Please note that this article is unedited CHATGPT content.

It isn't content that we ourselves have generated.

It's to prove a principle.

If you're curious, here's the original article.

The prompt to ChatGPT:

I am a small business owner with limited technical skills. I would like to start doing some SEO work, with a view to getting more targeted visitors from Google. Give me a list of five things I can do to improve the amount of traffic from Google. But follow the following rules:

1 – the advice you give me has to be recommended by people within the SEO industry. People who are acknowledged by their peers to be thought leaders, reputable. reliable and honest.

2 – the advice has to be recognised and confirmed as relative in 20225, safe according to Google, with zero risk of penalty or negative action by Google.

3 – any piece of advice has to have solid proof that it actually works. I have limited time and resources, and so have no wish to waste time on tasks that have a very low chance of producing the results I want.

4 – the list of advice needs to be reasonably detailed. Remember that I am not particularly technical. Where possible, cite specific sources with direct links to the source or sources of information.

5 – when you have finished, I want you to run your suggestions through two different personas. The cynical business owner, and after that, the technical SEO. The cynical business owner will be looking for flaws. The technical SEO will be looking for bad advice, dangerous advice or pointless advice.

6 – after receiving feedback from both personas, create the list again taking into account their advice. But stick with all of my original requirements.

The response:

Here are five SEO tasks that are recommended by reputable SEO thought-leaders, are safe (i.e., conform with Google’s guidelines), and have strong evidence of effectiveness — especially suitable for a small business owner with limited technical skill. After the list, I’ll run through both the “cynical business owner” and “technical SEO” perspectives, and then we’ll refine the list accordingly.

✅ Five SEO Tasks to Boost Google Traffic

1. Ensure Your Site is Findable & Indexable

What to do:

  • Use Google Search Console and check that your site (and key pages) are being indexed by Google.

  • Make sure you have a sitemap (XML) submitted.

  • Ensure your site works on mobile (responsive design), uses HTTPS, and loads without major errors or blocking (robots.txt, noindex, etc.).

  • Remove or fix crawl-errors (404s, broken links) regularly.

Why it works & evidence:

Practical steps (non-technical friendly):

  • Sign up for Google Search Console (free).

  • In it, check Coverage to see how many pages are indexed vs errors.

  • In the Mobile-Usability report ensure no major errors.

  • Make sure your site uses HTTPS (check the padlock in browser).

  • Use a simple plugin (if using WordPress) or ask your website provider to ensure a sitemap is created and submitted.

  • Fix broken links: tools like “Broken Link Checker” (WordPress) or even a manual check once a month.

2. Create Content That Answers Real Questions Your Audience Has

What to do:

  • Identify 5-10 questions your ideal customers ask (via talk with customers, Googling, forums, etc.).

  • Create pages or blog posts that clearly answer those questions in an easy-to-understand way (for humans).

  • Make sure the content is genuinely useful, not just for search engines (avoid “thin” content).

  • Use a simple keyword phrase in the page title / headings (but don’t over-stuff keywords).

  • Link internally from other pages of your website to this content (so Google sees connections).

Why it works & evidence:

Practical steps:

  • Write a blog post answering a common question your customers ask (e.g., “How to choose … for small business”).

  • Keep the post readable (short paragraphs, headings, bullet points) and include the question in the title.

  • At the end of the post add “Other useful pages” linking to your related services or pages on your site (internal linking).

  • After publishing, share on your social media or email list to get initial visitors (which may help Google see it’s useful).

3. Build a Clean Internal Link Structure & Use Simple On-Page Optimisation

What to do:

  • On every page, make sure you have a descriptive title tag and meta-description (these often default from your website builder).

  • Use headings (H1, H2) to structure the content so that it’s readable.

  • From your homepage and main pages, link to your new content pages (internal links).

  • On content pages, link back to your services or products pages in context (so Google and users can navigate).

  • Ensure URLs are clear (e.g., /blog/how-to-choose-xyz) and not full of irrelevant symbols.

Why it works & evidence:

  • John Mueller says technical and structural quality matter; he has explicitly said there is no magic “200+ ranking factors spreadsheet“—rather the site structure and clarity help.

  • Internal linking helps Google understand relationships between pages and helps distribute authority within your site (this is a standard SEO principle).

  • On-page optimisation (titles, headings, clear URLs) remains part of best-practice and helps small business sites compete. Recent listing of ranking factors includes “site architecture / internal links” and “user experience signals”.

Practical steps:

  • Edit each major page: ensure the page title (what appears in browser tab) is clear and descriptive (e.g., “Your Company – Digital Strategy for Small Business”).

  • Make sure meta description (the snippet) is meaningful (“We help small businesses get found online via usability, UX, growth”).

  • On blog posts/pages: use one H1 (your title) and H2s (sub-headings) to break up text.

  • Add links: On your homepage link to “Blog” or key service pages; on blog posts add a link “Learn about our service” pointing to your product page.

  • Make sure your URLs are short and meaningful (avoid something like /page?id=1234). If your website tool allows, edit URLs accordingly.

4. Earn (And Manage) Quality Backlinks from Relevant Sites

What to do:

  • Reach out to industry-relevant websites or local business associations and ask whether they will link to your site (for example: guest posts, “resources for small business owners”, local chamber directory).

  • Focus on relevance over quantity: links from sites in your niche, or local business directories that are genuine, rather than many low-quality directories.

  • Monitor your link profile: check if you have many spammy links; disavow only if you absolutely must, but don’t over-worry.

  • Offer value: e.g., write a helpful article for another site or provide data/statistics your business has and ask for a citation.

Why it works & evidence:

Practical steps:

  • Make a list of 10 relevant sites (local business blogs, industry associations, guest-blog opportunities).

  • Draft a short email: “Hello [Name], I run [Business], we’ve found [insight/statistic] … I wondered if you’d be interested in an article or resource for your audience. I can send you something if you like.”

  • After publishing the article/link, record the link in a spreadsheet.

  • Once a quarter, in Google Search Console go to “Links” → “External links” and check if any suspicious domains are linking in; if so, evaluate if you need to disavow (rare for small business if you didn’t buy links).

5. Track & Improve Performance Using Simple Metrics + Iterate

What to do:

  • Use Google Analytics (or a simple analytics tool) and Google Search Console to track: how many searches your site appears in, click-through rate (CTR), which pages get traffic, which keywords.

  • Set a basic goal (e.g., “Increase organic sessions by 20% in 6 months”) and review monthly (or every 2 months).

  • Identify underperforming pages (high impressions, low clicks) and improve those (better titles, better meta descriptions, more useful content).

  • Periodically review competitor sites (what pages they have doing well) and adapt your content.

  • Stay up-to-date with SEO changes (industry blogs; see that there are no major “get-rich-quick” tricks—just consistent work).

Why it works & evidence:

  • SEO is not a “set and forget” fix. John Mueller emphasises the long-game: “SEO involves many processes, it takes constant effort” rather than quick tricks.

  • Tracking metrics allows you to use data rather than guesswork. Many industry case-studies show the difference between “monitor / iterate” vs “do it once and forget”.

  • It is safe and aligns with Google’s encouragement to use Search Console data and improve performance rather than use manipulative tactics.

Practical steps:

  • In Google Search Console, look under “Performance” → “Search results” to see queries, clicks, impressions, CTR.

  • Pick 2 pages from your site where impressions are high but clicks are low → improve the title and meta description to make it more compelling.

  • Use Google Analytics (or the analytics your website platform provides) to see which pages have high bounce rate or low time on page → consider improving those pages (clearer content, faster load, better headings).

  • Set a calendar reminder every 30-60 days to review these metrics and pick one page to improve.

???? Persona Feedback

Persona: Cynical Business Owner

Questioning & possible objections:

  1. “How do I know Google will send me more traffic just by doing this? Isn’t SEO unpredictable?”

    • Indeed, there are no 100% guarantees. Even John Mueller says “nobody can guarantee traffic”.

    • But by doing the foundational things (indexation, good content, links, tracking) you stack the odds in your favour rather than rely on rumours.

  2. “I don’t have time for all this – isn’t this still a big effort for limited return?”

    • True: SEO takes time. But the tasks suggested are incremental and manageable. You don’t need to do everything at once.

    • The alternative (doing nothing) likely means your competitors who are doing it will gain the advantage.

  3. “What if I do this and competitors are still doing shady tricks that beat me?”

  4. “Backlinks sound expensive / complicated. How will I get relevant links?”

    • True, it can be harder than it sounds. But for a small business you don’t need huge mass links; even local directories, industry associations or local PR can provide useful links.

    • Focus on quality (relevance) rather than mass link-building.

  5. “Tracking sounds technical. I’m not good with analytics.”

    • You can keep it simple: focus on few metrics (impressions, clicks, bounce rate). Many website platforms give simple dashboards.

    • Over time you will build feel for which pages perform.

Overall: The cynical business owner will accept that the advice is sensible, low-risk, but will emphasise the time and uncertainty (no guarantees) and ask for simpler implementation / cheaper.

Persona: Technical SEO

Critique from a more advanced perspective:

  1. “The advice is quite high-level; small business owners may need more specifics on how to technical-fix site speed, mobile issues, or structured data.”

    • True: the “ensure site is findable & indexable” points could include more about canonical tags, structured data, render-blocking JavaScript, etc.

    • For a non-technical owner, adding too many details might be overwhelming though.

  2. “Backlink advice is solid but lacks mention of internal link architecture best practices (silos, hub pages) or avoiding link-spam/disavow risks.”

    • Right: internal link structure could be deeper. Also the advice about monitoring links could include detection of unnatural link spikes.

    • Also could mention that in 2025 Google’s AI may weigh brand/mentions more (entity signals) than purely links – though still careful.

  3. “Content advice is OK, but in 2025 you also have to think about “search intent”, structured data (schema), featured snippets, and AI-driven search (zero-click).”

    • Yes: for advanced sites you’d include structured data markup (FAQ schema, how-to schema) and optimizing for featured snippets.

    • The suggestions here don’t highlight schema markup or advanced data-structuring.

  4. “Page experience & speed advice: yes, important – but you might over-emphasise speed if your niche is low competition. The actual ranking benefit might be indirect (via user experience).”

  5. “Tracking advice is valid, but true SEO also needs competitor analysis, SERP feature tracking, micro-data monitoring, log file analysis for crawling behaviour — though I recognise that’s beyond a small business owner’s scope.”

    • True: for a full SEO pro, tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, log-analysis are used. But for a small business simpler metrics may suffice.

So the technical SEO says: the advice is safe and good for a small business, but lacks some of the finer advanced details. Also they caution that some factors (links, speed) might not produce big jumps unless content and relevance are strong.

???? Refined List (Incorporating Feedback, Keeping Original Requirements)

Here is the revised list of five SEO tasks — retaining that they come from acknowledged SEO leaders, are safe and proven in 2025, and are described at a level appropriate for non-technical users — but with improvements to address the two persona critiques.

1. Make Sure Your Website is Accessible and Google Can Index It

What to do:

  • Set up and verify your site in Google Search Console (free).

  • Submit your XML sitemap and ensure no major crawl errors (in Search Console → Coverage).

  • Ensure your site uses HTTPS (secure), has a mobile-friendly design (responsive) and loads without major errors.

  • Basic check: use Google’s “Mobile-Friendly Test” and “PageSpeed Insights” to spot obvious issues.

  • Make sure there are no blocking tags (noindex) on pages you want indexed, no huge redirect chains, and the main site version is canonical (if you have multiple domains or subdomains).

Why:

Ease for non-technical:

  • Use your website builder or ask your hosting provider to enable HTTPS (often free via Let’s Encrypt).

  • Use the free tests above (Mobile-Friendly, PageSpeed Insights) and document the “issues found” in a simple spreadsheet. Then fix the easiest items (e.g., compress large images, remove unnecessary plugins).

  • In Search Console, set a calendar reminder every 2-3 months to check the Coverage report.

2. Create Content That Truly Helps Your Target Customers (And Optimise It Simply)

What to do:

  • Talk to your customers or imagine your ideal customer and list 5-10 questions they ask when seeking your products/services.

  • Create a new blog post or web page per question. Make it clear, readable, useful (think human reader).

  • Use one main keyword or phrase in the page title and headings — but don’t over-stuff.

  • On each page, ensure you have one H1 heading (the main title) and appropriate H2/H3 sub-headings.

  • At the end of the page, include a link to your main service/product page (internal link).

  • After publishing, share the content via your social media, email list, or local network to generate some traffic (which can help Google detect engagement).

Why:

Ease for non-technical:

  • Use your existing website builder’s blog function (most have).

  • Write the post in plain English, short paragraphs, include a few bullet points.

  • Use the built-in editor to set the page title and headings (H1, H2).

  • Use internal linking (e.g., “See our services here” button to your main offering).

  • After publishing, set a calendar reminder to promote it (share to social, email) within 24 hours.

3. Structure Your Site & On-Page Elements Clearly

What to do:

  • On all major pages (homepage, service pages, blog posts), ensure the page title (what appears in browser tab) is clear, descriptive and includes your brand + keyword (e.g., “Dave’s Digital Strategy Services – Small Business UK”).

  • Ensure the page has a meta-description (a short summary that appears in Google results) which invites users to click (“Learn how to …”).

  • Use a clean URL structure (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog/how-to-choose-digital-strategy, not yourdomain.com/index.php?id=123). If possible, edit URLs via your site builder.

  • Link internally: from your homepage link to your major service pages; from service pages link to relevant blog posts; from blog posts link back to service pages. This helps Google see how pages relate.

  • Use headings (H1 for title, H2s for sections) and keep paragraphs short (2-4 lines).

  • Avoid hidden content behind lots of tabs or requiring users to click many times to see the main answer (Google and John Mueller caution about this).

Why:

Ease for non-technical:

  • Go through your top 5 pages and manually edit their titles and meta-descriptions via your website builder.

  • Use the “permalink” or “URL slug” field to make the URL shorter and descriptive (only if your tool allows and you know what you’re doing; otherwise leave it).

  • Create a simple “site menu” (in your website builder) linking to blog, about, services.

  • In your blog posts, at the bottom add “Related pages” and link to one service page.

4. Earn Relevant, High-Quality Backlinks (Rather Than Just Many)

What to do:

  • Make a list of 5-10 sites relevant to your business/niche (local chamber of commerce, trade association, relevant bloggers, local news outlets).

  • Reach out with a friendly email: “We offer [your service], we have useful content/resource about [topic]. Would you be interested in linking/sharing it with your audience?”

  • Create link-worthy content (maybe one of your blog posts) that is useful to others and make it easy for them to link to it (e.g., “How small businesses in UK can choose digital strategy – free download”).

  • Periodically monitor links into your site (via Search Console → Links) to check if any suspicious mass-linking is happening — if you didn’t ask for those links, just keep an eye. If you bought links / used shady directories, you might need to disavow, but for a small business if you’re not doing that you’re safe.

  • Avoid “buying links” or participating in large link-exchange schemes — these can risk negative action by Google.

Why:

Ease for non-technical:

  • Keep your outreach simple: personalised email, mention how you can add value.

  • Make sure you record who you contacted, when, and the result (in simple spreadsheet).

  • Review your “External Links” list in Search Console every 3-4 months: if you see a domain that looks spammy and many links from it, make a note and consider if you should disavow (though somewhat rare).

  • Focus on 1-2 link opportunities per month rather than trying dozens; build gradually.

5. Measure Results, Improve What Works, Drop What Doesn’t

What to do:

  • Use Google Search Console (and Google Analytics if possible) to track:

    • Impressions (how many times your pages appear in search)

    • Click-through rate (CTR) from those impressions

    • Which pages get traffic, which keywords are bringing it.

  • Every 30-60 days, review: find one page with high impressions but low clicks → improve the title/meta description to make it more enticing for a user to click.

  • Find one page with traffic but high bounce rate / low time on page → update its content (improve headings, add visuals, make it more engaging).

  • Keep a simple spreadsheet: page name, last update date, traffic trend (up/down).

  • Over 6 months, compare your “organic sessions” (visitors from Google) month-to-month; aim for improvement — e.g., +10-20 % growth in 6 months is a realistic small business target.

  • Be aware of algorithm changes: follow trusted SEO-industry blogs (e.g., Search Engine Land, Moz) to stay updated.

Why:

  • SEO is an iterative process; generating traffic doesn’t happen overnight. John Mueller stresses the “long game”.

  • Using data ensures you focus on what works rather than guesswork.

  • Studies of ranking factors show that user experience signals (which you can measure via bounce rate/time-on-page) are increasingly important.

Ease for non-technical:

  • In Search Console → Performance: filter by “Queries” or “Pages” and export a simple CSV if you like, or just look at the chart.

  • Use the “Queries” tab to see keywords that show your site; pick one keyword where impressions are high but clicks are low → revise the page.

  • Set a monthly calendar reminder: “Review SEO metrics (15 mins)”.

  • Rather than aim for perfection, pick one small improvement each month (e.g., improve one title, fix one broken link, reach out to one additional backlink opportunity).

???? Final Thoughts

  • These five tasks cover findability, content relevance, site structure, authority building (links), and measurement/iteration.

  • They’re all backed by recognised voices (John Mueller at Google; Rand Fishkin in SEO industry) and align with 2025-safe practices.

  • None rely on risky tricks or “black-hat SEO”. They are sustainable.

  • They are feasible for a small business owner with limited technical skill — especially if you tackle them gradually (one per month or one per fortnight).

If you like, I can prioritise these tasks for you specifically (given your small business, limited tech skills and schedule constraints) and provide a 30-day sprint plan (week by week) to implement them. Would you like that?