Using tried-and-tested SEO for small business
This was a hard lesson for me to learn, because you know, this is what I do for work.
What’s that saying about the shoemaker’s children not having any shoes to wear?
I launched a new copywriting website and brand in July 2022. However, the developer didn’t update all the SEO information I had provided along with my copy for the new site.
I only found this out when I was going through the site’s backend a few months later. So, I fixed it all up and thought nothing more of it, confident my website was fine.
I continued working merrily away, doing SEO and copywriting for other clients. In the two years since launch, my website began slipping into obscurity, and I didn’t notice because I was too busy with client work (sound familiar?).
In 2023, I noticed a sharp drop in organic traffic and keyword rankings for my website, rashidatayabali.com.au. Last year, my website disappeared entirely from Google.
No warning. No emails. Just… gone.
Traffic flatlined. Keyword rankings vanished. And inquiries? Crickets.
As an SEO copywriter, this experience made me determined to never ignore SEO for my small business again.
Instead of panicking, it also gave me the perfect opportunity to practice what I preach and prove that SEO still works when you understand the fundamentals and do the work.
Here’s exactly how I turned it around and what you can learn from it to improve your website’s visibility.
Spammy backlinks tanked my rankings
The first thing I did was to create a project for my website on Semrush, the tool I use for keyword research and monitoring client websites.
After carrying out an SEO website audit in Google Search Console, Google Analytics 4 and Semrush, the cause became clear: my site had been hit with a wave of malicious, spammy backlinks.
What’s a spammy backlink, and where does it come from? A spammy backlink is any URL that comes from a dodgy website such as a porn site, gambling or a low quality blog and points to your website.
The spammy backlinks came from online directories, and an actual domain pointing to my site called rashida.com, which made me go WTAF?
These toxic links signalled to Google that my site might not be trustworthy, and the algorithm responded by pushing me off Page 1 and into the SEO abyss where websites go to die.
At the same time, I noticed heavy spam traffic hitting my website, possibly bots too, trying to hack into my website and sign up for my lead magnet.
As a result:
- My organic traffic tanked
- My keyword rankings scrambled
- Client inquiries dried up
It was a confronting moment for me. But instead of panicking, I rolled up my sleeves and began to fix it using the same SEO strategies I deliver for clients.
I began an SEO clean-up
In November 2023, I began implementing a step-by-step plan to resuscitate my website and bring it back to Page 1 of Google.
1. Disavowed spammy backlinks
I started by identifying the bad links through Google Search Console and SEO tools. Then, I submitted a disavow file to Google — essentially telling it to ignore these low-quality links when assessing my site.
This is a vital step many businesses overlook. Toxic backlinks can drag down your authority, especially if you’re not actively monitoring your site’s health.
Like me, lesson learnt!
2. Built high-quality, relevant backlinks
I began building strategic backlinks from relevant, trustworthy sources through content sharing, guest posts, and digital PR. I answered requests on Sourcebottle for SEO experts and wrote a guest post for Mum’s Lounge (a website with high Domain Authority).
The goal wasn’t quantity, but quality — links from sites aligned with my niche and audience.
3. Optimised my website for User Intent
I revisited my keyword strategy and shifted focus to search intent — what real users are actually looking for when they search. I chose to rank for the words SEO copywriter, SEO website copywriting, and SEO content writing.
I decided to own it as I was getting constant requests for keyword research and SEO copywriting.
Instead of chasing high-volume keywords, I focused on:
- Long-tail, intent-driven keywords in my content
- Updating content to answer user questions
- Improving readability and clarity across key pages
4. Blogged consistently
Blogging is still one of the most powerful SEO tools, when done right. I began publishing regular, helpful content aligned with my ideal audience’s needs.
Each blog was:
- Optimised for SEO without being robotic
- Written to demonstrate expertise and provide value
- Shared across platforms to drive traffic and backlinks
5. Updated metadata and page copy
I rewrote title tags and meta descriptions to improve clarity and click-through rates. These small changes can make a huge difference in how your pages show up — and stand out — on search results pages.
Back on Page 1 of Google from the first week of May 2025
After months of consistent effort (November 2024 to April 2025), my website is now back on Page 1 of Google for my chosen keywords, and organic traffic is coming through again.
One recent copywriting lead said, “I found you on Google.” HIP HIP HOORAY!
That’s the power of SEO done right.
No hacks. No shortcuts. Just a solid SEO strategy executed with care to include technical SEO, backlink strategy, optimised content, brand building and keyword research.
My website ranking as of 7 May 2025 is in the screenshot below from Semrush.
My business is in position 5 for my chosen keyword (organically) and in position 3 for local search. I’ve also begun ranking for SEO copywriter near me (Transactional Intent).
Why this matters and why it sets me apart
Plenty of SEO copywriters know the lingo. They’ll talk about meta tags, backlinks, and blogging… but few can show you results.
Here’s what makes working with me different:
✅ I’ve been through the trenches myself
✅ I’ve fixed the very problems I help my clients solve
✅ I take a holistic, ROI-focused approach to SEO
✅ I combine strong copywriting with technical know-how
✅ I care deeply about your visibility and your conversions
If your website is invisible or underperforming, you don’t need more content. You need a strategic SEO copywriter who understands both search engines and human readers.
Want the same results for your website?
If your brand needs to boost visibility, attract ideal clients, and actually convert traffic into leads, I can help.
Send me an email to book an SEO website audit or copywriting project that gets real, trackable results. Or book a project briefing call HERE.
