Nowadays, Search engine optimization is a top priority for any business looking to establish itself via the internet. This applies to both startups and established businesses. However, startups are at a disadvantage because they are competing with large companies that have deep pockets as well as extensive resources at their disposal.
The marketing budget for startups tends to be very limited compared to the already established business. This results in startup SEO becoming a tricky undertaking due to funding. Nonetheless, irrespective of the marketing budget a startup has; it can still manage to achieve its goals if the budget gest utilized wisely.
So how does a startup business optimize its website for search engines despite having a limited budget?
Well, SEO works the same for both established and upcoming businesses. Hence, irrespective of the money your startup has, the same strategies apply.
We have compiled eight of the most effective strategies a new enterprise can utilize to gain traction on their online presence even with limited funding.
If you want to learn more about SEO for startups, keep reading.
1. Limit your efforts to one niche
The marketing budget for startups only allows them to focus on a limited number of approaches. Hence, it will not be possible to effectively apply SEO marketing on a range of niches in your market.
You have to choose a niche in which you are strategically confident you can hack. This way, you can focus your limited budget on resources at excelling on the single niche.
Understand that established businesses also started with one niche and gradually expanded to other niches. If you take on multiple niches, you will get stretched thin both in terms of funds and efforts.
The truth is, you can excel better in one niche as opposed to multiple niches while working with limited capital.
2. Make use of free tools
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to spend your money on all your SEO. You can make use of free resources that still get the job done and get to save money. You get to save money that you can use to further your SEO marketing in other areas.
You can make use of free tools such as:
- Google analytics
- Google Keyword Planner
- Google and Bing webmaster
There are dozens upon dozens of SEO freeware tools available for you, and they can assist you in:
- Keyword research
- Identifying technical issues and fixing them
- Identifying trends
- Monitoring your traffic as well as competitor traffic
Remember you are competing with businesses that have extensive resources at their disposal and hence you should have realistic goals for your SEO.
3. Focus on dominating local SEO
Over recent years, local search engine optimization has become a fundamental cornerstone for search engine startups. If you are looking to provide a service locally, you should focus your energy and budget on local searches.
You can start by registering your business on Google My Business, which is a free service that lets users find your business and its address when they search for related service in your local area.
An added benefit of registering is that your business will appear on Google maps as well as SERP.
4. Make use of content gaps
Content gaps refer to content that is trending or generating interest, but your competitors have yet to provide it.
When working with a tight budget, it is best to utilize it on strategies that are not very competitive. Hence, by working on content gaps, you can easily make strides with a small marketing budget because there isn’t much competition.
Additionally, the content you put out will attract users with interest. If the content is relevant, they will share it, and you will gain more traffic to your website.
5. Make use of guest blogging
Guest blogging involves providing content for other sites in exchange for a link back to your website. If you have content ideas that can benefit an authoritative website, you can offer to provide them with a blog piece.
In exchange, they allow you to leave a link to your website. Hence, when users come across the blog, they can click on the link and get directed to your site. This is an easy way to generate traffic without having to spend money.
However, to effectively apply this strategy, you need to understand how backlinking and anchor texts work.
6. Network with SEO communities
Joining various forums and attending local networking meetups is also another way to spruce up your SEO game on a limited SEO budget.
The point of networking is to share business ideas. However, in your case, you get a chance to meet and build relationships with key influencers to high authoritative websites. You can share your thoughts with them as well as ask them for guest features.
Additionally, you get to gain first-hand information on how to turn your SEO efforts into revenue from people who are already doing it.
It also gives you a chance to showcase your products or services to potential customers. All the while, receiving advice on how to create SEO optimized content that meets the top search engines criteria.
7. Reverse engineer your competitors work
On a startup budget, it is not possible to access the top tier SEO strategies that established business use. However, this doesn’t stop you from reverse engineering their work.
As a startup make a point of following your competitors and motivators on
- Social media
- Guest posts
- Their websites
- Comments on their posts
The fact is, all their best SEO strategies get displayed on their content works. However, it is up to you to reverse engineer content work to get the strategy.
Look for what they have consistently used over a long time. If a strategy works, competitors are bound to use it repeatedly. Hence, look for patterns in their work and apply them to yours.
This will save you a lot of money in the marketing budget for your startup.
8. Consult with an expert
As a self-taught SEO expert, you can hardly match the expertise of a seasoned SEO professional. With a small marketing budget for startups, hiring full-time SEO experts may not be friendly to your finances.
However, you can consult an expert on how to get to the next step. Remember, asking for advice is cheaper than hiring a full time professional. By doing so, you get expert information on how to apply SEO and still manage to stay within your SEO budget.
If you want to consult a professional on matters relating to SEO, go to this trusted expert.
Conclusion on using SEO for startups
SEO for startups is often limited to the startup budget as well as the level of expertise applied. However, despite the marketing budget for startups having a limit, they can still make adequate use of it to enhance their search engine optimization.
The eight keys highlighted above will enable you to make the most of your SEO budget without overstretching your startup budget.
However, it is essential to note that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Hence, take your time and do not rush the process. Keep checking back for more business tips.
