If you’re trying to grow your website traffic, understanding a few core SEO elements can go a long way. You don’t need to be a technical expert—just get familiar with the basics. In this post, we’ll walk through four essential SEO terms every small business should know: keywords, meta tags, alt text, and indexing vs. crawling.
1. Keywords
What they are:
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines when they’re looking for something—like “custom wedding cupcakes” or “Chicago web designer.”
Why they matter:
Search engines scan your page for relevant keywords to figure out what it’s about. Use the right ones, and you’re more likely to show up in search results.
Quick Tip:
Use specific, relevant keywords naturally in your page titles, content, and headers.
Example: Instead of “Services,” use “Web Design Services for Small Businesses.”
2. Meta Tags
What they are:
Meta tags are pieces of code that help search engines understand your content. They also influence how your page appears in search results.
Main types to know:
- Title Tag: This is the clickable headline in Google search results.
- Meta Description: The short summary that appears underneath.
Why they matter:
They shape the first impression of your site and impact your click-through rates.
Quick Tip:
Write compelling, keyword-rich titles and descriptions for each page.
Use your CMS (like WordPress or Squarespace) to easily update them without touching code.
3. Alt Text
What it is:
Alt text is a short description of an image on your website.
Why it matters:
- It helps visually impaired users who rely on screen readers.
- It improves your image SEO—Google can’t “see” your images unless you describe them.
Quick Tip:
Describe what the image shows and include a keyword when it makes sense.
Example: “Chicago bakery storefront with custom cupcakes.”
4. Indexing vs. Crawling
Crawling:
When Google’s bots scan your site to see what content exists.
Indexing:
When your content is added to Google’s database, making it eligible to show up in search results.
Why it matters:
If your site isn’t indexed, it won’t appear in search results—no matter how great your content is.
Quick Tip:
Use Google Search Console to check which pages are indexed and troubleshoot the ones that aren’t.
Final Thoughts
Getting started with SEO doesn’t mean mastering every detail—it means understanding the basics and taking action. Start by reviewing your pages for clear keywords, strong meta tags, descriptive alt text, and making sure your site is indexed.
If that still sounds overwhelming, we’ve got your back. The Next Step SEO Essentials Plan was built for small teams like yours—simple, actionable SEO guidance with no ongoing retainers. Learn more here →
