The number one website goal of every business owner is to show up at the top of Google. When someone searches for the service that you provide, you want to to be found. Not lost in the shuffle. Not stuck on page 10. Right there on page one of Google where potential customers can find you. It’s not some mysterious trick. It doesn’t take a pile of cash either.
Getting your site to rank comes down to three core pieces that any small business owner can understand and work on. You’ve probably had phone calls from “SEO experts” swearing that your site’s doomed without their expensive help. Forget that noise. Focus on these three things instead. They’re what really make an impact.
1. Content That Answers What Customers Want
Google’s job is to help people find answers. Your job is to provide them. The better your website solves problems or answers questions, the more Google likes it. Think about what your customers are typing into that search bar – the questions are usually the same ones that your customers frequently ask you on a daily basis. A plumber might hear “Why does my sink keep clogging?” A landscaper might get “When’s the best time to plant trees?” Your site can, and should, be the place they land for those answers. It’s not about stuffing in fancy keywords or writing an elaborate novel – it’s about being helpful!
Here’s how to make it work:
- Start with what you know. You have years of experience in your field. Share a tip or two that customers ask about all the time. A roofer could write about “Why ice dams wreck your shingles” or “What are the first signs of roof damage?”
- Keep it simple. No one’s got time for a lecture. A few paragraphs that get to the point will do. Make it sound like you’re explaining it over coffee.
- Think like your customers. What keeps them up at night? What do they need to know before they call you? A bakery might cover “How to pick the freshest bread.” That’s the stuff that hooks them.
- Update it regularly. Fresh info keeps your site relevant. Add a new tip every couple of weeks. It shows you’re still in the game.
Good content builds trust. It’s what gets Google to notice you. And it’s what turns searchers into customers. If you want to learn more about creating content for your site, check out this post. And don’t forget, we offer our custom content booster package to all of our clients. (We get it – it’s hard to find the time to write blog posts while you’re running your business.)
2. A Fast, Easy-to-Use Site
Picture this. You click a link. The page takes forever to load. You’re gone in seconds. Your customers are the same way. Google knows that. If your site’s slow or a pain to use, it gets bumped down the rankings. Speed isn’t just nice to have. It’s a must. Same goes for a layout that makes sense. If folks can’t find what they need fast—especially on their phones—they’re not sticking around.
Test it yourself. Pull up your site on your phone. Does it load in a couple seconds? Can you tap “Contact Us” without zooming in? If not, you’ve got some work to do. Free tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can tell you where it’s dragging. Maybe your pictures are too big. Maybe the hosting’s cheap and slow. You don’t need to be a tech expert to figure it out. A little tinkering can go a long way. A contractor’s site should let someone request a quote in two clicks. A slow, cluttered site won’t cut it. Keep it quick. Keep it clean. Google rewards that.
3. Local Signals That Say “I’m Here”
Your customers aren’t halfway across the country. They’re down the street or in the next town over. Google wants to send them your way. You just need to wave a flag so it knows where you are. Small businesses live or die by local searches. “Electrician near me.” “Best coffee in Crown Point.” That’s where you win.
Start with the basics. Put your town’s name on your pages. “Plumbing in Merrillville.” “Serving Lake County for 15 years.” Stick your address and phone number on every page – the footer is a good spot.
Then set up your Google My Business profile. It’s free and it takes 10 minutes to set up. Add your hours and a photo of your shop or truck. A florist might use a caption like “Fresh bouquets in Kokomo daily.” It’s like pinning yourself on Google’s map. People searching nearby will see you. That’s half the battle. Keep it consistent. Same name, same address, everywhere online. Google loves that. It’s how you climb the local ranks.
Another bonus point – get as many reviews as you can. When you complete a project or make a sale, ask your customers for a quick review on Google. You can even provide a direct link to make it easier for them! Customer testimonials are one of the most important ways to build trust in your business and help improve your search ranking.
Why These Three Matter
Content. Speed. Location. They’re the backbone of getting found on Google. Skip the overpriced “guarantees” from pushy callers. You don’t need a tech genius or a big budget to make this happen. Start with one piece. Write a helpful page. Check your site’s speed. Add your town’s name. You’ll see it start to pay off. It’s not instant. It’s not complicated either. It’s just what works.
You can obviously tackle this on your own if you have the time. But if you’d rather focus on running your business, we’re here to assist! Feel free to reach out for a quick chat whenever you like – schedule a free Discovery call with our team. In the meantime, these three steps are here to help you hit the ground running. Get them working and watch your site climb the ranks!
