SEO Fundamentals for Small Businesses

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can seem overwhelming, but the fundamentals are accessible to everyone. Here's what you need to know to get started.

Start with Keywords

Keywords are the foundation of SEO. Think about what terms your customers use when searching for your services. For a Salzburg-based business, this might include local terms like "web design Salzburg" or "website development Austria."

Don't just guess—use tools like Google's Keyword Planner to find what people are actually searching for. Focus on long-tail keywords (3-4 word phrases) that are more specific and less competitive.

Optimize Your Content

Once you know your keywords, use them naturally throughout your website:

In your page titles and headings

In the first paragraph of your content

In image alt text and file names

In your URL structure

But remember: write for humans first, search engines second. Your content should be valuable and readable, not stuffed with keywords.

Technical SEO Basics

Page Speed: Slow websites rank poorly. Optimize images, use caching, and choose quality hosting.
Mobile-Friendly: We covered this in our responsive design article—mobile optimization is crucial for SEO.
SSL Certificate: Secure websites (HTTPS) rank higher than non-secure ones (HTTP).
Clean URLs: Use descriptive, readable URLs like `/services/web-design` instead of `/page?id=123`.

Local SEO for Salzburg Businesses

If you serve a local area, local SEO is essential:

Claim your Google Business Profile

Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across all platforms

Get listed in local directories

Encourage customer reviews

Create content about local topics

Content is King

Regularly publishing quality content signals to search engines that your site is active and valuable. A blog is perfect for this—which is why we recommend it to all our clients.

Write about topics your audience cares about. Answer common questions. Share your expertise. The more valuable content you create, the more opportunities you have to rank for different search terms.

Be Patient

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It typically takes 3-6 months to see significant results. But the payoff is worth it: organic search traffic is free, targeted, and sustainable.

At Amadeus Web Design, we build SEO best practices into every website we create. From technical optimization to content strategy, we help our clients succeed in search from day one.