If you are a startup founder or small business owner in Nigeria (or anywhere in the world) and don’t have a technical background, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) may sound confusing. The good news is—you don’t need to be a tech expert to understand and apply SEO.

In this post, we’ll break SEO down into simple, non-technical steps so you can grow your online presence, attract customers, and compete with bigger businesses.

Why SEO Matters for Non-Technical Founders

  • It brings free traffic from Google (instead of paying for ads).
  • It builds trust and credibility with your audience.
  • It helps your business get found by people searching for what you offer.

Example: If you run a fashion brand in Lagos and someone searches “affordable ready-to-wear outfits in Lagos”, SEO helps your business show up.

Step 1: Understand Keywords (Your Customers’ Language)

Keywords are simply the words or phrases people type into Google.

What to do:

  • Use Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find keywords.
  • Focus on long-tail keywords like “best catering service in Abuja” instead of just “catering.”
  • Think like your customer: What would they type when searching for your product/service?

Step 2: Optimize Your Website (Without Coding)

You don’t need to touch code to make your site SEO-friendly.

Easy actions:

  • Write clear titles (e.g., “Affordable Real Estate Agency in Abuja | XYZ Homes”)
  • Add keywords in headings and meta descriptions
  • Use a mobile-friendly theme (most Nigerians browse with smartphones)
  • Improve loading speed with plugins like WP Rocket (for WordPress users)

Step 3: Create Helpful Content

Google loves websites that solve people’s problems.

Content ideas:

  • Blog posts (e.g., “5 Tips for Saving Money as a Small Business in Nigeria”)
  • FAQs (answer common customer questions)
  • Case studies or customer stories
  • Short videos explaining your product or service

Remember: Write for humans first, search engines second.

Step 4: Focus on Local SEO

If your business serves a specific location, local SEO is your best friend.

Do this:

  • Create a Google Business Profile (free). Add your address, phone number, and website.
  • Ask happy customers to leave Google reviews.
  • List your business in Nigerian directories like VConnect, Finelib, and Yellow Pages Nigeria.

This helps you show up when people search things like “tailor near me in Port Harcourt.”

Step 5: Build Relationships (Backlinks)

Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. They show Google your site is trustworthy.

Simple ways to get them:

  • Partner with bloggers or influencers in your industry
  • Guest post on Nigerian websites related to your niche
  • Share useful insights on LinkedIn or Medium with links back to your website

Step 6: Track and Improve

Don’t fly blind. Use tools (no coding required):

  • Google Analytics (to track visitors and traffic sources)
  • Google Search Console (to see which keywords you rank for)

These tools show what’s working and what needs improvement.

Conclusion

As a non-technical founder, you don’t need to learn coding or complicated SEO tricks. Focus on the basics:
– Use the right keywords
– Optimize your website
– Create valuable content
– Do local SEO
– Build backlinks
– Track your progress

With patience and consistency, your startup or business will start ranking on Google and attracting the right customers.