Feb222025
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5 Most Important DIY SEO Improvements 

In today’s competitive digital landscape, it’s essential for trades companies to establish a strong online presence. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can significantly enhance your website’s visibility, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately help grow your business. While hiring an SEO professional is an option, the industry is full of snake oil salesmen promising you to rank on the first page of Google, all for a not-so-small monthly fee. As a construction and trades company owner you can take several actions yourself to optimise your website’s SEO performance. This article will provide you with five effective actions to implement and improve your company’s website SEO.

 

1️ Optimise Page Speed & Mobile-Friendliness

Why? Google ranks faster, mobile-friendly websites higher. Slow load times hurt user experience and rankings.

✅ How to Do It Yourself:

 

2️  Fix Title Tags, Meta Descriptions & Headings (H1-H6) 

Why? These elements tell search engines and users what your page is about. A well-optimised title can increase click-through rates (CTR) by 30% or more.

✅ How to Do It Yourself:

  • Check & update page titles: Use a keyword-rich, engaging title (under 60 characters)
  • Write compelling meta descriptions: Summarise the page in 150-160 characters, making it clickable
  • Use proper heading structure:
    • H1 = Main Title (only one per page)
    • H2, H3, H4 = Subheadings with keywords
  • Example of a good title tag:
    • ❌ “Home | ABC Construction” (Too generic)
    • ✅ “ABC Construction – Expert Builders in Waikato”

 

3️  Create & Improve High-Quality Content

Why? Content is the #1 ranking factor. Google favours helpful, engaging, and keyword-rich content.

✅ How to Do It Yourself:

  • Write for your audience, not just search engines (answer their common questions)
  • Use keywords naturally: Add them to the title, H1, first paragraph, and URL
  • Keep it structured: Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and bold key phrases
  • Update old content: Refresh outdated info and improve readability
  • Write blog posts or guides: Aim for at least 800–1,500 words for in-depth topics

Example: Instead of just listing your services, create blog content like:
“How to Choose the Right Builder in [insert your area] (5 Key Factors)”

 

4️  Improve Internal Linking & URL Structure 

Why? Internal links boost SEO by helping search engines understand your site, and they keep visitors engaged longer.

✅ How to Do It Yourself:

  • Link related pages together: If you have a blog about “House Renovation Tips,” link it to your “Renovation Services” page
  • Use descriptive anchor text: Instead of “Click here,” use “Learn more about our home renovation services“
  • Keep URLs short & keyword-rich:
    • ❌ website.com/page123?id=45 (Bad)
    • ✅ website.com/house-renovation-tips (Good)

 

5️  Get More Backlinks & Optimise Google Business Profile (For Local SEO)

Why? Backlinks (links from other websites) increase your website’s authority. If you’re a local business, Google My Business (GMB) is your best free SEO tool.

✅ How to Do It Yourself:

  • Claim & optimise your Google My Business Profile: Add photos, correct business hours, and request customer reviews
  • Submit your website to local directories (e.g., Yellow Pages NZ, NoCowboys)
  • Ask for backlinks: Partner with local businesses or get featured on industry blogs
  • Guest post on relevant sites to earn links back to your site

 

 Quick Wins & Next Steps

✅ Step 1: Run a free SEO audit using Google Search Console
✅ Step 2: Fix titles, meta descriptions, and improve your content
✅ Step 3: Speed up your website & ensure it’s mobile-friendly
✅ Step 4: Improve internal linking and structure
✅ Step 5: Build authority with backlinks & Google Business Profile

 

By implementing these five effective actions, construction trades company owners can begin to take charge of their website’s basic SEO and drive more organic traffic. With a little time and effort, you will see your construction company’s website climb the search engine rankings, attract more visitors, and ultimately contribute to the growth and success of your business. All for little or no monetary cost.

For help in putting a marketing plan together to help increase the flow of quality leads, email me at andy@tradescoach.co.nz and we can book in a time, or request a strategy session at https://www.tradescoach.co.nz/strategy-session-2/.