5 SEO Tips to Boost Your Online Presence

Let’s talk about SEO—the term that gets thrown around like glitter in the marketing world. For a small business owner, hearing “you need better SEO” often feels like someone saying, “You should really learn to build a spaceship.”

Helpful? Maybe. Clear? Not so much.

Here’s the thing: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) does matter. If you want people to find your business online, it’s a must. But it doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or soul-sucking.

In fact, most small businesses can improve their online presence with a few straightforward, strategic moves that don’t require a developer, a 12-week course, or a budget the size of a national campaign.

So, if you’re wondering how to get your business seen without diving into the deep end of digital chaos—this is for you.

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1. Google Yourself—and Then Fix What You See

Start simple: search your business name on Google.

What comes up?

• Is your website listed?
• Does your Google Business Profile show up?
• Are your hours, phone number, and reviews accurate?
• Do you see social media links or old directories?

This is your digital storefront. If what shows up doesn’t look trustworthy or complete, potential customers will move on fast.

What to do:

• Claim and fully update your Google Business Profile
• Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent across the web
• Remove or request updates to outdated or incorrect listings

This alone can dramatically improve your local search visibility—especially for businesses with physical locations or service areas.

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2. Make Your Website Skimmable and Searchable

People don’t read websites. They scan them. And so does Google.

If your homepage has one long paragraph, three rotating sliders, and a fancy video that takes 10 seconds to load—Google’s not impressed. Neither is your customer.

Let’s keep it real: your website doesn’t need to be complex. It needs to be clear.

What to do:

• Use headers (like H1, H2, H3) to break up content and help search engines understand structure
• Include the actual keywords your ideal customer is typing into Google (think “Omaha dog grooming” or “eco-friendly cleaning services”)
• Write page titles and meta descriptions that tell people (and search engines) what to expect
• Add internal links between your pages to keep visitors (and Google) exploring your site

Think of your website like your storefront window: it should quickly show people what you offer, who it’s for, and how they can take the next step.

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3. Write for Humans, Not Robots

Yes, SEO is about being seen by search engines—but you’re not selling to robots. Your audience is made of real people who have real problems and are looking for real solutions.

Google has gotten smarter. It now favors content that is helpful, original, and easy to read. That means you don’t have to stuff your pages with awkward keywords or create content that sounds like it was assembled by a committee of AI tools.

What to do:

• Answer the actual questions your customers ask (in person, over email, or DMs)
• Use blog posts to explain your process, break down common myths, or share tips
• Include keywords naturally in your titles, intros, headers, and image descriptions

If someone reads your content and walks away saying, “That helped,” you’re doing SEO right.

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4. Get (Real) Backlinks Without Being Sketchy

Backlinks are just other websites linking to your site—and they’re one of the most powerful ways to improve your SEO. But don’t worry: you don’t need to launch a shady outreach campaign or pay for sketchy directory links.

Focus on earning links by being useful, credible, and connected in your space.

What to do:

• Ask happy customers or vendors to link to you in a blog or testimonial
• Contribute a guest article to a local publication or industry blog
• Partner with fellow small businesses to share resources or write joint content
• Join local business directories that people actually use (think: Chamber of Commerce, niche collectives, city guides)

Backlinks aren’t magic. They’re just a sign to Google that other people trust you. Build relationships and the links will follow.

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5. Keep Showing Up (Because That’s What Google Loves)

The biggest mistake we see small businesses make? They treat their website like a one-time project. Launch it, leave it, forget it.

But SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Google wants to see that your business is active, relevant, and staying current.

That doesn’t mean you need to blog every day or update your homepage weekly. It just means: stay in the game.

What to do:

• Post new blog content 1–2 times a month
• Refresh outdated info on your website
• Add new testimonials, photos, or service updates regularly
• Keep your social media and Google Business Profile active

Even small signs of life send strong signals to search engines—and to your audience—that you’re here and worth paying attention to.

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You Don’t Need to Be an SEO Expert. You Just Need a Plan.

Improving your online presence doesn’t require a team of engineers or a degree in data science. It just takes a few intentional steps done consistently over time.

To recap:

• Get your Google presence in order
• Simplify and optimize your website
• Create content that’s actually helpful
• Build relationships that lead to backlinks
• Stay active so Google knows you’re in it for the long haul

And if you want someone to help translate all this SEO stuff into a plan that works for your business? That’s what we do.

At Crafted in Haus, we help small businesses grow smarter—no overwhelm, no gatekeeping, no nonsense. Just strategic moves that move the needle.

Let’s make your business easier to find (and harder to forget).

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