You are likely tuning in today because you are feeling overwhelmed with SEO… and who isn’t!?
The SEO world seems to change every two seconds. Now there is AI and a thousand new jargony terms you need to understand.
So we are here to bring some simplicity to the podcast today… Where the heck should you start when it comes to SEO?
We are breaking down EXACTLY where to start with SEO into 3 simple stages, starting with SEO foundations.
And yes — you might be shocked by how straightforward it really is. (That’s the freakin’ point!)
Key Takeaways:
- The only SEO foundations you need to know
- Creating content that ranks
- Building authority with search engines
#1 Foundation — Your SEO Foundation is step one.
Questions to ask yourself when it comes to SEO foundations:
- Can someone search your business name or offer and find you online?
- Do you have a homepage + clear service or product pages?
- Do you have analytics tracking, like Google Analytics + Search Console?
- Are you getting ANY organic search traffic or inquiries?
If you answered No to any of these questions, THIS is where you start.
SEO foundation work is NOT glamorous, but it’s critical to showing up online. You can’t grow if Google doesn’t know you exist.
If you outsourced SEO in the past but don’t understand what was done → you STILL start here. It’s your turn to learn SEO and make updates on your own.
This is why we created SEO On Tap—an easy DIY option to set your SEO foundations.
#2 Content
Questions to ask yourself…
Honestly, that’s the only question you have to ask here. Can people find you online outside of your core offerings?
Your home and service pages can only target so many keywords, and they’re probably very specific to what you do.
A blog can expand on those key terms and allow you to rank for more niche keywords that are still relevant to your services. They prove your expertise and solve real questions people are searching for answers to.
Before you freak out at another thing added to your plate, focus on consistency over perfection. One blog per month is enough to start.
If you don’t have a blog, here’s where you start…
Write down ONE question your audience has asked you before — make this your first blog. When you’re ready for more topic ideas, listen to episode #136.
Core Pages and Keywords vs. Blog Topic Ideas:
- Handmade jewelry: “Best gifts for new moms who don’t want flowers”
- Organic skincare for acne: “Why do I break out when I’m stressed?”
- Gluten-free bakery Minneapolis: “Easy gluten-free birthday ideas for kids”
- Therapist for anxiety: “Why does my heart race at night when I am supposed to be resting?”
- Virtual assistant for creatives: “How do I stop spending so much time on email?”
- Copywriter for launches: “How do I write an email that doesn’t sound salesy?”
The list can go on and on and on. Your audience is asking questions! Are you there to answer them online?
Whether they are asking these questions to Google, Duck Duck Go, ChatGPT, or Claude… your blog can still be the answer.
Every AI tool uses the internet to pull content, so as long as your blog shows up on the internet, it can be cited as the answer.
The idea that ChatGPT made blogs irrelevant is insane. They are more relevant now than ever before. People want conversations… blogs are exactly that!
And because SEO On Tap isn’t just about SEO foundations… Blogging is included, too. We talk about how to write blogs that actually rank and get you new business.
#3 Authority
Okay, so you have the SEO foundations down and a blog… Now what? You need authority and credibility.
Questions to Ask:
- What’s your domain authority compared to your competition? Use this free checker to find out.
- Are other people linking to your site?
- Are you sharing testimonials/case studies?
- Are you collaborating with or being featured by anyone?
- If you ask Google, “Is my business credible?” what pops up in that AI Overview?
Authority = trust → which Google and AI value BIG time. Trust could mean…
- Guest podcasting
- Local press
- Internal linking
- Case studies
- Testimonials
- Industry partnerships
This kind of trust grows over time, and the results compound.
Start With SEO Foundations and Grow From There
Here’s the deal… If you’re frustrated with SEO progress, you’re probably trying to jump ahead. Don’t worry about authority if you have no content. Don’t worry about content if you don’t have SEO foundations.
Start somewhere. Not everywhere.
That’s the beauty of SEO On Tap:
- It’s meant to grow with you over time… That’s why we give you lifetime access
- All three phases are included with so much more opportunity than what’s mentioned here.
- Short bite-sized lessons because overwhelm is real.
The doors are open to snag the course + amazing bonuses all for one price. The last day to join us is January 15th. Let’s start 2026 with no SEO stress, okay!?
FAQs About SEO Foundations
Absolutely, SEO is still worth it. Google prioritizes helpful, trustworthy, and human-first content. That means SEO is about solving real problems, answering real questions, and building long-term authority.
Yep! We created SEO on Tap to teach you everything you need to know about SEO, whether you’re using it to optimize your own website or offer it as a service.
For small businesses, SEO is even more valuable than for large companies. It’s all about being the best answer when the right person searches.
Tune in for even more SEO foundations advice!
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If you loved today’s episode of The Duo On Air Podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on your favorite platform and hit subscribe for those new episodes dropping every Monday — it helps more small business owners find us (and let’s be honest, that’s good SEO ).
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Abbey Oslin and Courtney Petersen are Minnesota-based marketing experts with over 20+ years of combined experience working with big brands. They are educators and co-founders of Duo Collective; a boutique organic marketing agency specializing in SEO, branding, and custom websites for women-led small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
Ready to grow your visibility and become unforgettable?
Learn more or work with our team here.
To inquire about being a guest on Duo On Air, please fill out this application form.
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