Running a small business means wearing many hats, and managing your online presence can often take a backseat. But with the right tools and strategies, a DIY SEO campaign can help you boost your search rankings, drive more traffic to your website, and ultimately grow your business—all on your own. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to run a successful DIY SEO campaign, even if you’re just starting out. Whether you’re looking to rank higher on Google or simply increase your online visibility, these tips will help set you on the right path.
Need some extra help along the way? At In-Page SEO, I specialize in helping small businesses like yours build effective SEO strategies that drive results. View my SEO services and let me guide you to SEO success!
Before diving into SEO, it’s essential to define specific goals. Are you aiming to increase organic traffic, improve search rankings, or enhance conversions? Setting clear objectives will guide your SEO efforts and help you measure the effectiveness of your strategies. Having well-defined goals makes your efforts more focused and impactful.
Keyword research is the backbone of any successful SEO effort. Start by brainstorming words and phrases your ideal customers might type into a search engine when looking for products or services like yours. Think about specific questions they might ask or problems they’re trying to solve.
To refine your list, try searching these phrases yourself and note the suggestions that appear in search engine autocomplete or the related searches at the bottom of the results page. Focus on longer, more specific phrases (called long-tail keywords) that match your audience’s intent—these often attract people who are ready to take action or make a decision.
A successful DIY SEO campaign starts with an audit of your website. Check for issues like broken links, slow page load speeds, and mobile responsiveness. Use free tools like Google Search Console or paid tools like Ahrefs to identify on-site problems that might be hindering your rankings. Regular SEO audits ensure your website remains optimized for both users and search engines.
Dive Deeper into Technical SEO
Don’t overlook the behind-the-scenes tech stuff—this is what helps Google understand and rank your site. Some essentials to look into:
Page Speed: Use PageSpeed Insights to identify what’s slowing down your site.
Mobile-Friendliness: Make sure your site looks and functions well on mobile.
Broken Links & Redirects: Clean up dead links and ensure redirects are working properly.
Indexability: Use Google Search Console to check if your pages are getting indexed.
Pro Tip: If you’re using WordPress, tools like Rank Math or AIOSEO can guide you through these tasks more easily.
Understanding what your competitors are doing well can provide valuable insights. Study their content strategies, backlink profiles, and the keywords they’re ranking for. Identify any gaps or areas where you can improve. This analysis will help you fine-tune your approach and give you a competitive edge.
On-page SEO refers to the content and structure of your website. Start by optimizing title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and images. Ensure each page is targeted toward a specific keyword and provides valuable, well-structured content. Proper on-page optimization helps search engines understand your pages better and improves user experience.
Content is king in SEO. Develop high-quality, informative content that answers the questions your target audience is asking. Blog posts, how-to guides, and case studies are all effective ways to provide value. When you publish content consistently, you not only improve your search engine rankings but also build trust with your audience.
Demonstrate Your E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
Google loves content from people who actually know what they’re talking about. Here’s how to show it:
Add Author Bios: Show off your experience and credentials (even a short “Hi, I’m Lidia and I help women-led businesses grow online…”).
Link to Sources: Cite reputable sites when quoting data or tips.
Use Case Studies or Testimonials: If you don’t have them yet, consider a “what I’d do” sample audit for a fictional biz.
These small additions can make your content more credible and help you rank better.
Backlinks from reputable websites signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy. Focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks through guest blogging, partnerships, or content promotions. A strong backlink profile improves your site’s domain authority and boosts its rankings in search results.
Once you launch your SEO campaign, it’s important to track your progress. Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor key metrics such as traffic, bounce rates, and conversion rates. Regularly reviewing this data will help you understand what’s working—and where you might need to make adjustments. Remember, SEO isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing effort that requires regular check-ins and optimizations.
To make this easier, I created a free SEO Campaign Progress Tracker you can print or use digitally. It’s a simple, no-fluff tool to help you stay focused, organized, and motivated.
Set clear goals and track your wins:
Give your SEO efforts structure and clarity—without the overwhelm.
If your business caters to a specific geographic area, local SEO is a must. Claim your Google My Business listing and optimize it with accurate, up-to-date information. Encourage customer reviews and ensure that your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent across online directories. Local SEO helps you reach customers in your community and increases your visibility in local search results.
SEO is a constantly evolving field, with search engine algorithms frequently changing. To stay competitive, it’s essential to stay informed about SEO trends and best practices. Follow trusted sources like Google’s Webmaster Blog or Moz to ensure your SEO strategies remain effective. Adapting to changes in the SEO landscape will help you stay ahead of the competition.
SEO can feel like a maze, especially when you’re doing it yourself. To make things easier, here’s a visual roadmap to follow. Whether you’re just starting out or optimizing what’s already working, this infographic lays out the SEO journey in 8 clear steps.
Running a DIY SEO campaign can seem daunting, but with the right strategy and tools, it’s entirely achievable. If you need assistance in setting up or refining your SEO efforts, consider booking an SEO Power Hour session and I can help guide your small business to success online.
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