Here is a great article from Pete Schauer on how to use SEO for your small business.

Optimizing our organic search and refining our SEO craft is something we’re always practicing as digital marketers and small business owners. Especially when you consider how competitive—and expensive—paid search is getting.

You don’t want to pay Google for every click to your website, so you’re doing the right thing by trying to optimize your organic search and drive traffic that way.

Because we’re all at the mercy of Google and the other search engines out there, very rarely are there SEO tactics that are black and white, but when it comes to the basics of getting your small business off the ground and getting seen in the search results, it’s actually, dare I say, fairly easy.

So what are some of the most important strategies you should work on right away?

Start with the framework of the website itself first, and making sure that it’s mobile-friendly, meaning mobile optimized, or even better, responsive. A mobile responsive website scales to fit any device a user is accessing the site from, whether it be a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Mobile is all the more important now that Google launched its “mobilegeddon” algorithm update in Spring 2015, which essentially moves your website down in the organic rankings if your site didn’t provide a great mobile user experience for the searcher.

Also, focus on your content. As you may or may not already know, because of Google’s algorithms and updates, organic rankings are largely driven by the amount of quality content you’re putting out, whether it be via blogs, white papers, case studies, as seen as No. 4 in the infographic. Google wants to see that you’re educating the searcher with informative content, so the more content you can post to your site, the better. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the content needs to be quality.

Another main area to focus your efforts on is your local search, and more importantly, your Google My Business (also known as Google+) profile. Make sure that your address is correct and that you have it verified by Google—either via postcard or phone call—so that your business is eligible to be shown in map and local search results. Google, and other search engines, knowing exactly where your business is located can do wonders for your local search.

Check out the rest of the basic SEO tactics to drive your small business below.

1. Keyword Research: Know what your customers are searching for. Target local keywords specific to your business. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, and SEMrush to target keywords.
2. Standout with Onsite SEO: Create unique page titles, meta descriptions, URL’s and content. Creating additional pages can help target new keywords and and send signals to search engines.
3. Local SEO with Google+: Create a Google+ business profile www.google.com/+/business  Google loves Google.  Complete unique keyword rich descriptions for each business location.  SEO Benefit – your businesses will appear in search results for local keyword searches.
4. Blog: Write compelling content that your audience will read and share. Use images, video, tips and more. (Share it via Email Marketing & Social Media). Example: a post titled Mansfield Feed Service Review with a customer testimonial. Testimonials are a great way to show off your business and build trust. Post ideas – Answer questions an offer solutions, make check lists. Every new blog is an opportunity for SEO.
5. Diversify Your Marketing: Reviews, social media, PPC, email marketing, re-marketing, forums – can all drive traffic and leads. Test different channels to see what works.
6. Call to Action: Encourage your customers to take an action, tell them what you want them to do. Call the store – list a phone number, register for an event, give them the link or phone number. Tell them why they should register or call.
7. Use a Content Management System (CMS): A content management systems (CMS) is an efficient way to publish content and manage SEO. WordPress is great tool for websites and CMS, and it allows you to find tools like Yoast SEO as a plugin to help manage SEO.
8. Go Mobile: Responsive website designs fit mobile, tables and desktop devices, allowing you to reach your customers regardless of their devices. Google rewards responsive websites, bringing them more mobile customers. Use mobile email marketing templates, making it easier for your mobile customers.