If you’re looking to boost your website’s visibility, you’ve probably heard about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). But figuring out what works and what doesn’t can be a bit of a maze. At Boost My Business, we make SEO easy to understand and apply, so here’s a simple rundown of the dos and don’ts of SEO for anyone who wants to climb up those search engine rankings.

The dos of SEO

1. Do focus on quality content

Search engines love fresh, high-quality content that gives users what they’re searching for. Aim to write in a way that’s helpful, informative, and engaging. Blog posts, how-to guides, and product pages that actually answer questions or solve problems work great.

Example: Let’s say you run a plastering business. A blog post titled “How to plaster a ceiling” is likely to get more clicks than generic content.

2. Do use keywords wisely

Keywords tell search engines what your page is about, helping it match with what people are searching. Find out what words or phrases people use to look for services like yours. But don’t overdo it; use keywords naturally in headings, descriptions, and throughout your content.

Example: If you’re an SEO business in Sydney, using phrases like “SEO services in Sydney” will help local customers find you.

3. Do optimise for mobile devices

Many people search on their phones, and Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites. Check if your website works smoothly on mobile. The text should be readable, buttons easy to click, and loading time fast. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you might lose a lot of visitors.

Example: Open your site on a phone and see how easy it is to navigate. If users have to zoom in and out to read text, it’s time for a mobile makeover.

4. Do use internal links

Linking to other pages on your site helps users navigate and shows search engines the structure of your website.

Link to relevant pages or blog posts from within your content. This not only keeps users on your site longer but also helps boost the visibility of different pages.

Example: If you’re talking about SEO tips on your blog, link to a service page about your SEO packages. Do you see what we’ve done here?

5. Do keep track of SEO performance

Knowing what’s working helps you fine-tune your SEO strategy.

Use tools like Google Analytics or Google Search Console to see which pages get the most traffic, what keywords bring people in, and which pages need improvement.

Example: If a particular blog post is getting loads of traffic, create more content on similar topics to keep the momentum going.

The don’ts of SEO

1. Don’t stuff keywords everywhere

Stuffing keywords makes your content hard to read and can actually hurt your ranking. Use keywords naturally, and don’t try to force them into every sentence. If it feels unnatural to read, search engines will pick up on it.

Example: Instead of repeating “Sydney SEO services” over and over again,  say “Looking for professional SEO services in Sydney?” and other synonyms.

2. Don’t use clickbait titles

It might get clicks at first, but if people leave your page quickly, it’ll hurt your rankings. Keep titles catchy but honest. Make sure your content delivers on whatever your title promises.

Example: Instead of “How to get 1 million views in a day!”, say something like “Proven tips to boost your website traffic fast.”

3. Don’t forget about meta descriptions

Meta descriptions are the short snippets that show up in search results under your page title. They help people decide whether to click on your page. Write unique, to-the-point meta descriptions for each page. Try to include a keyword naturally and keep it around 155-160 characters.

Example: For an SEO service page, a meta description like “Affordable SEO services to help your business rank higher in Google search results. Contact us today for a free consultation!”* works well.

4. Don’t ignore your website’s speed

Slow-loading pages frustrate users, and Google ranks fast websites higher. Compress images, remove unnecessary plugins, and consider using a website caching tool. Run your website through Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check its speed.

Example: If your homepage is taking more than 3 seconds to load, it’s worth checking the image sizes and cutting back on heavy files.

5. Don’t overuse H1 tags

The H1 tag (main heading) tells Google what the page is primarily about, so it should be used once per page.

Use one H1 for the main title and other tags (H2, H3) for subheadings.

Example: Instead of multiple H1s saying “About our services,” “Our services,” “Learn more about our SEO services,” use one H1 and use H2 or H3 tags for the others.

More handy tips

6. Do create clear URLs

A clear URL helps users know what to expect from the page, and search engines like it too.

Keep URLs short and include keywords when possible, without stuffing. Instead of www.yoursite.com/p=2358, use www.yoursite.com/seo-services-sydney.

7. Do regularly update your content

Search engines favour fresh content, so keep your site up-to-date. Update old posts, refresh data, or add new information. Regular updates show Google that your content is still relevant. If you wrote a post about SEO trends in 2022, update it to reflect changes in 2024.

8. Don’t rely only on text

Visuals help break up text and keep readers engaged. Add images, videos, infographics, and charts where possible. Just make sure they’re relevant and don’t slow down your site.

Example: If you’re explaining keyword research, add a screenshot of a keyword tool to make it easier to follow.

9. Do look at what your competitors are doing

It can give you ideas on what works well and help you improve your strategy. Check out the keywords, content topics, and backlinks your competitors are using. Try to figure out where you can do better.

If a competitor is ranking for a certain blog topic, consider writing a more detailed, helpful version of that post.

10. Don’t forget to optimise for local searches

Local SEO helps your business show up in nearby searches, which is a big win if you’re targeting a specific area. Use local keywords, create a Google Business Profile, and encourage customers to leave reviews.

Use keywords like “SEO services in Sydney” if you’re trying to reach Brisbane-based clients.

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, so remember these tips as you keep building your site. The good news? Each step, even the small ones, can bring you closer to better rankings and more traffic over time.

And remember, our SEO experts are here whenever you need a hand!