Do I Need SEO for My Small Business?
Yes. If your business serves customers in Melbourne or anywhere in Australia, SEO is the most cost-effective way to get found online. 78% of local searches in Australia happen on mobile, and businesses on page 1 of Google get 95% of all clicks.
Last Updated: February 2026
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of making your website appear higher in Google search results. When someone searches "plumber Melbourne" or "dentist near me," SEO determines which businesses appear first.
Why SEO Matters for Melbourne Small Businesses
- **78% of local searches** in Australia happen on mobile
- **46% of all Google searches** have local intent
- **28% of local searches** result in a purchase within 24 hours
- Businesses in the Google Map Pack get **42% of all clicks**
- **81% of Australians** research online before buying
What Does SEO Actually Cost?
| SEO Level | Monthly Cost (AUD) | What You Get |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------|
| DIY | $0-$50 | Google Business Profile, basic keywords |
| Basic | $350-$950 | Technical fixes, 1-3 pages/month, local citations |
| Professional | $1,000-$3,500 | Full strategy, content, backlinks, reporting |
| Aggressive | $3,500-$8,000 | Market domination, PR, advanced AI optimisation |
The 5 Most Important SEO Factors in 2026
1. Google Business Profile
This is free and the most impactful thing you can do. Claim your listing, add photos, get reviews, post updates weekly.
2. Google Reviews
Businesses with 20+ reviews rank significantly higher in the map pack. Ask every happy customer to leave a review.
3. Website Speed
Google penalises slow websites. Your site should load in under 2 seconds on mobile. Test at pagespeed.web.dev.
4. Local Keywords
Include your city and suburbs in page titles, headings, and content. "Plumber Melbourne" not just "Plumber."
5. Schema Markup
Structured data tells Google exactly what your business does. It is the most underused SEO tactic for small businesses.
SEO vs Google Ads
| Factor | SEO | Google Ads |
|--------|-----|------------|
| Cost | $350-$3,500/month | $500-$5,000/month |
| Time to results | 3-6 months | Immediate |
| Long-term value | Compounds over time | Stops when you stop paying |
| Click-through rate | 5-15% | 2-5% |
| Trust | Higher (organic) | Lower (ad label) |
Best approach: Start with Google Ads for immediate leads while building SEO for long-term growth.
When SEO is NOT Worth It
- Your business is temporary or seasonal
- You operate in a market with zero online search demand
- You cannot wait 3-6 months for results
- Your budget is under $350/month
How CoreWebHub Helps
Every website we build includes foundational SEO:
- Schema markup
- Core Web Vitals optimisation
- Local keyword targeting
- Google Business Profile guidance
- Sitemap and robots.txt
For businesses wanting to rank aggressively, we offer programmatic SEO that generates hundreds of location-specific pages.
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Want to rank higher on Google? Contact CoreWebHub for a free SEO consultation. Call 0432 405 388.
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