3 Quickest SEO Tips for Beginners

If you’re a business owner, you’ve probably heard of SEO (search engine optimization). But between running your company, managing staff, and keeping customers happy, SEO can feel like a complicated, technical world. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be.

In fact, by focusing on just three simple steps, you can dramatically improve how often your business shows up when people search for products or services like yours. And the best part? These steps are free, simple, and proven to work.

Let’s dive into the 3 quickest SEO tips every business owner should use.



1. Claim and Optimize Your Free Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly called Google My Business) is the single most important first step in SEO for local businesses. Why? Because it’s what powers the map listings you see when you search for things like “pizza near me,” “roof repair in [your city],” or “dentist nearby.”

When you don’t have a profile, Google has no way to feature you in those searches, even if your business is the best in town.

Why Your Address Matters

Google has openly said that in Tips to improve your local ranking that distance is one of the top ranking factors for local search results. That means if someone searches “plumber near me” and your profile has an address listed close to them, you’re much more likely to appear in their results. If you don’t list your address, you’re essentially telling Google you’re not open for business.

Why People Can't Find Your Business

You can set up your free profile here: Google Business Profile. Once you’ve claimed it, be sure to:

• Add your full business name and address.
• Include your phone number, website, and hours.
• Upload photos of your storefront, team, or products.
• Ask happy customers to leave reviews (these boost your visibility).

At Custer Marketing, we help local businesses not only set up their Google Business Profile but also optimize it so they rank higher.

Learn more on our SEO Services page.



2. Find Out What Customers Are Searching For

Once your business is visible in Google Maps, the next step is understanding what people actually type into Google when they’re looking for a business like yours. This is where keyword research comes in. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Two Easy Ways to Find Keywords

1. Use AnswerThePublic

This tool shows you real questions people are asking around your industry. For example, if you’re a roofer, you might see searches like “how much does roof repair cost?” or “what is the best time of year to replace a roof?”

   2.  Start Typing in Google 

Another easy trick is to type your service into Google and see what auto-complete suggests. For instance, a bakery might type “birthday cakes” and see suggestions like “birthday cakes near me,” “custom birthday cakes,” or “best birthday cakes in [city].”

These are actual searches customers are making and they tell you exactly what you should be creating content about.

3. Answer Those Questions on Your Website

This is where most business owners miss the mark. They might have a nice-looking website, but it doesn’t answer the questions customers are typing into Google.

The good news? You can fix this by creating simple, clear pages or blog posts that speak directly to those searches.



Real Examples

• If you’re a roofer, write a page titled “How Much Does Roof Repair Cost in [City]?” and break down the common price ranges.

• If you’re a bakery, create a blog post like “Top 5 Birthday Cake Designs Kids Love in [City].”

• If you’re a dentist, publish a FAQ page with answers to questions like “How often should I get a cleaning?” or “Do you accept insurance?”

By answering these questions in plain language, you’re not only building trust with customers, you’re also signaling to Google that your site is the best match for those searches.

Need help building out SEO-friendly content? Our team at Custer Marketing creates targeted landing pages that attract local customers and convert them into sales.



Why this works

Google’s entire mission is to give users the best answers as quickly as possible. When your business provides those answers, Google rewards you by putting your website higher in the search results.

And here’s the best part: most of your competitors aren’t doing this. Many small businesses still ignore SEO completely, which means if you follow these three steps, you’ll already be ahead of the majority of businesses in your area.



Bonus: Track What’s Workin

Once you’ve done the three steps above, the final piece is tracking your progress. Google offers a free tool called Search Console, which shows you:

• Which keywords people typed to find your site.
• How many times your pages showed up in search results.
• Which pages are getting the most clicks.

This data is amazing! It tells you what’s working and what you should focus on next.



Final Thoughts

SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need to know code, buy expensive software, or hire a giant agency to get started. By claiming your Google Business Profile, learning what your customers are searching for, and answering those questions on your website, you’ll set your business up to be found online.

You’ve worked hard to build your business, you deserve to be discovered by the people who are searching for what you offer.

Ready to take the next step?