West Erie Marketing Services Spotlight: SEO
- West Erie Marketing
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Are people actually finding your business online... or just your competitors?
If your website isn't showing up in search results, chances are you're losing potential customers before they ever know you exist. That’s where SEO [search engine optimization] comes in.
At West Erie Marketing, we help local businesses stand out online with simple, effective SEO strategies tailored for the Lake Erie region. Whether you're a small shop in Toledo or a seasonal destination on Kelleys Island, search visibility can make or break your digital success. Let’s dig into what SEO means, why it matters, and what you can do right now to improve your rankings.
What Is SEO?
SEO is the process of improving your website so that it ranks higher in search engines like Google. It’s not just about traffic. It’s about the right traffic: people actively searching for your products, services, or expertise. There’s more than one way to improve your ranking. Let's break down the most common types of SEO:
Local SEO – Making sure your business ranks well in map results and local searches (especially important for small businesses)
Off-Page SEO – Building your site’s authority through backlinks, local citations, and social signals
On-Page SEO – Optimizing content, keywords, and structure on your actual website
Technical SEO – Enhancing your site’s speed, mobile responsiveness, and crawlability for search engines
Each of these plays a vital role in your overall SEO strategy. Google uses over 200 ranking factors to determine where a site lands in search results. The most important factors include: backlinks, brand signals, keyword optimization, quality content, schema markup, social signals, technical SEO, and UX [user experience].
Why SEO Matters
Your website is your digital storefront. Without proper SEO, your website is casting lines in the middle of Lake Erie... no bait, no bites.
75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results
SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate, compared to just 1.7% for outbound leads like cold calls
Local SEO helps businesses appear in Google’s “3-Pack,” the top three map listings, which get over 44% of all clicks
When done right, SEO gives your business long-term visibility that you don’t have to pay for repeatedly like traditional ads.
5 Actionable SEO Tips for Small Business Owners
You don’t need to be an expert to start improving your search visibility. These small updates can make a big difference in how search engines find and rank your site. More importantly, they help potential customers find you. SEO isn’t just about traffic. It’s about getting the right people to your digital doorstep. Every search is an opportunity. Make it count. Want to start boosting your search presence today?
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Make it easy for local customers to find and trust your business.
Add high-quality photos of your storefront or services
Choose the correct primary and secondary business categories
Ensure your hours, contact info, and location are accurate
Respond to reviews to build trust and improve engagement
2. Use Keywords Naturally in Your Website Copy
Think like your customers. What would you type into Google if you were looking for your service? Speak your customers’ language so search engines can connect the dots.
Avoid keyword stuffing and keep it conversational
Identify keywords your audience searches for
Refresh older pages with updated keyword phrases
Work them into headings, paragraphs, and image alt text
3. Create Location-Specific Pages or Blog Posts
Showcase your connection to local areas to boost regional visibility. This helps your site show up in regional searches.
Add driving directions or landmarks to contact pages
Highlight local partnerships or testimonials
Use city or county names in page titles and subheadings
Write blog posts about events or trends in your service area
4. Speed Up Your Website
A slow site frustrates users and gets penalized by search engines. Run a speed check using Google’s PageSpeed Insights. Fast websites rank higher and keep visitors from bouncing.
Compress images without sacrificing quality
Enable browser caching and minify code where possible
Remove unused plugins or scripts
Use a reliable hosting provider with strong performance
5. Get Listed on Local Directories
Appear in more searches and earn valuable backlinks. Ensure your business is on industry-specific directories; many of these provide valuable backlinks.
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews across platforms
Look for industry-specific directories or local chambers
Submit your business to Yelp, Bing Places, and Apple Maps
Use consistent Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) info across listings
What We Offer
Ready to stop being invisible online? We specialize in SEO that works for local businesses. Whether you're starting from scratch or need a tune-up, we’ll audit your site, research keywords, and help you rank where it counts.
We’re based in the Western Lake Erie region, so we understand the unique mix of seasonal traffic, tourism, and hometown loyalty that fuels our local economy.
SEO strategies are designed to meet people where they’re searching. At West Erie Marketing, our SEO services eliminate these common pain points for small businesses:
Backlink Building: Boosts authority with links from trusted sites
Content Optimization: Improves copy for search and clarity
Keyword Research: Finds the terms your audience is searching
Local SEO: Increases visibility in local search and maps
Off-Page SEO: Builds credibility through external signals
On-Page SEO: Optimizes titles, text, and internal links
SEO Audit: Identifies and fixes SEO issues
Technical SEO: Improves site speed and crawlability
+ more!
Search engines are often the first place customers go to find what they need. If your business isn’t showing up, you’re not just missing clicks; you’re missing opportunities. Investing in SEO helps you connect with the right audience in the right place at the right time. Is your business getting found, or just getting buried?
Ready to Improve Your SEO?
Don’t let your website drift in the dark. West Erie Marketing can boost your search visibility with local SEO strategies that bring customers right to your digital doorstep. What would it mean for your business if more people found you online?
📲 Reach out today to schedule quote and receive a FREE SEO audit!
