5 simple SEO website tasks you can do as a small business owner

You started a business, built a website (or had your cousin help you), and now you’re just waiting for Google to shower you with customers. But then… nothing happens. You type your business name into Google, scroll a bit, and... ouch... you’re nowhere to be found. That’s where SEO comes in.

So let’s make sure your website is actually doing what it’s supposed to: Getting found.

What is SEO and why it matters when you’re starting a business

SEO means Search Engine Optimization—aka the art of helping Google understand what your website is all about, so it can show you to the right people.

When you’re starting a business, learning how to rank in Google is just smart. You’ve already put so much effort into building your brand, designing your website, and maybe even perfecting your empanada recipe, now make sure people can find you.

What it actually means to optimize your website

“To optimize” is just a fancy way of saying: let’s make this thing better so it works. In the SEO world, that means making sure your site has the right structure, words, and little behind-the-scenes tweaks so Google knows exactly what’s going on.

Good news? You can start with a few easy wins that don’t require hours of training or a total website makeover.

5 simple SEO tasks you can start doing today without crying

These are easy, non-scary things you can do even if you don’t know what HTML stands for. They’re beginner-friendly, totally free, and actually help.

1. Google yourself and see what shows up

This is your reality check. Open Google and type in:

• Your business name

• What you do + your location (e.g. “empanadas Cromwell” or “health coach Alexandra”)

• The kind of search you would do if you were a customer

  
  

Do you show up? Does your website appear on the first page? Are you even in the top 10?

You might be surprised. This quick search shows you if your current content is aligned with what people are actually searching. It's not about guessing—it’s about testing.

2. Research your top 10 keywords and write them down

Keywords are the terms people type into Google when they’re looking for something. They’re the bridge between what you offer and what people are searching.

There are some great free tools to help you find them:

• Ubersuggest

• Google Keyword Planner

• AnswerThePublic

• Google Trends

  
  

Look for keywords like:

• “Empanadas food truck Frankton”

• “Wellness coach Wanaka”

• “MTB coach Queenstown”

• “Where to eat in Cromwell”

• 
  

Start using these keywords naturally on your homepage, product descriptions, blog posts, and even in your image names.

3. Use your H1 to H5 headings the right way

This sounds techy but it’s really just making sure your content is organised in a way that Google understands.

Here’s the cheat sheet:

• H1 = The big boss. Your main headline. Only one per page.

• H2 = Subheadings for big chunks.

• H3 = Sub-subheadings for extra juicy detail.

• H4 & H5 = Bonus points if you’re fancy.

Example? If your homepage headline is “Authentic empanadas in Cromwell” and it’s your H1, that’s perfect. If it’s “Welcome to our website” and you’ve got six H1s… we need to talk.

4. Check and update your meta descriptions

Meta descriptions are the snippets of text that show up under your page title in Google results. They’re like mini-ads for each page of your site. Make sure no more than 100 characters. 

Bad meta: “Homepage for local business."

Better meta: “Authentic empanadas made in Cromwell. Find our food truck or book us for your next event.”

You can also use: “Certified health coach based in Alexandra helping women build long-lasting wellness routines. Book a free intro call.”

You can edit these in most website builders like Wix, Shopify, or Squarespace.

If you can’t find them, yell at Google (or message TIETA).

5. Get TIETA and focus on what you do best

Most business owners are stuck doing all the “small tasks” that were never part of the dream. SEO, website fixes, tech headaches… It adds up fast.

At some point, it makes sense to call in an expert. Someone who gets SEO and can make your site actually work for you, so you can focus on your business (not Googling what an H1 is at midnight).

You don’t need to be an SEO expert, just start with the basics

You don’t need to do everything at once, but even just ticking off these five simple SEO tasks can get your website on the right track. The earlier you start, the sooner people will start finding you online.

And if you're ready to go beyond the basics? That’s where we come in.

At TIETA, we build websites that don’t just sit there—they rank, convert, and reflect the heart of your business.

Be cool, rank higher, and be cool, get TIETA.