Being on page #1 in Google is exciting. That special moment when you realize that all your SEO work has paid off and you finally make it to first place.
But is there ever a time when being #1 in Google isn’t a big deal?
I can think of a circumstance when being #1 isn’t really a big deal.
When no one is competing for your keywords!
It happens. You may have a very specific niche in a small geographic area and in order for you to rank on the first page of Google for various search terms, it isn’t very hard. Some search terms get so little search volume and have no competition that any mediocre SEO company is going to be able to get you onto page one pretty easily.
If your website falls into this category, maybe it’s time you did some keyword research. There are terms that you can rank #1 in Google for, and because there just isn’t any demand for those search terms, that being #1 isn’t going to help you much. If your search terms are legitimately so narrow that no one is competing for them, that’s one thing; But if your just trying to compete for the WRONG search terms for your business, that’s a totally different problem.
Doing keyword research means that not only do you find keywords that you want to rank for, but you find keywords that you want to rank for that actually have search volume. There’s no challenge in ranking for terms that get next to no search traffic, on the other hand it cane be pretty difficult to rank for terms that get a lot of search volume and this is when having an SEO company working for you can really pay off.
Afterall, investing your SEO efforts on ranking for keywords that no one is searching for is a complete waste of time and money.
This is somewhat of a rant and I apologize now if I offend you. 🙂
SEO has changed A LOT in the past 10 years and for the most part, it’s changed for the better. Google’s main focus is on quality, not on old spammy SEO tricks that once worked.
There are still a lot of people out there that either don’t keep up on SEO trends or don’t care that their old methods have become obsolete. They’re pounding away at old, out-dated SEO methods that Google sees strictly as web spam. The funny thing is that their frustration with the old methods doesn’t cause them to stop, but seems to cause them to keep doing it (whatever “IT” is) with greater frequency and volume!
I have just two words for you: STOP IT!
Stop buying/selling 5000 .edu backlinks for $20 and expecting big results.
Stop buying low quality articles by the dozens and spamming article directories.
Stop trying to hide keywords on a page with white text, or sentences that make no sense.
Stop selling footer links to random websites for a few bucks.
Stop your subscription to your private blog networks. Most have been de-indexed anyway.
Stop submitting your website to 1000 low quality directories.
Stop scraping content from other websites.
Stop building low quality websites/niche websites.
One of the websites that I co-own and manage is enjoying some wonderful long tail keyword success! I love logging into Google Analytics each day and looking at how people found the website.
On a side-note, it’s always fun to look at what people actually type into Google to find a website. Some people really don’t get search engines…
The website in question has a lot of content on it and I suspect that’s why it’s getting the long-tail keyword searches. With enough content on almost any website, it’s almost inevitable that you end up with traffic from long-tail keyword searches. In fact, it makes one take a good look at all the content on a website and ensure that there’s enough of it to tempt the search engines to rank the website well for these searches.
Of course there’s that list of coveted keywords that every website wants to rank for, but maybe we (myself included) spend far too much time optimizing for those few valuable keywords, all the while, missing out on the vast amount of traffic that’s available for the taking from those odd long-tail searches.
The best thing about the long-tail success that I am having, is that it’s accidental so it means the website doesn’t look spammy. I didn’t try much at all; It just happened.
What’s the key to long-tail keyword success?
1 word: CONTENT
It’s as simple as that. No blackhat SEO tricks, no keyword stuffing, no spammy content. Just real, quality, fresh content and lots of it.
Why is it that we’re willing to pay for quality products or services in some aspects of our life, but not all?
Sometimes it comes down to budget and we just don’t have the money for what we want, so we look for the least expensive option, but in other areas we don’t mind paying for better quality because we realize that we’re getting a vastly different product or service.
Here’s what I mean:
When you want your car fixed, you have the option to take your brand new Mercedes-Benz to the dealer at a cost of over $100/hr, or you can opt for the less expensive local mechanic that may charge $65 or $75 per hour. Chances are good that even though the first option is more money, you will choose it because you know that the Mercedes dealer will do the job correctly. They know your car and they have the genuine parts that it will need.
Another example of cheaper vs. better is when you set out to buy a new pair of shoes. You can go to Wal-Mart and buy just about any style of shoes you might ever want at less than $50. So why is it that you don’t mind paying $150 for a pair of Clarke’s or Rockports? It’s because there’s a difference in quality which you don’t mind paying for.
Now let’s bring this concept into the world of SEO, websites and online marketing. There are all kinds of people offering a website for prices from $100 to $10,000. There are “SEO experts” that offer their services for $10/hr while others charge $250/hr. If you’re a bargain-hunter, you may be drawn to the $100 option and you decide it’s best solely based on the low price. The trouble with doing this, just like the car dealer or your new shoes is that there’s a good chance you’re not getting the same thing. You’re not comparing apples to apples.
Price can only be one of many considerations when choosing an SEO company or website designer. It shouldn’t be the only criteria or you risk getting something that’s vastly different than what you actually need.
For small businesses scraping by on tight budgets, the idea of hiring an SEO company can feel like a pipe dream. Monthly retainers for SEO services—designed to push websites up the search engine rankings—often seem out of reach when every dollar is spoken for.
And I get it. You’re looking for a cheap SEO strategy.
As I’ve written before, SEO isn’t some mystical shortcut or a silver bullet you can fire and forget. It’s a grind. It takes time, effort, and persistence to see your website climb the ranks and stay in Google’s good graces.
But here’s the part that might surprise you: many small business owners don’t realize how much power they have to improve their website’s performance without shelling out for an expert. SEO agencies might not shout this from the rooftops (it’s their livelihood, after all!), but you can make a real dent in your rankings with a DIY approach—if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves.
In 2025, with search engines smarter than ever, the fundamentals still hold true: give Google what it wants, and it’ll reward you.
So, what does Google want? Let’s break it down into the core elements you can tackle on your own, even if your budget is next to nothing. I’ll give you a detailed roadmap, actionable steps, and a plan to see results in just 60 days—all without spending a dime.
Content: The Heartbeat of Your Website
If there’s one thing that’s stood the test of time in SEO, it’s content. Google loves websites that consistently deliver fresh, high-quality material that’s relevant to their audience. But “high-quality” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s measurable.
Google tracks how long people stay on your page, whether they bounce right back to the search results, and how often your content gets shared or linked to. Translation? You can’t fake it with keyword-stuffed gibberish or thin, pointless posts.
Instead, lean into what you know. Your business has a story, expertise, and value to offer—so share it. Write about your industry, your process, or your customers’ pain points. Not sure where to start? Think about what your audience might want to know: tips related to your services, updates on your offerings, or insights into how your business operates.
For instance, you could write about seasonal trends in your niche, explain a common problem your customers face, or highlight a new feature you’ve added to your lineup. Aim for two to three posts a week—about 300-500 words each is plenty to start, although if you can write a longer piece and keep it quality, do it. Long-form blog posts (over 1500 words) have been found to rank better overall.
Don’t overthink it; just make it useful and authentic.
Here’s a bonus: add a call-to-action at the end (e.g., “Sign up for our newsletter” or “Follow us on X for updates”) and include social sharing buttons. When readers spread your content on platforms like X or LinkedIn, it amplifies your reach and sends Google a signal that your site’s worth noticing. The more your content resonates, the more traction it’ll gain—both with people and with search engines.
Social Media: Your Megaphone to the World
Let’s talk social media—yes, even if you’d rather avoid it. Platforms like X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and whatever’s trending in 2025 aren’t just distractions; they’re free tools to boost your SEO. Google and other search engines pay attention to how active you are online. A vibrant social presence tells them your business is legitimate, engaged, and part of a living, breathing community.
Start simple: every time you publish a new post on your website, share it across your social channels. But don’t stop there—mix it up. Post a quick tip related to your industry, comment on a trending topic, or reshare something valuable from your niche.
The key is variety and consistency. For example, one day you might share your latest blog post with a catchy teaser; the next, you could ask your followers a question or post a fun fact tied to your business. Log in daily, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Engage with followers, reply to comments, or reshare relevant content. And double-check that every profile links back to your website—those connections matter.
Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s less about posting constantly and more about showing up regularly. Over time, this activity builds a web of signals that search engines can’t ignore, reinforcing your website’s credibility and reach.
Your 60-Day DIY SEO Blueprint
Ready to put this into practice? Here’s a step-by-step plan to kickstart your SEO without spending a penny. It’s straightforward but requires commitment—think of it as a two-month challenge to transform your online presence.
Ramp Up Content Creation: Commit to publishing a new blog post or article on your website 1 to 3 times each week. Set a schedule and stick to it. Write about what your customers care about or what showcases your expertise. If you’re stuck, brainstorm a list of ideas upfront: common questions you get, behind-the-scenes looks at your work, or practical advice tied to your industry.
Share Like Clockwork: After each post goes live, share a link on your social platforms—X, LinkedIn, Facebook, or all of them. Don’t just paste the URL; add a hook. For example: “Struggling with [problem]? Our latest post has 3 fixes you can try today.” This takes five minutes per post but makes a big difference. Experiment with timing—morning posts might work better for some audiences, evenings for others.
Stay Socially Active: Log into your accounts every day. Post something original a few times a week—maybe a quick thought, a question for your followers, or a photo of your work. Spend the rest of your time engaging: like comments, answer questions, or reshare content from others in your field. Aim for 10-15 minutes daily—it’s a small investment with a big payoff.
Add Basic Optimization: You don’t need to be an SEO pro, but sprinkle in a few easy wins. Pick a main topic or keyword for each post (something your customers might search for) and use it naturally in your title, a subheading, and once or twice in the text. Keep URLs clean (e.g., yoursite.com/topic-name) and add an image with a descriptive filename (e.g., “topic-name-image.jpg”). These tweaks help Google understand what your content’s about.
Measure Your Success: After 60 days, check your results. Pull up Google Analytics (it’s free—just set it up if you haven’t) and look at organic traffic (visitors from search engines), time on site, and referral traffic from social media. Compare it to the 60 days before you started. You should see growth—maybe a modest bump at first, but it’s a sign you’re on the right track. If the numbers don’t move, reassess: Are your topics relevant? Are you posting enough?
This approach works because it aligns with what search engines crave: fresh, useful content and an active online presence. It’s not instant—Google needs time to crawl your site and register your efforts—but it builds momentum. Stick with it, and you’ll see the needle move.
The Pitfall: Falling Off the Wagon
Here’s where most people stumble—and it’s completely understandable. You might crush it for the first two weeks, posting diligently and staying active on social media. Then life kicks in. A big project lands, an unexpected expense hits, or you’re just too wiped out to write. Suddenly, it’s been three weeks since your last post, and your social accounts are gathering dust. Sound familiar?
This is why SEO companies thrive. Managing content and social media isn’t hard, but it’s relentless. It’s like exercising—you don’t see results if you quit after a few sessions. If you’re determined to DIY, set yourself up for success: block off an hour a week to draft posts, use a scheduling tool for social shares, or jot down ideas whenever they strike. Consistency trumps perfection. Even two solid posts a week with regular social activity beats sporadic bursts followed by silence.
Beyond the Basics: What’s Next?
Once you’ve got this foundation locked in, you can layer on more if you’re ready. Speed up your website (Google hates slow load times—aim for under three seconds), chase backlinks by reaching out to industry blogs, or fine-tune meta descriptions to boost clicks from search results. These take more time or technical know-how, and you might eventually want help, but they’re not urgent. The plan I’ve outlined here is enough to get traction—and it’s entirely within your control.
Troubleshooting: What If It’s Not Working?
If 60 days pass and your traffic’s flat, don’t panic—it’s a chance to adjust. Ask yourself: Is your content hitting the mark? Search online or on X for what your audience is talking about, and tailor your posts to match. Are you posting enough? Two posts a week is a minimum; three or more is better. Are you engaging online? Sharing without interacting is like shouting into a void. Tweak, experiment, and keep going—SEO rewards persistence.
The Bottom Line: You’ve Got More Control Than You Think
SEO doesn’t have to be a budget-buster or a black box. You don’t need a fat wallet or a fancy contract to start climbing the search engine ladder. With a little grit and a lot of consistency, you can boost your rankings, draw more visitors, and grow your business—all on your own terms. Start this week. Commit for 60 days. Check your stats. You’ll be amazed at what you can pull off. Google’s watching—and so are your future customers.
