How to Boost Your SEO (Even If You Have No Idea Where to Start)

If you’ve ever wondered why some websites show up at the top of Google while others barely make it to page two, here’s the truth: it’s not luck or magic. It’s strategy, consistency, and connection.

Getting your website found online starts with good setup, but long-term visibility depends on what you do next. Think of SEO (search engine optimization) as a popularity contest — the more people who visit your site and talk about it online, the more Google recognizes it as something worth sharing with others.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is what helps your website show up on Google when people search for things you offer. It’s how a potential customer finds you instead of your competitor. And while there’s a lot that goes into it, the good news is this: you can start improving your SEO today with simple, consistent actions.

The Foundation: What Whale Made Sites Does for You

When Whale Made Sites designs your website, we take care of all the behind-the-scenes SEO essentials that help Google recognize your site as legitimate and ready to display in search results. Here’s what that includes:

Page Titles and Descriptions 

These are the snippets you see on Google when someone searches for your business. We write clear, keyword-rich titles and descriptions for every page so both Google and your visitors understand what your site is about.

Copywriting with Keywords

We create all the written content (the “copy”) on your site with strategic keywords woven in naturally. These keywords are the words and phrases people actually type into Google when they’re searching for your services. For example, if you’re a local bakery, people might search “wedding cakes in Nashville” or “custom cupcakes near me.” Using those kinds of words throughout your site helps Google match you to real searches. If you ever change or add new text later, just remember to keep a few of those search-friendly words in your new copy. It helps people continue to find you online.

Alt Text for Images

Every photo on your site gets a short description that tells Google what the image represents. This not only helps your site appear in image searches, but it also makes your site more accessible for all users.

Copyright and Site Settings

We make sure your business details and site ownership are properly displayed so Google’s crawlers can safely index your pages.

Google Indexing and Analytics Setup

Every site we build is connected to Google so it can be found faster, and you can track who’s visiting your site, how they got there, and what pages they love most.

Once these pieces are in place, Google can see and understand your website. But here’s the thing, SEO isn’t a one-time setup. It’s an ongoing process. And that’s where you come in.

Why SEO Is Like a Popularity Contest

Think of Google as a big recommendation engine. When someone searches for something, Google looks for the most “popular” and trustworthy sites to show first. How does it decide what’s popular? By paying attention to how many people visit your site, how often your site gets updated, and how many other sites are linking back to yours.

So if you want Google to notice you, your job is to keep showing up and sharing your website everywhere you can.

1. Blog Regularly

Blogging is one of the most powerful (and free) ways to boost your SEO. Each post you publish gives Google more content to crawl and helps you rank for new keywords. Aim for at least one post a month, and write about topics that your audience actually cares about — things like common questions, success stories, or simple tips in your niche.

The more helpful your content is, the more people will stay on your page and share it, which tells Google your site is valuable.

2. Share Your Website on Social Media

Every time you share your website or blog on social media and people click through, Google takes notice. It’s like a virtual thumbs-up that says, “Hey, people like this site!” You don’t need to go viral, just be consistent about sharing updates, linking to your pages, and inviting people to learn more on your website.

3. Get Mentioned by Others

Collaborating with others can give your SEO a serious boost. Try getting featured on a podcast, writing a guest blog post, or asking a local business to mention your website on theirs. When another site links back to yours, Google sees that as a sign of credibility. These are called backlinks — and they’re one of the strongest SEO signals you can get.

4. Keep Your Website Updated

Google prefers active websites. When you update your site often — whether it’s adding new photos, changing out text, posting new testimonials, or launching new products — it signals that your business is alive and thriving. Set a reminder every month to make at least one small update. It makes a difference.

5. Use Keywords Naturally

Keywords are simply the words people type into Google. Use the same phrases your customers would use to find your business. If you’re a local florist, include phrases like “Paris TN flower delivery” or “wedding bouquets in West Tennessee.” But keep it natural — write for humans, not robots.

6. Make Sure Your Site Loads Fast and Works on Mobile

Google rewards websites that are easy to use. A slow or cluttered site can hurt your ranking. At Whale Made Sites, every site we build is designed to load quickly, look great on phones and tablets, and make navigation simple — all things Google (and your customers) love.

7. Track Your Progress

Once your site is live, check your analytics every month. Look for trends like which pages are getting the most traffic, what people are searching for, and how long they stay on your site. These small details can help you decide what kind of content to create next.

8. Consider Paid Ways to Boost SEO

If you want faster results, paid strategies can help you get in front of more people while your organic SEO grows. Options include Google Ads, which place your business at the top of search results for specific keywords, and social media ads, which drive traffic directly to your site. Paid campaigns don’t replace organic SEO, they work best alongside it. Think of them as a visibility booster while your long-term strategies take root. Even a small ad budget can make a noticeable difference if you target the right audience and link to a strong, well-optimized page.

The Bottom Line

SEO is about showing up consistently and proving that your website deserves attention. Whale Made Sites sets the foundation with all the technical SEO pieces in place, but the biggest growth happens when you keep your site active and connected to the world around you.

The more you post, share, and collaborate, the more visibility you’ll gain — and the more customers you’ll attract.

Ready to take your website to the next level?
Whale Made Sites specializes in building custom Squarespace websites that are beautiful, strategic, and fully optimized for SEO from day one. If you want a website that doesn’t just look good but actually gets found online, let’s build something together.