Long before we started Old Pal—or were even in marketing and advertising fields—our team started out as entrepreneurs. Like most small business owners with big ideas, we quickly realized that if you want to succeed online, SEO isn’t optional—it’s essential. So, we rolled up our sleeves, dug into the weeds, and learned SEO the hard way for our own businesses.
Through trial, error, and plenty of persistence, we saw the results. SEO worked, and it worked fast. When we started ranking higher on Google, we knew we were onto something. That’s when we began taking on clients, helping other businesses experience the same success.
Fast forward a few years and suddenly we have Old Pal, a marketing agency in Oklahoma City that’s passionate about helping businesses like yours get found on the world’s biggest search engine.
The digital landscape is always evolving, and SEO is no exception. Google’s algorithm updates have changed the game over the years, especially with how they prioritize content. Gone are the days when backlinks alone could guarantee high rankings. Today, the emphasis is on valuable, relevant content that answers people’s questions and offers real solutions.
Here’s what we’ve learned and what we recommend for any small business looking to rank higher on Google:
In the past, many businesses tried to rank for a wide range of broad keywords, thinking they’d get more traffic. While that approach might’ve worked years ago, now it’s all about focus. Instead of targeting a million random keywords, narrow your focus to 3-5 long-tail keywords. These are specific search phrases that are highly relevant to your business. Think of it like this: would you rather rank number one for a highly competitive and generic keyword like “marketing” or rank number one for a more specific term like “digital marketing agency in Oklahoma City”? Relevant keywords are the difference between being a needle in a haystack and being the first thing people see when they search.
Your website needs to be optimized from the inside out. Think of it like building a house—you can’t just focus on the paint job and call it a day. Foundational SEO includes things like:
These foundational elements make sure your website is set up to capture traffic and give Google a reason to trust you.
Posting regularly isn’t just good for keeping your audience engaged. It signals to Google that you’re active, knowledgeable, and reliable.
Google’s goal is to give people the best answers to their questions. So, if your website is providing high-quality, relevant content that addresses the problems your audience is searching for, you’re more likely to rank higher.
Look at it this way: when you post blogs consistently, your content begins to show up for more and more keywords. You build authority. Over time, you’ll become the go-to source for the answers people are searching for. It’s a long-term strategy, but it’s a strategy that works.
Backlinks used to be the secret sauce for SEO success, but things have changed. Google’s algorithms are smarter now, and they can spot spammy backlinks a mile away. If you’re relying on hundreds of cheap backlinks from low-quality websites, you’re better off investing that time and money elsewhere.
Instead, focus on quality backlinks from authoritative sources. This means getting your business mentioned in local Oklahoma City publications, partnering with respected vendors, and contributing to industry news. When you earn backlinks from trustworthy sites, your domain authority grows, and that will do wonders for your rankings.
Let’s get one thing straight: SEO isn’t a “quick fix” for getting your business in front of more people. It’s a long-term investment. But here’s the thing—once you start ranking organically and attracting traffic, the results start building on themselves. More visitors to your site lead to more leads, and more leads lead to more customers. That’s the beauty of SEO. It’s not just about getting a quick win—it’s about setting your business up for long-term success and sustainable growth.
Even better? SEO continues to work for you over time. As you build your online presence, you’re creating a sales channel that keeps bringing in customers day after day, month after month. That kind of organic traffic is the foundation of a thriving online business.
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. But when done right, it pays off. If you’re ready to put in the work, we’re here to help you every step of the way. At our SEO agency in Oklahoma City, we’ve been where you are. We’ve been in the trenches, learning SEO for ourselves and seeing firsthand how it can transform a business. Let’s talk about how Old Pal can help you do the same.
