A lot of people think SEO is some kind of mystery or that there’s a single trick to ranking higher. The truth is, SEO comes down to steady work in a few key areas that actually make a difference. In this video, Keelie explains the four main buckets where your effort will pay off.
Key Takeaways
If you want the short version, focus and consistency matter most. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Instead, keep putting time into the areas that will move your site forward right now.
- Adding new content, like service pages, city pages, and blogs, gives Google more reasons to show your site in search results.
- Updating your existing pages helps improve what you already have. This includes adding keywords, speeding up your site, and fixing any issues.
- Backlinks are most effective when they show real business authority, especially through citations and trusted listings.
- Your Google Business Profile acts like a second website for your business, so it needs regular attention.
When you focus on all four buckets, SEO starts to feel more predictable and less like guesswork.
Bucket 1: Writing New Content
For local businesses, content is more than just blogging. Start by building out area served pages, city pages, and state pages. This helps you show up when people search for your services in the areas you want to reach.
Blogs are important, but only if they’re done right. Make sure your blogs are written from an expert perspective, reviewed by real people, and backed by credible sources. Both your readers and Google can spot low-quality content.
Bucket 2: On Page Optimizations
This bucket covers everything you do to improve your current website pages. Sometimes, it’s as simple as adding the right keywords and related phrases. Other times, you may need to expand your content so it fully answers what people are searching for.
On page work also means handling technical cleanups, improving page speed, fixing broken links, and resolving errors. Keelie also recommends using Google Search Console to find pages that lost traffic and update them to bring those visitors back.
Bucket 3: Backlinking
Many SEO companies focus only on backlinks, but we take a more practical approach. Most of our backlink work goes into citations and business listings that include your name, phone number, and a link to your site. This includes your Google Business Profile and other directories that show you’re a real business.
Links back to your website act like votes for your authority. Keelie also points out other natural backlink opportunities, like local sponsorships, charities, schools, podcasts, and local news features. The best links help build your authority and reinforce your location.
Bucket 4: Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is not something you set up once and forget. Keelie calls it a second website because it can show up directly in search for your main service. Even if you don’t have a public address, you can set it up as an area served business and keep your address hidden.
This bucket is important because it’s often the first thing customers see. Your photos, services, categories, posts, and basic info all influence whether someone clicks, calls, or moves on.
How We Choose What Bucket to Focus On Each Month
The best bucket to focus on depends on what your site needs most. If you have very few pages, start by building out service pages and core content, then add local pages. If your content is already strong, spend more time on on-page audits and improvements. If your site lacks authority, invest in citations and local link opportunities.
Want Help Deciding Where to Start
If SEO feels overwhelming, this framework can help simplify things. Our team at R5 Website Management can review your site, show you which bucket will give you the best results first, and build a plan to keep all four buckets working together. Reach out to learn more.
