What should a small business have in place before starting SEO?
Before paying for SEO, a small business should own its domain and website, have a site that works well on a phone, know exactly which services and areas it wants to be found for, be able to capture and track every inquiry, and be ready to wait months for results. Without those, it is hard to tell whether SEO money is working.
The five things
- Ownership: the domain, website and accounts in the business's name.
- A working website: fast and clear on a phone, with one obvious next step and a form that delivers.
- A clear list: the services you want more of, and the areas or customers you serve.
- Lead tracking: every inquiry recorded with its source and outcome.
- Time: a plan measured in months, with an agreed way to judge progress along the way.
Why each one matters
Without ownership, the work can leave with the agency. Without a working site, new visitors leave without getting in touch. Without a clear list, effort goes into the wrong services. Without lead tracking, nobody can tell whether the money produced customers. Without time, good work gets cancelled before it pays off.
If some are missing
Fix ownership and the website first; both are often quick, unless a former provider holds them. Lead tracking can start the same week. The service list is a conversation, not a project. Then start SEO with a clear picture of what success will look like.
Related answers
- Is SEO worth it for a small business?
- How much does SEO cost for a small business?
- How do you choose a website platform for a small business?
SEO for service businesses
Get found on Google by the people already looking for what you sell, in the places you serve, and see which searches turned into inquiries.