Learn the key on-page SEO techniques to help your small business website rank higher on Google and attract more local customers.
On-page SEO involves optimising the content and structure of each page on your website so search engines can understand and rank it. For small businesses, this means ensuring every page has a clear topic, a descriptive title tag, and relevant content that answers customer questions. Start by identifying the main keyword for each page — for example, a plumber might target 'emergency plumber in Manchester'. Use this keyword naturally in the page title, the first paragraph, and in at least one subheading. Avoid stuffing keywords unnaturally, as Google penalises this behaviour.
Meta titles and descriptions are HTML elements that tell Google what each page is about. Your meta title should be under 60 characters and include your main keyword. Your meta description should be under 160 characters and act as a short advert enticing users to click. Headings (H1, H2, H3) structure your content for both readers and search engines. Each page should have exactly one H1 tag containing your primary keyword, followed by H2 and H3 subheadings for supporting topics.
Internal links connect pages within your website, helping Google discover and index all your content. Link relevant pages together — for example, a plumber's homepage might link to their 'boiler repair' and 'emergency callouts' service pages. A clear site structure with logical navigation also improves user experience, which is a positive ranking signal for Google.
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