Hey there, SEO enthusiasts! Are you looking to boost your website’s search engine rankings but don’t want to spend a fortune? Well, you’re in luck because there are plenty of ways to bootstrap SEO on a tight budget. SEO is an essential marketing tool that every business should be utilizing. Unfortunately, many small business owners and marketers skip it, citing budget limitations. But guess what? SEO is actually more cost-effective than other forms of marketing, like pay-per-click ads and social media marketing. So, let’s dive into five easy ways to bootstrap your SEO when you’re on a tight budget:

  1. Google My Business

Are you a small or brick-and-mortar business? You should focus on local exposure! To improve your local SEO, optimize your Google My Business page. Fill out all the necessary information, like your business hours and location. Don’t forget to use specific keywords to describe your business. For example, if you’re a personal injury law firm, go for “personal injury attorney” instead of just “lawyer.” This way, your business will appear in local searches!

  1. Target Long-Tail Keywords

There are two types of keywords: general competitive keywords and long-tail keywords. The latter is the more specific phrase that caters to your customers’ needs. For instance, if you’re a salsa dance instructor in Chicago, you should target “salsa dance instructor in Chicago” instead of the broad “dance instructor.” It’s less competitive, and people searching for that specific term are more likely to be interested in your services.

  1. Incorporate Keywords in Key Spots

Now that you’ve identified the best long-tail keywords, start incorporating them into your website. Focus on page titles, URLs, and content. But don’t overdo it! Using keywords in one of the page’s headers and within the first paragraph of the content is enough to get Google’s attention. You can also create new content around your long-tail keywords.

  1. Write Fresh Content

Publishing fresh content regularly is an excellent way to improve your website’s ranking. Every time new content is added, Google’s web crawler will visit your site and re-analyze it. But remember, the content should still be high-quality, unique, and relevant to your audience. If you’re not a strong writer, focus on writing “how to” or “list” articles.

  1. Get Some Links

Link building is one of the oldest and most important factors in SEO. Search engines view a link to your site from a third-party website as a sign of credibility. Reach out to other businesses and ask if they’re willing to link to your site. You can also guest post on other blogs, adding a link back to your site.

So there you have it! Five ways to bootstrap your SEO on a tight budget. Don’t let a limited budget stop you from improving your website’s ranking. With a little bit of effort, you can boost your SEO and drive traffic to your site!

Connect with the team at ITG to get your project started today!

About the Author

Tina getting a closer look with a magnifying glass

Tina Kempling, the Lean Green Team Leader at Imagine That with over 35 years of experience in the print industry, newspaper and magazine advertising.

As an industry-certified designer since 1991, Tina knows her stuff when it comes to marketing vision. But what sets her apart is her understanding of advertising and marketing in today’s digital and print market. She can help companies tap into the incredible marketing power in new and creative ways. Ready to take your marketing game to the next level? Give Tina a shout!