What is SEO, Really?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of making your website more visible when people search Google for things related to your business.
When someone searches "plumber Sydney" and your plumbing business appears on the first page-that's SEO working.
Why Should You Care?
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine
- 75% of users never scroll past page one
- Organic traffic is free (unlike paid ads)
- SEO compounds over time
The Three Pillars of SEO
1. Technical SEO
Your website needs to be technically sound for Google to properly read and rank it:
- Fast loading – Under 3 seconds ideally
- Mobile-friendly – Must work on phones
- Secure – HTTPS is essential
- Crawlable – Google can access all pages
- No errors – No broken links or pages
2. On-Page SEO
Each page needs to be optimized for specific keywords:
- Title tags – Include your main keyword
- Meta descriptions – Compelling summaries that include keywords
- Headings – Proper H1/H2/H3 structure
- Content – Valuable, original, keyword-relevant
- Images – Alt text describing each image
- Internal links – Connect related pages
3. Off-Page SEO
Your website's reputation matters:
- Backlinks – Other sites linking to yours
- Google Business Profile – Critical for local businesses
- Reviews – More positive reviews = better visibility
- Social mentions – Activity on social platforms
- Local citations – Directory listings (Yellow Pages, TrueLocal)
Local SEO: The Quick Win
For location-based businesses, local SEO delivers the fastest results:
- Claim Google Business Profile – Free and essential
- Add NAP everywhere – Name, Address, Phone (consistently)
- Get reviews – Ask happy customers
- Use local keywords – "electrician Brisbane" not just "electrician"
- Create location pages – If you serve multiple areas
Common SEO Mistakes
- Stuffing keywords unnaturally
- Ignoring mobile users
- No HTTPS security
- Slow loading speeds
- Duplicate content
- Missing meta descriptions
- Not claiming Google Business Profile
How Long Does SEO Take?
Honest answer: 3-6 months for significant results. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint.
But the payoff is worth it-sustainable, free traffic that compounds over time.
Getting Started
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Make sure your site is fast and mobile-friendly
- Add location keywords to your page titles
- Ask for customer reviews
- Create useful content about your industry
See how we build SEO into every website from day one.