Are you looking for affordable website design and SEO service for your small business? If so, you are in the right place! In this article, we will discuss some of the best options available to businesses when it comes to SEO service.
We will also provide a few tips on how to choose the right service and which is the right service for your needs. So, whether you are just starting out and need help getting your website ranked in search engines, or you are looking for an ongoing SEO solution, we have something for you!
SEO Services for Small Businesses
For small businesses, competing with larger companies online can feel daunting. Big brands often dominate search results, making it challenging for smaller businesses to gain visibility.
However, effective SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can level the playing field, giving small businesses the tools to stand out, reach more potential customers, and grow their digital presence.
Definition of SEO
SEO is a long-term strategy designed to improve a website’s visibility and ranking on search engines like Google. It’s not a one-time solution but a continuous process that adapts to changing algorithms, trends, and user behaviors.
By leveraging the right SEO tactics, small businesses can build a sustainable online presence that attracts organic traffic, boosts credibility, and drives growth over time.
How Much Does SEO Services Cost?
The cost of SEO services differs from agency to small business SEO companies to freelancers, plus from project to project. The important thing is to understand what services you need for your website and how much you are willing to spend on them monthly or annually.
Some of the most popular small business SEO services include keyword research, link building and content marketing. A good starting point is to set your monthly SEO budget and look for an affordable SEO service provider.
- Startups and low competition: £300-£500/month for min. 3 months
- Established business average competition: £500-£1,000/month for 3-6 months
- Strong competition: £2,000+ for 6+ months
If you need any help with SEO, reach out to FIT DESIGN. Our website design for small business has onsite SEO services included in the price. Also, we provide a FREE consultation to help you with your website's SEO.
How Do You Choose Affordable SEO Services for Small Businesses?
Building a business is hard enough, so you want to make sure you are getting the most out of your marketing budget. Here are a few tips on how to choose affordable small business SEO services:
1. Review/Reputation:
Check this by reading online reviews or on various directories.
2. Services Offered:
Make sure the SEO provider offers the services you need, such as audit, on page & off page SEO optimization, link building, PPC, and content marketing.
3. Experience:
Check their case studies to see the results they have achieved for other clients.
4. Process:
Ask them about their process and what they will do to improve your website ranking via small business SEO service.
5. Reporting:
Ask for a monthly report to track the progress of your SEO campaign.
6. Support:
Make sure they offer customer support in case you have any questions or issues.
7. Budget:
Get quotes from several providers and compare their prices and services
7 Affordable SEO Services for Small Businesses
1. Hire an Affordable SEO Agency
- Front Page Advantage: independent award-winning SEO and PPC agency. Price: starts from £299/month Bronz package
- Fit Design: a full-service agency that provides SEO and web design in London. Price: starts from £299 one time or monthly
- The Search Initiative: UK based SEO agency with good reviews. Price: custom made
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2. Hire an Independent SEO Expert
- UK SEO GUY: Jamie has been offering affordable SEO services in the UK for over 5 years. Price: starts from £35 for a single service
- Matt Tutt: Matt has extensive knowledge and 15+ years of experience Price: custom made
- Gazz Hall: using SEO best practices, Gaz has been providing low cost SEO plans for over 20 years. Price: £500/month
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3. Download an SEO Software
- HikeSeo: your own SEO tool that helps you rank. Price: $59.99/month
- SEOptimer: easy SEO analysis with few simple clicks. Price: starts from $19/month
- SEranking: all in one software for analysis and marketing. Price: starts from £15/month
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4. Use SEO Tools for Relevant Web Pages
- SpyFu: audit your page and improve your SEO score. Price: $39/month
- SEObility: free for one project. Check your page search engine optimization SEO
- SEOmator: scale your business with limited but free tools
- Google Search Console
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5. Search Directories for Freelancers and SEO Agencies
- Upwork: affordable SEO packages
- People Per Hour: low cost SEO services [NOTE: only hire an expert with experience]
- Fiverr: cheap SEO service [NOTE: hire only a Fiverr pro or level 2 with good reviews & don't be tempted by low prices as it's impossible to get SEO results for $5!!!]
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6. Learn How to Use Search Engine Optimization
- Online Courses: Udemy, Hubspot, LinkedIn...
- Books: The Art of SEO, SEO 2021 by Adam Clarke
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7. Keep the Ball Rolling
Don't give up after a month or two. SEO optimization is a process and it will take time to see results. Be patient and consistent, it is the only way to rank a web page.
Easy 4 Pillars to an Effective SEO Strategy
There are four main pillars to a successful SEO strategy technical SEO, on-site SEO, content and Off-site SEO, that will help you improve your ranking, visibility and authority.
I. Technical SEO
Technical SEO focuses on optimizing a website’s backend structure and code to enhance visibility and user engagement. It’s the foundation of any successful SEO strategy, improving your site’s chances of ranking higher in search engines.
1. Crawlability
- Ensure your site is accessible to search engines like Google and Bing. Properly structured pages allow search engine bots to crawl and understand your content.
2. Indexing
- Confirm that your site is fully indexed, so it appears in search results. Use tools like Google Search Console to check for indexing issues.
3. Mobile-Friendliness
- Optimize for a seamless experience across devices. A responsive design boosts visibility, as search engines prioritize mobile-friendly sites.
4. Speed & Loading Time
- Page load time is a critical ranking factor. Aim for:
- Best: Below 0.8 seconds
- Good: 0.8–0.9 seconds
- Average: 0.9–1 second
- Poor: Over 1 second
5. Technology & CMS
- Select a reliable CMS (e.g., WordPress, Shopify) that allows easy management of SEO features and integrates with SEO tools.
6. Site Structure & Hierarchy
- Use proper headings and subheadings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to organize content. Stick to a single H1 per page to maintain a clear hierarchy and relevance, such as “Affordable Website Design for Small Business.”
7. Web Hosting & URL Structure
- Reliable web hosting can improve load speed and uptime. Also, choose a domain name that aligns with your brand and consider an SSL certificate to enhance security and SEO.
You can use various tools and programs to check your website load time. Also, vital to choose the right CMS [content management system] for your design.
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II. On-Site SEO
On-site SEO is the process of optimizing website content, structure, and design to make it easier for search engines to find and rank. It also includes optimizing website speed and mobile responsiveness.
1. Use of unique and keyword-rich titles
- e.g. "Website Design For Small Business in London" As you might notice, we are a web design agency and so we are using keywords targeting small businesses in need of a website design.
2. Optimizing website images
- Important for website speed and ranking, using proper image file names e.g. "website-design-small-business.jpg", adding ALT text same as the name without the hyphen, and compress files to reduce size.
3. Meta title and description
- Appearing in SERP [search engine results pages], should be unique and within the character limit. The optimal number is:
- 50-60 Characters for meta title tags
- 150-160 Characters for meta description
4. Creating fresh and relevant content
- Website visitors are looking for new and relevant information, adding a blog section is a great way to show that your website has authority and knowledge, plus it will help you rank for targeted keywords.
e.g. "web agency in London" is our target keyword. We write an article about The best eCommerce websites for restaurants, mentioning the above keyword 5-6 times in a way that it flows in the text. Avoid stuffing and density.
5. Call to action
- Make it clear to users what you want them to do on your website. Include a CTA [call-to-action] on every page, preferably above the fold.
III. Content
Basically, your site is just a wrapper for your content. Content is the main ingredient of SEO and will determine whether your website will rank or not. All the services or products you provide should be properly described in text, images or videos.
1. Landing Page
- Your landing page is the first impression for most users and should quickly convey what your site is about. Include a strong, clear call-to-action (CTA) tailored to your target audience.
2. Products/Services Pages
- Each product or service deserves its own optimized page with target keywords that resonate with your audience’s search intent.
3. About Page
- Showcase your business story, mission, and team to connect with visitors on a personal level. This page helps establish credibility and transparency.
4. Contact Page
- Make it easy for visitors to reach you with clear contact information and location details. A map, phone number, and email contact can all enhance this page's effectiveness.
5. Blog Section
- A blog allows you to consistently add fresh, relevant, and keyword-rich content. Blog posts are also an opportunity to share insights, tips, or industry news, helping to position you as an authority.
6. Testimonials
- Customer testimonials build trust and demonstrate social proof. Highlighting positive reviews and feedback reinforces your brand’s credibility and can improve conversion rates.
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IV. Off-Site SEO?
Off-site SEO is the process of optimizing your website's presence on other websites and online platforms. It will help you further increase your website's visibility, traffic, and engagement.
1. Social Media Profiles
- Establishing and maintaining social media accounts is essential for expanding your reach, driving traffic, and building brand awareness. Social media marketing can also improve online visibility and foster engagement with your audience.
2. Guest Blogging
- Writing guest posts for relevant websites allows you to reach new audiences and build authority in your industry. Collaborate with similar businesses and industry sites to exchange expertise and gain exposure.
3. Local Directories & Citations
- Listing your business on local directories (e.g., Yelp, Yellow Pages) boosts your chances of appearing in search results for location-specific keywords. It’s a vital tactic for local SEO, helping search engines recognize and rank your business in local searches.
4. Link-Building Strategies
- Building quality backlinks is one of the most impactful aspects of off-site SEO. High-authority backlinks signal to search engines that your website is credible. Reach out to relevant websites for link-building opportunities or offer to write guest posts that link back to your site.
5. Google My Business Listing
- Google My Business is a powerful tool for local SEO. By claiming and optimizing your listing, you increase your chances of appearing in Google Maps and local search results, making it easier for nearby customers to find you.
6. Review Sites
- Claiming and managing your business listing on review platforms (e.g., Google Reviews, Trustpilot) can boost visibility and enhance your reputation. Positive reviews and active engagement improve trust and increase your site’s appeal to search engines and potential customers.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a type of service that is focused on local search results by optimizing a website for specific geographical areas. It involves optimizing a website's presence on local directories, maps, and search engines. Local SEO is an important part of any small business marketing strategy.
- e.g. If you are a small business owner in London, you should focus on optimizing your Google map and website for local keywords such as "small business website design" or "website design for small businesses in London".
White Hat vs. Black Hat SEO
In SEO, there are ethical and unethical methods for optimizing a website, commonly known as White Hat SEO and Black Hat SEO. Understanding the differences between them is crucial, as your choice can impact your site’s long-term success and risk level.
White Hat SEO
White Hat SEO involves using ethical, approved strategies that align with Google’s guidelines to improve website ranking. Although these techniques may take longer to show results, they are sustainable and don’t carry the risk of penalties from search engines.
Key White Hat SEO techniques include:
- Original, Plagiarism-Free Content: Publish unique, high-quality content that provides value to your audience.
- Optimized Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Use relevant, engaging titles and descriptions to help search engines and users understand your content.
- Strategic Keyword Usage: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your content to improve search visibility.
- Quality Backlinks: Focus on earning backlinks from reputable, relevant websites to boost your authority.
Using White Hat SEO ensures long-lasting benefits, credibility, and the trust of search engines.
Black Hat SEO
Black Hat SEO refers to unethical techniques that violate Google’s guidelines in an attempt to achieve quick ranking gains. While these tactics may seem appealing due to their fast results and lower costs, they come with high risks and can lead to severe penalties, such as demotion in search rankings or complete removal from search results.
Common Black Hat SEO techniques include:
- Keyword Stuffing: Excessive use of keywords in an unnatural way, which makes content hard to read and flags it as spammy.
- Cloaking: Presenting different content to search engines than what users actually see.
- Buying Links: Acquiring links through paid arrangements with low-quality or irrelevant sites, which can damage credibility.
Relying on Black Hat SEO may yield short-term benefits, but it is risky and can severely harm your site’s long-term performance and reputation. Before considering these methods, understand the potential consequences and the likelihood of getting penalized.
Is SEO Necessary for a Small Business?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the need for SEO services will vary depending on the size and industry of your business. However, if you want to ensure that your business is visible online and able to attract customers, then investing in SEO is a good idea.
Benefits of Good SEO:
- Visibility: attracts more customers to your website
- Engagement: by improving customer engagement you can reduce the bounce rate
- Branding: builds trust and credibility with your customers
- Sales: increases sales and ROI
- Revenue: generates more revenue for your business over time
- Advertisement: once you have organic website traffic you don't have to pay for Ads
Popular Search Engines
There are a number of popular search engines that business owners can use to improve their website's visibility and organic search ranking.
- Yahoo
- Bing
- DuckDuckGo
- Ask.com
- Brave
FAQs - SEO Service Consultation
=> WHAT TYPE OF SEO SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Be sure to ask SEO companies about all the different types of SEO services they offer.
=> WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN MY INDUSTRY?
It is important to hire a digital marketing agency or an affordable SEO company that has experience with businesses in your industry. This way you can be sure that they are aware of the latest trends and changes.
=> WHAT TECHNIQUES WILL YOU USE TO IMPROVE MY WEBSITE TO RANK HIGHER?
There are a variety of techniques that can be used to improve your website's ranking e.g. link building, keyword research, on page SEO optimization, off page optimization, PPC, etc.
=> WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
Agencies in 95% will charge you monthly fees asking you to commit for 3 months or more. But freelancers might charge you a flat fee for the services they will provide, e.g. 150 business citations in directories, etc.
=> WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TIME FRAME FOR RESULTS?
SEO can take some time to show results in general it's min. 3-6 months, so be patient and ask for reports and analysis weekly/monthly.
=> HOW WILL YOU REPORT ON PROGRESS?
This is important to know so that you can track the progress of your SEO campaign. Ask for a detailed report that includes ranking improvements, traffic increases, and conversion rates.
Conclusion
Businesses who want to ensure their website is visible online and able to attract customers should invest in an SEO services company. The benefits of good SEO include increased visibility, engagement, branding, sales, and revenue. When considering hiring an SEO service, be sure to ask about their experience in your industry, the techniques they will use, and the costs.
Also, ask about the expected time frame for results and how progress will be reported. Find affordable SEO services might take time, but the result is worth every penny. If you are not sure about what SEO services to choose for your small business, then you can always reach out to our creative web design and SEO agency in London.
We are SEO experts in digital marketing strategy, website design for small business and eCommerce services. Fit Design and the web developer team will help you with SEO success and social media strategy.
