An SEO Starter Guide for Ottawa Small Businesses

What is SEO?

SEO is Search Engine Optimization. Simply, when someone searches online by typing words into the search bar, a search engine like DuckDuckGo or Google will provide the most accurate and useful answer it can. The goal is that your business shows up when your content can serve that searcher’s intent.

Someone searching for “Ottawa Mobile Vet” or “Vet who comes to my house Ottawa” would likely see this website as a result. Why? Due to Search Engine Optimization, which we built into the website design.

Do these Three Things to Improve your Online Visibility Now

1. Fix your Homepage Headline: Your largest headline is a key indicator to search engines. It might not look pretty, but including your location, who you are, and what you do will immediately address the searcher’s intent. For example:

“Ottawa’s Only Brand Strategist with Soul – Refresh or Launch Your Business with Clarity so you can book more clients.”

“Grande Prairie Reiki (and then follow the next lines with what makes you different)

“Breath Coach in Orleans offering individual and group experiences so you can increase your peace of mind and feel relaxed.

Notice the simple headline – boring – but VERY useful. You can get fancy later – or once you’ve established yourself online as the go-to person for your searcher’s intent. Personally, I keep it simple and straightforward, which is why this site ranked #1 in search results for my town for 8 years. (I’ve since retired from birth photography).

2. Match Your Social Media Headline to Your Website Title

Your LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc., titles must match your website – this gives you credibility and consistency across the internet. Make ‘em match.

Your page titles are different than your “headline” from point 1 above. You will need to access the back end of your website to set page titles for your webpages.

This is a screenshot from the “Detailed SEO Extension” app, which I use when helping clients optimize their websites. Here you can see that my page title is clear (this is NOT my webpage headline).

Yes, sometimes character limits will mean you need to be creative – but do your best to be as consistent as possible across all channels.

3. Write Page Descriptions for Your Website Pages

When someone searches and gets a page of results, they will see this:

You have a say in what shows up in the description (most of the time, sometimes search engines will change it). Take the lead here and fill this in with what you want to be found for – make it clear for the SEARCHER so you are answering their intent.

Include: where you are, what you do, and what makes you appropriate for who. You have up to 155 characters – so choose wisely.

If you don’t fill this in on your website, search engines will make it up. Include keywords to reinforce what you do and where you are.

Many, many people don’t do this, and this will increase your visibility because you are giving search engines MORE to work with. Search engines WANT to succeed in helping the searcher – help them make that happen!

Get those three things done to start!

If you are a therapist, doula, or photographer who wants to be seen and booked by your dream clients, these three steps are a start. Go!! Go do it now!

If you would like to dive deeper and join the next workshop, here.

For even more, follow me on Instagram for daily tips, insights, and let’s get to know each other there! Please send me a dm on Instagram with any questions! I love this stuff!

Learn about workshops here