✅ Search Engine Optimization Do It Yourself: A Realistic Guide for Time-Strapped Entrepreneurs
- Crystal Waddell
- May 25
- 8 min read
I used to think SEO was only for techy people or big-budget brands.
When I first moved from Etsy to my own Shopify store, I was completely overwhelmed.
I knew I wanted more control in my digital marketing—but I had no idea where to start.
Having complete control over your SEO strategy means you can make decisions that fit your business goals, without relying on agencies or outside influences.
What I discovered?
You don’t need to become an SEO expert to start showing up on Google. You just need the right steps—and someone to guide you through it.
Now I teach other creative entrepreneurs how to do their own SEO—without burnout, confusion, or tech drama.
If you’re ready to learn the basics, take control of your visibility, and stop relying on rented platforms—this guide is for you.
🧭 Why Learn DIY SEO?
Here’s what doing your own SEO unlocks:
Without SEO | With DIY SEO |
Rely on platform traffic | Control your own visibility |
Guessing what to post | Targeting keywords with purpose |
One sale at a time | Evergreen traffic that compounds |
Burnout from social media | Organic traffic and leads from Google & Pinterest |
🧰 The Core SEO Tools You Need (All Free!)
An SEO tool is any software or platform that helps you analyze, optimize, and improve your website's SEO performance.
Tool | What It Does | Why You Need It |
Google Search Console | Tells you how Google sees your site | Fix issues + track progress |
Google Analytics | Shows who visits your site + behavior | Spot what’s working |
Ubersuggest / Keywords Everywhere | Help you find keywords your audience is searching for, including keyword ideas and search volume | Plan content people search for |
AnswerThePublic | Visualize keyword questions | Write helpful blog posts |
Surfer | Combines elements of SEO research and strategy | Save time, rank faster. |
🔍 Understanding Google’s Search Results
Ever wonder how Google decides what shows up first when you type something into the search engine?
It’s not magic—it’s a mix of smart algorithms, keyword research, and a little bit of strategy.
When you search for something, Google’s search results are split into two main types: paid results (ads) and organic results.
For most website owners, organic results are the real prize.
These are the listings that Google’s algorithm chooses based on how relevant, trustworthy, and useful your content is—not how much you pay.
In 2025, don't waste your time on top-of-the-funnel, "informational" or "what is" type keywords.
Focus on keywords that will connect buyers to what you sell.
Here’s what matters most for showing up in those organic search results:
Keyword research: Find out what your potential customers are actually searching for. Use those keyword phrases naturally in your content.
On page optimization: Make sure each page is clear, helpful, and focused on a specific topic or question.
Link building: The more quality links pointing to your site from other websites, the more authority your site has in Google’s eyes.
Bottom line:
If you want effective SEO, focus on creating relevant content that answers real questions.
Make it easy for both users and search engines to find it.
That’s how you climb the search results and get found by your target audience.
🚦 Step-by-Step: Do-It-Yourself SEO in Under 30 Minutes a Day
💬 Real Talk: You’re not the only one figuring this out.
Sarah is an Etsy-turned Shopify seller who felt lost in Google Search Console. She joined the SEO Squad and saw her first ranking blog post in under 30 days.
Jo, an event and fashion brand photographer, used this same framework to build a simple, effective SEO plan that has booked out her schedule.
You can do this too.
And if you need support, that’s exactly what the SEO Squad is for.
You don’t need any prior SEO experience to follow this plan—just a willingness to learn and take action.
📥 → Apply to join the SEO Squad.
Break your SEO efforts into weekly “micro-sprints.”
Here’s a 4-week plan to get started:
Week 1: Set Up & Observe
✅ Create a Google Search Console account
✅ Link it to your website
✅ Submit your sitemap (many platforms do this for you) — this helps Google index all your important site pages
✅ Make sure your site is mobile-friendly
Visual Aid: Screenshot of a Search Console dashboard with key areas labeled.
Week 2: Keyword Strategy Basics
✅ Brainstorm 5 things your customers search for
✅ Use Ubersuggest or Google Autocomplete to expand ideas
✅ Pick 1–2 long-tail keywords per page or blog post, and make sure to optimize each given page for its chosen keywords
✅ Add keywords naturally to:
Your headings (H1, H2s)
Page titles, title tags, and meta descriptions (these are crucial for SEO—page titles and title tags help search engines and users understand your content, while meta descriptions provide a concise summary that can improve click-through rates)
Image file names + alt text
First paragraph of content
Tip: Write a good meta description for each given page.
A good meta description should summarize the content clearly, include your main keyword, and encourage users to click from search results.
💡 Pro Tip Table:
Keyword | Best Page Type | CTA Idea |
"City + event photographer" | Portfolio page | "Book Now" Link |
“Cute Hats For Dogs” | Product/collection page | "Buy Now" Button |
"Long Pink Summer Dresses" | Product/collection page | "Add to Cart" Button |
Note: Creating new content like collection pages, service pages, or FAQs helps your site rank for more keywords and better address your audience’s questions.
Week 3: Optimize What You Already Have
✅ Identify 3 top-performing pages (via Google Analytics)
✅ Add 1–2 internal links to each page
✅ Improve headings, meta titles, and image alt text
✅ Fix broken links (use Broken Link Checker)
Regularly updating and improving quality content is essential for boosting your SEO performance and increasing your site's authority.
Consistently maintaining relevant, authoritative content helps drive better rankings and long-term organic growth.
Visual Aid: Before-and-after content snippet showing poor vs. optimized SEO copy.
Week 4: Track + Tweak
✅ Check your impressions and clicks in Search Console
✅ Update underperforming blog posts with better keywords
✅ Use competitor analysis to identify keyword gaps and new opportunities
✅ Start a keyword tracker (manual spreadsheet works!)
✅ Celebrate: You’re officially doing your own SEO 🎉
🛠️ Technical SEO Fundamentals (Without the Jargon)
Technical SEO might sound intimidating, but it’s really about making sure your website works smoothly for both people and search engines.
Here are the basics you need to know—no tech degree required:
Website speed: If your site takes forever to load, visitors (and search engines) will bounce. Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s speed and follow their simple tips to make it faster.
Mobile usability: Most people browse on their phones. Make sure your site looks great and works well on all mobile devices. Google’s search engine gives preference to mobile-friendly sites, so this is a must.
Internal linking: Help search engines (and your visitors) find their way around your site by linking to related, relevant content within your own pages.
This also helps highlight your most important content.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to handle technical SEO. Just focus on a fast, mobile-friendly site with clear internal links, and you’ll be ahead of most competitors.
🔗 Internal Linking & Website Structure Made Simple
Think of internal linking as giving your visitors (and search engines) a helpful map of your website.
When you link from one page to another using descriptive anchor text (like “DIY SEO checklist” instead of “click here”), you make it easier for everyone to find your best content.
Here’s how to make internal linking work for you:
Highlight important pages: Link to your most valuable or popular pages from other relevant pages.
Use target keywords: When you create links, use anchor text that includes your target keywords—just make sure it reads naturally.
Keep it organized: A clear website structure helps search engines understand what your site is about and which pages matter most.
Review regularly: As you add new content, update your internal links to keep everything connected and relevant.
A strong internal linking strategy not only boosts your search engine rankings but also keeps visitors engaged and exploring more of your site.
🚫 Avoiding Common SEO Mistakes
Even the best DIY SEO plans can get tripped up by a few common mistakes.
Here’s what to watch out for—and how to fix them:
Duplicate content: If you have the same (or very similar) content on multiple pages, search engines might see your site as low-quality. Make sure each page offers unique value.
Broken links: Nothing frustrates visitors (or search engines) more than clicking a link that leads nowhere. Use free tools to scan for broken links and fix them regularly.
Poor mobile usability: If your site doesn’t work well on mobile devices, you’ll lose visitors and search engine rankings. Always check your site on different devices to ensure a smooth experience.
How to Fix Duplicate Content (Without Losing Your Mind)
Why it matters: Google wants to show users the best, most relevant result—not five copies of the same idea.
🔍 Step-by-Step: Fixing Duplicate Content
🔧 Fix It If You… | ✅ What To Do |
Have similar/copied product pages (most common issue in Shopify stores) | Customize descriptions, image alt text, and meta titles so each page targets a unique keyword. |
Copy/pasted text between blog posts | Rewrite one version to focus on a different angle, format, or use case. |
Reuse homepage text on your About or Services page | Replace with personalized, page-specific messaging (e.g. values on About, benefits on Services). |
Have multiple URLs showing the same content (e.g., with/without “www” or “/”) | Set canonical tags to tell Google which version is “official.” Most platforms like Shopify/Wix handle this automatically. |
Use the same blog intro repeatedly | Get creative—try a story, stat, or Q&A format to mix it up. |
✨ Quick Wins
✅ Update page titles and meta descriptions to reflect the unique intent of each page
✅ Consolidate similar pages and 301 redirect the duplicate to the better version
📌 Pro Tip:
szzwsThink of each page like a team member—everyone should have a specific job. If two pages are trying to rank for the same thing, combine or differentiate them.
Set a reminder to audit your website every few months.
Fixing these issues keeps your site healthy, user-friendly, and ready to climb the search engine rankings.
📣 Digital Marketing Strategies to Boost Your SEO
SEO doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it works best when combined with smart digital marketing strategies. Here’s how to give your SEO efforts an extra boost:
Content creation: Regularly publish high-quality, relevant content that answers your audience’s questions. This attracts links, shares, and more visitors from search engines.
Social media marketing: Share your content on platforms where your audience hangs out. Social signals can increase brand awareness and drive more traffic to your site.
Email marketing: Use your email list to promote new blog posts, products, or resources. More eyes on your content means more chances for links and engagement.
By weaving digital marketing into your SEO strategy, you’ll reach more potential customers, build your site’s authority, and see better results in the search engine rankings.
It’s a win-win for your successful website!
🙋♀️ But What If You’re Still Feeling Lost?
You don’t have to DIY alone.
I created the SEO Squad to give you a safe, supportive place to:
Ask questions without feeling dumb
Get clarity on your own SEO strategy
Learn alongside other creative entrepreneurs
📥 Feeling stuck or scattered? Learn more about the SEO Squad. 🎯
Get clear steps, kind support, and a real plan for showing up on Google.
If you are ready to join, apply for the SEO Squad now →
If you find your site has complex issues or you’re not sure how to move forward, consider reaching out to SEO experts, SEO professionals, or a reputable SEO agency finder like JunctionJack.
They can provide specialized support, technical expertise, and strategic guidance to help you achieve your SEO goals.
💬 Final Thoughts
SEO isn’t about hacking the system.
It’s about creating content that helps real people—and making sure search engines can find it.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
✨ Remember this:
“Done is better than perfect. Progress > perfection.”
🔖 Quick Recap: 5 First Wins for DIY SEO
Set up Google Search Console
Choose 1 key topic per page
Optimize your page title and meta description
Add internal links and alt text (Make sure your alt text is descriptive to help users who rely on screen readers.)
Check performance monthly
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