5 free ways to ensure your business can be found on Google

Practical digital marketing tips for small business owners

If you run a small business, getting found on Google is essential. For many SMEs, search visibility directly impacts enquiries, sales, and growth, but the good news is you don’t always need a big marketing budget to improve it. As a marketing consultant, I’ve seen first-hand how simple, free steps can transform online visibility and make marketing more manageable.

Here are five free and effective ways to improve your business’s presence on Google.

1. Lay the foundations for SEO

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is one of the most cost-effective ways to drive traffic to your website. Start by setting up Google Business Profile. A complete profile with accurate details, photos, and customer reviews helps your business appear in local searches.

Next, research your keywords. These are the terms your customers actually type into Google. Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner. Once identified, weave these naturally into your website copy, headings, and metadata.

Finally, check your site’s technical health. Broken links, slow loading times, or missing alt tags can all hurt your ranking. Free audit tools will highlight improvements you can make yourself.

2. Create useful blog content

Blogging is still one of the most powerful ways to improve your SEO and build authority. Write content that will answer your customers’ questions.

Consistency is key. Aim for at least one blog a month, keep headlines clear and searchable, and structure articles with subheadings so they’re easy to scan. Always finish with a call to action, whether that’s contacting you, downloading a guide, or reading another article.

3. Optimise your social media profiles

Even if you don’t rely heavily on social media, your profiles are searchable. Update your business description, make sure your job title is relevant, and include the same keywords you use on your website. Consistency across LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms helps reinforce your brand.

4. Keep your website fresh

A neglected website can quickly undermine credibility. Review your site regularly:

• Update the “About Us” section with new clients, awards, or achievements

• Refresh images (there are free stock libraries if you don’t have your own)

• Check that all links, forms, and downloads work correctly

• Add clear, varied calls to action to guide visitors

  
  

Even small updates signal to Google that your site is active, helping your SEO.

5. Collect and showcase reviews

Customer reviews act as both social proof and a ranking signal for Google. Encourage clients to leave reviews directly on your Google Business Profile. You can also collect testimonials through LinkedIn or industry platforms, and use them across your website and proposals. Remember, reviews build trust, reassure potential customers, and help you stand out from competitors.

Staying ahead with free marketing tactics

Digital marketing doesn’t have to be expensive but it does require consistency. By laying SEO foundations, producing regular content, refreshing your online presence, and gathering reviews, your business will be more visible and more trusted.

If you’d like tailored support, Sharp Thinking offers structured marketing strategy advice for SMEs, fractional CMO services, and hands-on mentoring to help small businesses in Kent and beyond take control of their marketing.

Ready to improve your marketing strategy and make your business easier to find on Google? Get in touch for clear, practical advice that drives results.