Website SEO Basics Every Business Owner Should Know

SEO isn't magic - it's a systematic approach to making your website more visible on Google. You don't need to be an expert, but understanding the basics helps you make smarter decisions about your online presence.

What is SEO?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of improving your website so it ranks higher in Google search results. When someone searches "best coffee shop in Bugis," SEO determines which businesses appear first.

Higher rankings = more visibility = more customers. It's that simple.

SEO has three main components:

• On-Page SEO - Optimizing your website content and structure
• Off-Page SEO - Building authority through links from other websites
• Technical SEO - Making sure search engines can crawl and index your site

On-Page SEO Essentials

These are the elements you can control on your own website:

• Title Tags - The clickable headline in search results. Include your main keyword and keep it under 60 characters.
• Meta Descriptions - The summary under your title in search results. Write compelling copy that makes people click. 150-160 characters.
• Headers (H1, H2, H3) - Use one H1 per page for your main title, H2s for sections, H3s for subsections.
• Content Quality - Write helpful, detailed content that answers what people are searching for.
• Internal Links - Link between your own pages to help Google understand your site structure.
• Image Alt Text - Describe your images so Google knows what they show.

Local SEO for Singapore Businesses

If you serve customers in a specific area, local SEO is crucial:

• Google Business Profile - Claim and optimize your free listing. Add photos, hours, and respond to reviews.
• NAP Consistency - Your Name, Address, Phone number should be identical everywhere online.
• Local Keywords - Include "Singapore," your neighborhood, and nearby landmarks in your content.
• Customer Reviews - More positive reviews = higher local rankings. Ask happy customers to leave Google reviews.

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with these basics, consistently create helpful content, and be patient. It typically takes 3-6 months to see significant results, but the long-term benefits are worth the wait.