SEO For New Businesses: Is it Worth It?

As a new business owner, I bet you’re excited to get your marketing off the ground and start getting found by potential clients. But, should you invest in SEO services right away as a new business? 

My answer might surprise you. 😉

If You’re New, SEO Won’t Bring You Immediate Visibility

I run an agency that provides SEO services.  So I bet you’d expect me to push the benefits of search engine optimization (and promise you Page 1 results overnight!!).  But I never want to over-promise— and fast SEO results truly are not realistic for most new businesses.

For a new small business with a limited marketing budget, I don’t recommend spending that budget on an SEO company in year 1.

Why?  Because if you need visibility fast, SEO isn’t the right fit.  Results with SEO for a new business will take months to a year or more.

Here’s what you’re up against:

Google’s Not a Fan of Newbies

Google’s algorithm favors established businesses with a track record of trust and credibility. This is because Google wants to provide the best possible results for its users, and new businesses haven’t had the chance to prove themselves yet.

It’s an uphill battle to rank on Google for competitive keywords if you have a lot of more established competitors.  You’ll need to build up some trust, backlinks, and content (more on that below!).

Domain Age and History

Many SEO experts think that Google takes into account the age of your domain and its history. If your website is brand new, it’s like a blank slate – there’s no history to draw from.

On the other hand, an established website has a proven track record, and Google can see how it’s evolved over time.

Backlinks: You Need to Show Credibility

If you want Google to trust that you’re a credible business, you’ll need backlinks.  Backlinks are when other websites on the internet link to you.

Backlinks are like the ultimate vote of confidence. When another website links to yours, it’s like they’re saying, “Hey, this business is trustworthy and provides value.” 

If you want to rank on search engines, you’ll need backlinks from reputable websites that are relevant to your industry.  That’s how Google knows that other businesses trust you and starts to trust you too.

Online Mentions & Reviews

Online mentions and reviews are like digital word of mouth. When people talk about your business online, it’s like they’re spreading the word about your awesomeness. 

Google takes into account online mentions and reviews when determining your business’s credibility.

• 3 Easy Ways to Get More Google Reviews

Sooo… What Do You Do About SEO If Your Business is New?

I’m not telling you to completely ignore SEO if your business is new.  Today is a good day to set up your basics on your own, so Google starts the process of understanding and trusting your business.

Here are the basic steps for SEO for a new business:

Optimize Your Home Page

Your home page is what Google is going to scan first to start to understand who you are, what you do, and where you do it.

Make sure your home page is optimized for your most important keyword, including the keyword in a heading on the page, within the page text, and in the SEO title and description.

These are the places Google looks for your keyword, so this process will help the search engine understand your business from the beginning (a jump start for your future SEO rankings!)

Get started with 1 Hour SEO

If you’d like step-by-step videos to guide you in optimizing your Home page, I highly recommend my 1 Hour SEO mini-course.  It’s super affordable and the best money you could spend on your SEO as a new business.

Set Up Google Search Console

Google Search Console is the control center for your website’s SEO.  It’s a free tool that will let you submit your site to Google and eventually see your search engine performance.

Set up Google Search Console and submit your sitemap to help Google find all of your content and understand your website’s structure.

Here are a few resources about sitemaps:

• Submit a sitemap if your site (or Showit blog) is on WordPress using the Yoast plugin
• Submit a sitemap if your site is on Squarespace
• Submit a sitemap if your site is on Wix

Sign Up for Google Business Profile and Fill it Out Completely

If you are a local business that provides services in person, you’re eligible for Google Business Profile.  Sign up for a listing and get verified. 

This is like putting up a virtual “Open for Business” sign for Google.

I like to say that Google Business Profile is one of the few ways you can communicate directly with Google about your business— what you do, where you serve your clients or customers, and what products or services you offer.

Get a Few Backlinks

You need to be linked on the internet for Google to trust you.  Here are a few ideas to get more backlinks (and you can check out my whole article on backlinks here!)

• Free Listings: Sign up for free listings that are relevant to your industry
  • (I provide a list of recommended free wedding industry listings in my Wedding SEO Bootcamp course)
• Get PR: Consider doing a press release announcing your grand opening or something new and fun you’re offering to your community or audience
• Partner with Other Businesses: Do you know another newer business owner in your local area or industry?  Offer to feature them in a Q&A on your blog if they do the same for you.

Start Writing Educational Blog Content

The more good content there is on your website to scan, the more Google will understand your business and expertise.

Start writing about your location and information that would help your ideal clients or customers make a buying decision.  Show that you’re an expert in your field and provide helpful content they can’t find anywhere else.

• The 5 Best Wedding Photographer Blog Post Ideas
• 11 Wedding Planner Blog Post Ideas to Improve Your SEO
• If you are in the wedding industry, you can learn more about the blog post topics that work in my free Double Your Traffic Masterclass.

Circle Back to SEO Later

Once you’ve got the basics covered, consider investing in professional SEO services in Year 2 of your business. 

By then, you’ll have built some reviews online, received some backlinks, and have great work to show on your website.  Then, expert SEO work is much more likely to be successful for you.