- SEO is doable by business owners with some learning and effort. Start with basics like keyword research, content creation, and site optimisation.
- Focus on user experience, consistent content, and understandable site structure to improve rankings.
- Hiring a professional agency can accelerate results, avoid mistakes, and handle technical complexities.
What is SEO and can you really do it yourself?
SEO stands for search engine optimisation. It means making your website easier for Google and other search engines to find and rank highly when people search for what you offer. Many business owners assume SEO is some dark art reserved for tech wizards or marketing agencies. The good news? You can absolutely do SEO yourself, especially for the basics, without needing to learn all the jargon or complicated tech stuff.
Doing SEO yourself means rolling up your sleeves to make your website user friendly and content rich so search engines like Google understand your business. It’s a practical skill, and many small businesses start here. Yet, while basic SEO is accessible, expect a learning curve and know some areas can get tricky. That’s where hiring a professional agency helps, especially for technical SEO and ongoing optimisation.
Let’s break down how you can tackle SEO yourself and where to focus first.
1. Understand Your Audience and Keyword Research
Before writing a single word, think about what your customers are actually searching for online. What problems do they have? What words would they type to find your products or services?
- Use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Answer the Public for ideas.
- Focus on keywords that have decent search volume but aren’t overly competitive.
- Think long-tail keywords, longer and more specific phrases, because they can drive more targeted visitors.
For example, instead of just “shoes,” you might target “comfortable running shoes for beginners.”
Why is this important? According to recent SEO trends, 50% of search queries are four words or longer, showing the rise in importance of long-tail keywords.
Risk: Chasing very popular but generic keywords might waste effort if your site can’t compete with big brands — start small and build authority.
2. Create Helpful, High-Quality Content
Content is the heart of SEO. Google wants to show its users the best, most relevant information. This means your website should have clear, useful, and well-structured content.
- Write for your customers, not for search engines.
- Make sure content answers their questions clearly.
- Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to organise content.
- Include your target keywords naturally, avoid keyword stuffing!
For instance, a blog post explaining “How to choose the right running shoes” with tips and comparisons provides value beyond just selling.
Fact: Websites with blogs get 55% more visitors than those without.
Trade-off: Good content takes time to create. Don’t rush it; quality wins over quantity.
3. Optimise Your Website for User Experience and Search Engines
SEO isn’t only about words on a page; your website needs to be easy to use and fast to load.
- Make sure your site loads quickly (aim under 3 seconds!).
- Use mobile-friendly design (over 60% of searches are on mobile).
- Create a clear navigation menu that helps visitors find information fast.
- Use descriptive and keyword-friendly URLs (for example, yoursite.com/running-shoes).
- Add meta titles and descriptions to each page, these are what show up in search results.
Warning: Slow or confusing sites drive visitors away and hurt SEO rankings.
4. Build Links Wisely
Links from other websites to yours, called backlinks, show Google that your site is trustworthy.
- Start by reaching out to relevant partners, local business directories, or industry websites.
- Create shareable content that people naturally want to link to.
- Avoid shady link-building tactics like buying links, Google penalises this.
Fact: Backlinks remain one of the top three ranking factors for Google.
Risk: Poor-quality or spammy links can harm your ranking, be selective and ethical.
5. Monitor, Analyse, and Adapt
SEO isn’t a “set and forget” task. You need to track how your site performs and adjust.
- Use free tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
- Keep an eye on which keywords bring visitors.
- Spot pages with high bounce rates or poor performance and improve them.
- SEO results usually take several months, so patience is key.
When to consider hiring an SEO agency
DIY SEO is a great place to start and gives control over your digital marketing. However, it can become time-consuming and complicated, especially as your site and competition grow.
An experienced SEO agency brings:
- Expert knowledge of technical SEO (site architecture, schema, speed optimisation).
- Advanced tools and resources.
- Proven strategies tailored to your industry.
- Continuous monitoring and timely adjustments.
- Saves you time to focus on your business.
If you find SEO is eating into your day or your efforts aren’t moving the needle, professional help can pay dividends.
Final thoughts
Yes, you can do SEO yourself if you start with the basics and stay consistent. Understand your audience, create great content, make your website user friendly, build quality links, and keep learning from data. Be patient and avoid shortcut temptations.
But don’t hesitate to consult experts if you want faster results or run into technical trickiness. SEO is a journey, and with the right foundation, you’re well equipped to take the first important steps.
Now, go on, get your SEO boots on and start paving the way for your business online success!
If you’re curious about professional help or want to chat about your digital marketing strategy, we’re here to assist — no pushy sales talk, just straightforward advice and support.
Happy optimising!