Oct 15, 20244 min read

Three Simple Things You Can Do Today to Boost Your Online Presence

If you’re a small business owner, you probably already know that having a strong online presence is pretty important these days. But if you’re feeling a little unsure about where to start or what small steps you can take right now, you’re definitely not alone! Here are three simple things you can do today to help people find your business online—without feeling overwhelmed.

1. SEO Basics: Getting Your Website Found

You’ve got a website, so let’s make sure people can actually find it. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) might sound complicated, but there are a few small tweaks you can make that can have a big impact.

Title Tags - Title tags are like the headlines on the search results page (SERP). Each page on your site needs a clear, straightforward title that tells search engines and visitors what the page is about. Here’s a great way to make sure you’re using the right title:
Use those same words in your title tags because, chances are, that’s exactly what your potential customers are searching for, too. For example, if you run a bakery in Sedalia, MO, you wouldn’t want your homepage title to just be “Home” or even your business name (since people might not know it yet). Instead, try something like “Best Bakery in Sedalia, MO – Fresh Pastries & Cakes.” This way, search engines—and the people searching—know exactly what you offer and where you’re located. Keep it short and sweet—around 55 characters—so the full title shows up in search results.

Meta Descriptions - Meta descriptions are those little blurbs that show up under your title on the search results page. It’s your chance to briefly explain what people will find on the page and include some key info. This is where you can pack in those keywords. For example, a good meta description for our bakery could be: “Visit Cozy Cakes for freshly baked pastries, cakes, and cookies. Order online or visit us in Sedalia, MO.”
Aim for around 150 characters so your entire message shows up in the search results.
Alt Text (Image Descriptions) - Don’t forget about your images! Search engines can’t “see” pictures the way we do, so they rely on alt text (descriptions) to understand what’s in an image. Adding clear, descriptive alt text not only helps search engines know what’s in the picture, but it also improves accessibility for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. When someone uses a screen reader, the alt text you write will be used to describe the image to them, which improves their experience.

Bonus tip: Search engines prioritize websites that are more accessible, so adding good alt text can actually boost your SEO rankings as well.

So, for example, if you’ve got an image of a chocolate cake on your website, adding alt text like:

This will help both search engines and users with screen readers know exactly what’s in the picture.

2. Use Social Media as a Search Engine

What do our customers value most these days? Convenience!

I’m sure you all have, at the minimum, a Facebook page. As social media evolves, it’s no longer just a place to share cute photos of your kids or pets or catch up with friends —it’s becoming a go-to tool for discovering local businesses. More people are turning to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to find local businesses, sometimes even before they go to Google.

And why not? They’re already on these platforms, scrolling through their feed, engaging with friends, and seeing what’s happening in their community.

Think about it—when someone is looking for a new restaurant, hair salon, or local service, they’re probably checking Facebook first to see what others are saying. They can read reviews, check out photos, and see if their friends recommend a particular business.

Simple tip: treat your social media profiles like mini-websites.

Keep your business info up-to-date, post regularly, and don’t be afraid to ask happy customers for reviews. That way, when someone stumbles across your page, they have all the info they need right there.

3. Ask Your Happy Customers for Reviews (Google and Facebook)

This one’s easy but super important—ask your happy customers to leave you a review. People trust reviews when deciding which business to try, so the more positive reviews you have, the better. And don’t be shy about it! If someone had a great experience, they’re usually happy to share it.

Google Reviews -
The more reviews you have (and the better they are), the more likely Google is to show your business when someone’s searching for something you offer. Plus, Google reviews appear right alongside your business listing, making it easy for potential customers to see them.
Facebook Reviews -
If your page has plenty of glowing reviews, it can help build trust with new customers. They’re already on Facebook, so they don’t even have to leave the platform to see what others think about your business.

The next time someone tells you they had a great experience, just ask if they’d mind leaving a quick review. You’d be surprised at how many people are happy to help out!

You can do these three simple things today to improve your online presence. Whether tweaking your website, updating your social media, or gathering reviews, each step will help more people find your business.