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Quick answer: SEO (search engine optimisation) means making it easy for Google to find your pages, understand what they are about, and trust them enough to show them to people searching. Clear pages that answer real questions are the core of it.
The three things Google needs
| Step | What it means | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Find | Google discovers your pages by following links and reading sitemaps | A sitemap, links between your pages, and links from other websites |
| Understand | Google works out what each page is about | Clear page titles, headings and text that use the words customers use |
| Trust and rank | Google decides which pages best answer a search | Helpful, accurate content, a fast and secure site, and a good reputation |
What SEO is not
It isn't stuffing keywords into pages, hidden text or buying thousands of links. Google's own guidance says the best approach is creating helpful, reliable content for people first. Tricks that try to game the system can get a site demoted.
What a small business can do
- One page per service. Each with a clear title such as "Wound care in Kuils River".
- Use your customers' words. If people search "aluminium windows", don't only call it "fenestration solutions".
- Say where you work. Mention your area naturally in your text and contact details.
- Set up a Google Business Profile. It shows you in Maps and local results. See how to set one up.
- Collect reviews. Ask happy customers to review you on Google.
- Keep it fast and mobile-friendly.
Local SEO vs national SEO
A plumber in Bellville competes with other local plumbers, mostly in Google Maps. A business selling online across South Africa competes with every similar business nationally, which takes more content and time. Know which game you are playing.
Tip: Search for your own main service and area on your phone, as a customer would. Who appears, and what do their pages do that yours don't?
Web Development from Digitalx, priced in writing before we start.