Master SEO Today

Learn how SEO works, its advantages over PPC, and the synergy between SEO and paid strategies.

Your SEO Questions Answered

SEO Q&A for Business Owners

1. What is SEO, and why should I care about it for my business?

Answer: SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s the process of making your website show up higher on Google when people search for things you sell or offer. If you’re a plumber in Leeds, for example, SEO helps you appear when someone in Leeds types “plumber near me.” You should care because most people don’t scroll past the first page of Google—better visibility means more customers finding you without paying for ads.

2. How can SEO actually help my business grow?

Answer: SEO brings more people to your website naturally—without you spending money on every click like with ads. More visitors can mean more sales, bookings, or inquiries. It also builds trust: people tend to pick businesses they see at the top of Google. Over time, this steady stream of customers can grow your revenue without constant ad costs.

3. What’s the difference between doing SEO myself and hiring a freelance SEO consultant?

Answer: Doing it yourself might save money upfront, but SEO takes time, tools, and know-how to get right—think of it like fixing your own car versus hiring a mechanic. A freelance SEO consultant brings expertise, keeps up with Google’s changes, and creates a plan just for your business. They save you time and get results faster, so you can focus on running your company.

4. How does a freelance SEO consultant figure out what my business needs?

Answer: They start by looking at your website, your competitors, and what your customers search for online. For example, if you run a bakery, they might find people search “fresh cakes Manchester” but your site isn’t showing up for it. They’ll spot what’s holding you back—like a slow site or missing keywords—and build a plan to fix it and get you noticed.

5. What kind of strategies might an SEO consultant use to help me?

Answer: Here are a few they might try:

Fixing your website: Making it load faster or work better on phones so Google likes it more.
Using the right words: Adding terms like “best coffee shop Bristol” to your site that match what customers search.
Local SEO: Getting you on Google Maps so nearby people find you.
Content ideas: Writing blogs like “Top 5 Wedding Cake Trends” to attract visitors.
Links: Getting other sites to link to yours, which boosts your Google ranking.
These are customised to your goals, whether it’s more sales or foot traffic.

6. How does SEO improve my ROI (return on investment)?

Answer: ROI is about getting more back than you put in. With SEO, you pay a consultant once to set things up, and then your website keeps bringing in customers for months or years with low maintenance cost—unlike ads where you pay per click. For example, if you spend £1,000 on SEO and get £5,000 in new sales over time, that’s a strong return. It’s a long-term investment that keeps paying off.

7. How long does it take to see results from SEO?

Answer: It’s not instant—it usually takes 6-10 months to see big changes, depending on your industry and competition. But once it kicks in, the results stick around longer than ads. A freelance consultant can speed this up by focusing on quick wins, like fixing easy website issues or targeting less competitive searches first.

8. Why choose a freelance SEO consultant over a big agency?

Answer: Freelancers are often cheaper and give you one-on-one attention—agencies might charge more and juggle lots of clients. A freelancer can tailor everything to your business, like a custom suit, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. Plus, they’re flexible and can adjust fast if your needs change.

9. Can SEO work for my specific business, even if I’m in a small niche?

Answer: Yes! Whether you sell handmade jewellery or run a dog grooming service, SEO finds the people searching for what you offer. A consultant digs into your niche—say, “vegan leather bags UK”—and makes sure those exact customers find you. No business is too small or specialised.

10. How do I know if the SEO is working?

Answer: A good consultant shows you proof: more website visitors, higher Google rankings, or more calls and sales. They might use tools to track how many people find you through searches like “best pizza takeaway” and how that turns into money. You’ll see clear numbers, not just promises.