You did it. You built a beautiful website for your business. You launched it, shared the link with your family, and… silence.
Days turn into weeks, and you have a sinking feeling. You type your business name into Google, and it’s nowhere to be found. You try searching for your products, like “best handbags in Lagos,” and your competitors show up, but you don’t.
It feels like you built a beautiful shop in the middle of a forest with no roads leading to it.
This is one of the most common frustrations we hear at iGrace Mediatech. The solution has a name: SEO.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In plain English, it’s the process of proving to Google that your website is the best, most relevant answer to a customer’s search.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started. Here is your beginner-friendly guide to building the “road” that leads Google—and your customers—right to your website.
Step 1: Officially Tell Google You Exist (Google Search Console)
First things first: you need to introduce yourself to Google. The best way to do this is with a free tool called Google Search Console (GSC).
Think of GSC as your direct communication line with Google. It’s where Google tells you if it’s having trouble “seeing” your site and where you can tell Google, “Hey, I’m new here, please check me out!”
Your Action:
- Go to Google Search Console and add your website.
- Find your sitemap (your web developer can give you this, or plugins like Yoast SEO on WordPress generate it for you) and submit it to GSC.
- A sitemap is just what it sounds like: a map of all the pages on your site, which makes it much easier for Google to find and “crawl” them.
Step 2: The “Must-Do” for Every Nigerian Business (Google Business Profile)
This is the single most important step for any business with a physical location or one that serves a specific area. It’s the secret to appearing in “near me” searches.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is the information box that appears on the right side of a Google search or on Google Maps.
It shows your:
- Business name
- Address (or service area)
- Phone number
- Opening hours
- Customer reviews
Your Action: Go to google.com/business and claim your free profile. Fill out every single detail. This is the fastest way to get “on the map” when a customer in your area searches for “buka near me” or “laptop repair in Abuja.”
Step 3: Learn Your Customer’s “Google Language” (Keywords)
You can’t be the “best answer” if you don’t know the “question.”
Keywords are simply the words and phrases your ideal customers are typing into Google. Your job is to figure out what those are.
Think like your customer.
- Are you a fashion designer? They probably aren’t searching for “bespoke couturier.” They are searching for “aso ebi styles in Lagos” or “affordable wedding reception dress.”
- Do you sell electronics? They might be searching for “price of Tecno phone in Nigeria” or “where to buy HP laptop in Port Harcourt.”
Your Action: Make a list of 5-10 of these “search phrases.” These are your keywords. You will use them in the next step.
Step 4: Put Your Keywords in the Right Places (On-Page SEO)
Now that you have your keywords, you need to place them on your website so Google can connect the dots. This is called “On-Page SEO.”
Don’t panic! You only need to focus on three simple places:
- Page Titles: This is the blue link that shows up in the Google search result. Your “Services” page title shouldn’t just be “Services.” It should be “Affordable Digital Marketing Services in Nigeria | iGrace Mediatech.”
- Headings (H1, H2): These are the big headlines on your page. Your main heading (H1) should include your primary keyword.
- Your Content: The actual paragraphs on your page. Write naturally, but make sure your keywords are included in a way that makes sense. If you’re writing about wedding dresses, you should naturally use the phrase “wedding dress.”
Step 5: Get Other Websites to “Vouch” for You (Backlinks)
This is the final (and most advanced) beginner step. Google wants to see that other people trust you. In the online world, a “vote of trust” is a link from another website to yours. This is called a backlink.
When a popular Nigerian blog reviews your product and links to your website, they are “vouching” for you. Google sees this and thinks, “Hmm, this website must be important.”
Your Action:
- Ask a blogger in your industry to review your product.
- Get your business listed in local online directories.
- Write a helpful article and share it with industry partners.
A Final Word: SEO is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
You will not be #1 on Google tomorrow. SEO is an investment. It’s about building trust with Google and your customers over time.
But by following these five steps, you have officially built the “road” to your shop. You’ve told Google you exist, you’re on the map, you’re speaking your customer’s language, and you’re building a reputation.
It might seem technical, but it’s just a series of logical steps. Be patient, be consistent, and watch your customers start to find you.
Feeling lost in the world of SEO?
We get it. Running your business is a full-time job. At iGrace Mediatech, we don’t just build websites; we build businesses. From hands-on SEO training that empowers you to do it yourself to full-service digital marketing that does it for you, we are here to help you get found.
Book a free SEO consultation with our team today and let’s get you on Google.
