How to Optimise Your Website for SEO (Without a Tech Degree!)
Let’s be honest—SEO can sound a bit scary. Algorithms, meta tags, indexing, crawling… it’s enough to make any small business owner feel like they need a computer science degree just to get noticed online.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a tech wizard to get SEO working in your favour.
In fact, with the right guidance (and a cup of tea in hand), you can make a huge difference to your website’s visibility without touching a single line of code.
This guide is for you if you’re a UK small business owner who’s ready to get more traffic, more leads, and more sales—without getting lost in a sea of jargon.
We’ll walk through the essentials of SEO step by step, in plain English. No waffle. No intimidating tech speak. Just simple actions that make a real difference.
What Is SEO, Really?
Let’s start at the very beginning. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s the process of improving your website so that search engines like Google are more likely to show it when someone searches for something you offer.
In practical terms, that means if someone types in “best dog groomer in Leeds” and you happen to be a brilliant dog groomer in Leeds, SEO helps Google realise your website is a good match for that search.
The better your SEO, the more likely your website will show up at the top of the results—not buried on page 5 where no one looks.
Why SEO Matters for Small Businesses
People rarely browse the Yellow Pages anymore (do those even exist?). Instead, they Google what they need. And if your website isn’t showing up, you’re invisible.
Think about it:
75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results.
Over 90% of online experiences start with a search engine.
People trust organic results (unpaid) more than ads.
In short, good SEO = more eyeballs = more business.
The Foundations: What Makes a Website “Optimised”?
SEO has three main building blocks:
Technical SEO – the behind-the-scenes setup that helps Google understand your website (we’ll keep this as non-techy as possible!).
On-page SEO – the content on your website and how you present it.
Off-page SEO – what other people and websites say about you, like reviews and backlinks.
You don’t need to master all of them at once—but having a grasp of the basics gives you a huge head start.
Step-by-Step: How to Optimise Your Website for SEO
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do—without any complicated tools or technical know-how.
1. Start with Keyword Research (Don’t Panic, It’s Just Word Guessing)
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for something. Your job is to figure out what your potential customers are searching for—and make sure those words appear on your site.
How to do it:
Think like your customer. If you were looking for your service, what would you type?
Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to get ideas.
Aim for long-tail keywords (specific phrases like “emergency plumber in Brighton”) rather than broad ones (“plumber”).
Add your keywords:
In your page titles
In your headings
In your main content
In image file names and alt text
Don’t stuff them everywhere—write naturally, like you’re talking to a human.
2. Write for Humans First, Google Second
Google is clever, but your customers are the ones who’ll actually read your site. So write clearly, conversationally, and helpfully.
What makes good SEO-friendly content?
It answers real questions your audience has
It uses headings and bullet points to break up text
It includes your main keywords—but not too often
It’s easy to skim, but offers depth
👉 Bonus tip: Make sure each page has at least 300 words of useful content. Google loves depth.
3. Nail Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Every page on your website has a title tag and a meta description. These are what appear in Google’s search results.
Even though you can’t always see them on your site, they’re incredibly important.
What to do:
Make your page title clear and include your keyword (e.g. “Pet Grooming in Manchester | Fluffy & Fresh”)
Keep your meta description under 160 characters and use it to tell people what your page is about and why they should click.
This can usually be edited inside your website builder or with a plugin like Yoast SEO (for WordPress).
4. Optimise Your Images
Big images can slow your site down—which Google doesn’t like. Make sure your images:
Are resized for web (no 5MB files, please)
Have descriptive file names (e.g. “wedding-cake-bakery-bristol.jpg”)
Include alt text (a short description that helps both Google and visually impaired users)
5. Make Sure Your Site Works on Mobile
Most people now browse the web on their phones. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing traffic—and probably getting penalised by Google too.
How to check:
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
View your site on your own phone—does it load quickly? Can you read everything without pinching and zooming?
If you’re using a modern website builder like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress, your theme should already be mobile-responsive.
6. Improve Your Site Speed
Slow websites don’t just frustrate visitors—they annoy Google too. Ideally, your website should load in under 3 seconds.
Ways to speed things up:
Compress your images
Use fewer fancy animations or autoplay videos
Choose fast, reliable hosting
Remove any unnecessary plugins
You can test your site’s speed using PageSpeed Insights.
7. Get Your Site Indexed on Google
Even if your website is perfect, it won’t show up on Google until it’s been indexed. That just means Google’s bots have crawled your site and added it to the search engine.
How to do this:
Set up a free Google Search Console
Submit your sitemap (don’t worry—most website builders generate this for you automatically)
Use the “URL Inspection” tool to request indexing of key pages
8. Add Internal and External Links
Links help Google understand the structure and value of your website.
Internal links point to other pages on your own site (e.g. from your blog post to your Contact page)
External links point to other reputable websites (e.g. linking to a government guideline)
This builds trust and makes it easier for Google to navigate your site.
9. Start a Blog (Yes, Really)
Blogs are brilliant for SEO. They give you more content to be found for, show off your expertise, and keep your site fresh.
Each blog post is a new opportunity to rank on Google. Plus, you can answer common questions your customers ask.
A few topic ideas:
“How to Choose the Right Electrician in Birmingham”
“5 Things to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer”
“The Best Ways to Store Fresh Flowers (From a Florist!)”
10. Get Listed on Local Directories
If you serve a specific area, local SEO is key. Make sure you’re listed on:
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
Bing Places
Trustpilot or Feefo (for reviews)
Use the exact same business name, address, and phone number on every listing. This consistency builds trust with Google.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to hire an SEO company?
Not necessarily. Many small businesses start with DIY SEO and see great results. That said, if your time is limited or you’re in a competitive industry, working with an SEO expert can save a lot of trial and error.
How long does SEO take to work?
SEO is more like gardening than fast food. It takes time—usually a few weeks to several months—to see results. But the benefits grow over time and compound.
Can I just pay Google to be at the top?
You can run Google Ads, but that’s different from organic SEO. Ads disappear when your budget runs out. Good SEO keeps working for you long-term without ongoing ad spend.
What’s the difference between on-page and off-page SEO?
On-page is everything you control on your website: content, structure, keywords. Off-page is what happens elsewhere—like backlinks from other sites, online reviews, and social media signals.
What is a backlink and why do I need them?
A backlink is a link from another website to yours. Google sees them as a vote of confidence. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more trustworthy your site looks.
Is SEO a one-time thing?
No—SEO is ongoing. The internet changes constantly. Competitors update their sites. Google tweaks its algorithm. Regular updates help you stay visible and ahead.
You Don’t Need to Be a Techie to Master SEO
If there’s one takeaway from all this, let it be this: SEO is not rocket science.
It’s about creating useful content, making your site easy to navigate, and helping Google understand what you do.
You’ve already taken the most important step—caring about your online presence. With a few small tweaks and a dash of consistency, you can start climbing those rankings without breaking a sweat (or calling your cousin’s IT mate).
And if it still feels overwhelming? That’s okay too. There are plenty of trusted SEO services in the UK that can take the heavy lifting off your plate—so you can focus on what you do best: running your business.
Ready to Get Found Online?
If you’re considering hiring an SEO professional then send us a message or give us a call 07816 528421
Remember: the web is crowded, but there’s room at the top for businesses that make the effort.
Now go forth and optimise—no tech degree required.
