is a marketing marathon NOT a sprint.
"SEO takes too long to see results."
Yeah, SEO is a long-term investment, but once you start seeing the benefits (like a super consistent, steady stream of traffic, leads and sales) If it was so easy, everyone would be doing it (sadly only 33% of small businesses have an SEO strategy! GAH)
Unlike paid ads that stop delivering once the budget runs out, or the social media post that disappears into the internet ether, SEO continues to drive traffic over time, providing a sustainable source of leads. This means less work for you in the future.
"I can rely solely on social media."
I started my business on social media and I agree social media is a super valuable tool and a very important component of a successful marketing strategy, but algorithms change and reach can be unpredictable.
And really, you are renting the social media space, it could even disappear (‘member TikTok?)
SEO ensures your business is discoverable through search engines, providing a consistent and reliable traffic source. You own your website. you don’t own your social media accounts.
How to Get Started with SEO
Conduct Keyword Research: Identify the terms (think about what people type into Google) your potential customers are searching for and incorporate them naturally into your website content.
Optimize On-Page Elements: Ensure your website's titles, meta descriptions, headers, and content are optimized for your target keywords.
Create High-Quality Content: Regularly publish informative and engaging content that addresses your audience's needs and questions.
Build Backlinks: Acquire links from reputable websites to increase your site's authority and search engine rankings.
Improve Site Speed and Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your website loads quickly and is accessible on all devices.
Utilize Local SEO: Optimize your Google Business Profile and include local keywords to attract nearby customers. Most searches start with “(a business) near me”.
Final Thoughts - You Gotta Sow The SEO
Your business is a digital garden, you must consistent tend to it, improve it, weed things out and check in on it regularly.
You would never just build a garden and expect it to take care of itself. RIGHT?
SEO is kinda like exercise, for the best results (which are LONG TERM) CONSISTENCY > QUICK FIXES/FAD DIETS right?
It’s time to get your business found and profitable, you deserve it - it’ll just a bit of work (like anything)
So YEAH - it’s definitely worth it, I’d even say it’s a part of your marketing strategy that is necessary for success.
If this blog post bored the F out of you and you hate tech stuff, you can always hire me to do it for you!
Start with a free website audit and we’ll go from there.
Talk soon