SEO for Non-Techies: A Step-by-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably heard that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can bring you more customers without spending a fortune on ads. But if you don’t consider yourself “techy,” all the jargon — keywords, backlinks, meta tags — can feel like a foreign language.
1. Understand What SEO Really Is
At its core, SEO is about making your website easier for search engines (like Google) to understand, and more appealing for real people to visit and stay. Think of it as the online equivalent of placing your store in a busy street instead of a hidden alley.
Why it matters: The higher you rank in search results, the more free traffic you get — people actively looking for what you offer.
2. Know Your Audience First
Before diving into SEO tactics, you need clarity on:
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Who your ideal customers are
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What problems they’re trying to solve
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What words they might type into Google
Pro tip: Instead of guessing, use tools like Google Search Console, AnswerThePublic, or even the autocomplete suggestions in Google Search to find real search terms people use.
3. Do Simple Keyword Research
You don’t need fancy paid tools to start. Just:
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Type a topic into Google.
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Look at:
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Autocomplete suggestions
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The “People also ask” section
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The “Related searches” at the bottom
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Pick keywords that are:
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Specific (e.g., “affordable wedding photographer in Austin” vs. “photographer”)
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Low to medium competition
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Relevant to your products or services
4. Optimize Your Website Content
Once you know your keywords, sprinkle them naturally into:
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Page titles (H1)
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Subheadings (H2, H3)
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First paragraph of text
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Image alt text
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Meta descriptions (the snippet under your title in Google)
Important: Don’t overstuff keywords — write for humans first, search engines second.
5. Focus on Quality Content
Google rewards helpful, trustworthy, and well-organized content. That means:
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Answering real customer questions
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Writing blog posts, guides, or FAQs
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Including images, videos, or infographics for clarity
If your site helps people, they’ll stay longer — which boosts your SEO.
6. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of searches happen on mobile devices. If your site is slow or hard to read on a phone, visitors (and Google) will abandon it.
Quick check: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how you’re doing.
7. Improve Your Site Speed
Fast-loading pages rank higher and keep visitors happy.
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Compress images (use tools like TinyPNG)
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Limit unnecessary plugins
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Use a reliable hosting service
8. Build Local SEO
If you have a local business:
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Create or claim your Google Business Profile
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Add your correct address, phone, and hours
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Encourage happy customers to leave reviews
Local SEO helps you appear in “near me” searches.
9. Get Backlinks (The Right Way)
Backlinks are links from other sites to yours — they act like votes of confidence.
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Partner with local bloggers or influencers
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Submit guest articles to reputable sites
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List your business in relevant online directories
Avoid buying backlinks — Google can penalize you.
10. Track Your Results
You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
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Use Google Analytics to see where visitors come from
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Use Google Search Console to track your search rankings
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Check which keywords bring in traffic — and build more content around them
SEO isn’t magic — it’s a set of ongoing practices. Start small: choose a few keywords, improve your website’s content, and make sure your site is fast and mobile-friendly. Over time, the results compound, bringing you more visibility, more visitors, and more customers without paying for every single click.
Remember: you don’t need to be a “tech person” to master SEO — you just need patience, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning.
