September 5, 2025

10 SEO Digital Marketing Tips to Launch Your Business

Podcast

Welcome to Growth Guidance with Kathleen Parisien—the podcast where we turn anxieties about business into opportunities for growth. Here, we dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, explore the power of trying new things, and focus on the process—not just the end result. This is your space for real conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve walked in your shoes and are now running successful businesses. Why? Because they took that leap of faith and decided to grow.

So, are you ready to take your next step? Let’s grow together!

Hello and welcome to the very first episode of Growth Guidance. I’m your host, Kathleen Parisien, and I am so excited to kick things off with a topic that is absolutely fundamental for any new entrepreneur. Today, we’re talking about the “Ten Digital Marketing Things You Must Do When Creating a New Business.”

As a local SEO marketing specialist, I’ve walked countless clients through these exact steps to build a brand that shines online. This isn’t just theory; this is the practical, step-by-step playbook I use. Whether you’re just starting to brainstorm or you’ve officially launched, these ten items will create a powerful foundation for your digital presence. So, grab a coffee, a notebook, and let’s dive in.

First up, step number one:

Choose a strategic business name.

This is more than just picking something that sounds good. From an SEO perspective, your business name is a golden opportunity. If you can, try to include a keyword that describes what you do or where you do it. For example, one of my clients runs a business called “Ottawa Event Planning.” It’s simple, it’s clear, and it contains a high-value keyword. Right from the start, this makes their website easier to rank on Google when people are searching for event planners in Ottawa. It gives you an immediate advantage.

Step number two:

Create a unique logo.

Your logo is the face of your business. It’s often the first visual element people will associate with your brand. You want it to be memorable and professional. This isn’t the place to cut corners by grabbing a generic icon. You’re building a brand, and your logo is a cornerstone of that identity. It should reflect your company’s personality and values. It’s one of the first and most important steps in establishing your visual brand.

Now for step three:

Start a website.

In today’s world, your website is your digital storefront. It’s non-negotiable. The great news is, it’s more accessible than ever. You can use user-friendly platforms like Wix or Squarespace to get a site up and running yourself. There are plenty of options out there, so there are no excuses.

However, if you have the budget, I strongly recommend investing in a professional website. As part of my services, I offer SEO web design. This means I build custom websites that are not just beautiful, but also strategically designed to be search engine friendly. They are packed with rich keywords and structured to rank high on Google from day one. A professional site is an investment that pays for itself in visibility and credibility.

Step four is a big one, especially for local businesses:

Start a free Google Business Profile.

This is one of the most powerful free tools at your disposal. A Google Business Profile allows you to show up in local search results and on Google Maps. When someone searches for “plumber near me” or “best coffee shop in [your city],” the businesses with optimized profiles are the ones that appear. It’s a direct line to organic traffic and a must-have for any business serving a specific geographic area.

On to step five:

Start your social media accounts.

You need to be where your customers are, and that means being on social media. Start with the platforms that make the most sense for your brand. Instagram and Facebook are great starting points for most businesses. Depending on your industry, you might also consider LinkedIn for B2B connections or even YouTube if video content is part of your strategy. The goal is to claim your space on these platforms and start building a community around your brand.

Which leads us perfectly into step six:

Start using Canva.

If you’re thinking, “How am I going to create all this content for social media?” Canva is your answer. It’s a fantastic graphic design tool with thousands of templates. It makes it incredibly easy to create professional-looking posts, stories, and graphics for all your social media accounts. You don’t need to be a designer to create beautiful, on-brand content. Canva empowers you to do it yourself.

Step seven is all about working smarter, not harder:

Use a scheduling tool for your social media posts.

Consistency is key on social media, but who has time to post manually every single day? This is where scheduling tools come in. I personally like Social Champ, but other great options include Hootsuite or Buffer. These tools allow you to schedule one post across multiple platforms. You can set aside just a few hours once a month to create your content in Canva and then schedule it all out. This saves you an incredible amount of time and ensures your profiles are always active. And don’t forget to schedule posts on your Google Business Profile, too! It keeps your listing fresh and relevant in Google’s eyes.

Step eight brings us back to your website:

Create your service pages.

Your homepage gives an overview, but your service pages are where you make the sale. You need dedicated pages that clearly explain what you offer. Each page should detail a specific service, outlining the benefits, the process, and why a customer should choose you. Be clear, be persuasive, and make it easy for potential clients to understand the value you provide.

Step nine is a core SEO strategy:

Write blog posts that target keywords.

How do you get your website to show up when people search on Google? You need to have the words they are searching for on your site. This is where a blog comes in. Effective SEO involves researching the keywords your target audience is using and then creating valuable content around those topics. Each blog post should target a new keyword or phrase. This not only drives organic traffic but also establishes you as an expert in your field.

And finally, we arrive at step number ten. It’s the simplest to say and often the hardest to do:

Be consistent.

I know that running a new business is hard. It can feel overwhelming. But building a brand and growing your online presence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of small, consistent actions taken over time. The more you post, the more you blog, the more you engage—the more you will grow. The effort you put in today will build the momentum you need for tomorrow.

So there you have it: Ten essential digital marketing steps for any new business.

Choose a name with an SEO keyword.
Create a unique logo.
Start a website.
Set up your Google Business Profile.
Get on social media.
Use Canva for design.
Use a scheduling tool for efficiency.
Build out your service pages.
Write keyword-focused blog posts.
And most importantly, be consistent.

I hope this gives you a clear roadmap to follow. Remember, it’s about taking one step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just start with number one.

Thank you for tuning into the first episode of Growth Guidance. It’s my mission to help you navigate the world of entrepreneurship with confidence. You have what it takes. Now it’s time to take that next step.

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