"Search Engine Optimisation"

Understanding SEO

Why It Matters and How to Boost Your Website’s Performance

If you’ve every wondered why some websites appear at the top of Google while others to get seen, the answer lies in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). For small businesses, understanding and improving your SEO can make the difference between being discovered by potential customers, or being overlooked.

At Sitela, we help local businesses in Peterborough and beyond, improve their visibility online. Let’s break down how SEO works, what affects it and how you can start improving your own websites performance.

What Exactly is SEO?

SEO is the process of improving your website so that it appears higher in search engine results. When someone searches for “gym in Peterborough” or “Local web building business”, search engines like Google decide which website to show first based on how relevant, trustworthy and user-friendly they are.

Think of SEO as placing your business on the busiest street online. The better your SEO, the more likely potential customers are to find you when they are actively searching for what you offer.

How SEO Works 

Search engines scan your website using crawlers (and millions of others) to understand what each page is about. They look for keywords, page structure, links and how well your site perform technically. Then, they use this information to rank your pages in the search results. 

Top factors that influence SEO include:

  • Quality content: Clear, helpful information that answers what people are searching for. 
  • Keywords: The words and phrases your customers type into Google. 
  • Technical Performance: How quickly your website loads, whether it’s secure, and how well it works on all devices. 
  • Links: Both internal links (between your own pages) and external links (from other trusted sites) 

Together, these elements tell search engines that your site is reliable, useable, and worth recommending.

Why SEO Matters for Small Businesses.


For small businesses, SEO lvels the playing field. You don’t need a huge advertising budget, just a well optimised website that reaches the right people at the right time. 


Good SEO helps you: 

  • Attract local customers who are ready to buy or enquire.
  • Build trust and credibility through consistent, quality traffic.
  • Reduce marketing costs by earning organic traffic instead of paying for ads.
  • Stay competitive against larger brands in your area.

Studies show that over 90% of online experiences start with a search engine, and the first page of results captures nearly all the clicks. If your website isn’t showing up there, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities.

 

How to start improving your SEO 

Here are a few ways you can begin strengthening your SEO today: 

 

  • Add clear headings to every page. Make it easy for readers and crawlers to understand your content.
  • Use relevant keywords that you customers might search for. 
  • Optimise images so your site loads quickly. 
  • Check that your website works on mobile devices. 
  • Update content regularly to show your site is active and relevant/ 

 

Even small improvements can have a big impact over time. 

Final Thoughts

SEO isn’t a one-time fix, it’s an ongoing process of making your website stronger and more visible. But payoff is huge! Consistent traffic, better leads and long term growth. 

 

If you’re not sure where to start, Sitela can help. We will assess your websites performance, explain what’s working (and what isn’t), and create a plan to get your business seen where it matters most. Right on the first page of Google. 

Get in Touch

Got a project in mind? We would love to hear about it!

Complete the contact form or email us using our details below. We will get back to you as soon as possible. 

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Get in Touch

Got a project in mind? We would love to hear about it!

Complete the contact form or email us using our details below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.