DIY SEO for Small Businesses & Content Creators in 2025
written by
Victoria Kurichenko
posted on
March 14, 2025
I’ve finally gotten to create an in-depth DIY SEO guide after running and growing my website for several years.
Besides working on the clients’ SEO projects, I’ve tried to grow my website in my spare time. Fast forward, my website attracts over 10k+ visitors per month and generates four-figure revenue monthly (more about monetization in my monthly recaps).
Growing and monetizing my website has been a long journey. I didn’t have a mentor to guide me, so I had to figure things out myself—lots of trial and error before I learned what actually works in SEO.
Now, my website is my SEO playground. I test strategies, see what works, and use those insights to grow my site and help my clients succeed.
This page is a collection of all my past articles on DIY SEO. I’ll keep adding new ones as soon as they’re published.
If you’re a content creator looking to grow your blog with SEO, you’ll find tons of value here. Small businesses and startups can also benefit from my insights on SEO writing, niche keyword research, and optimization.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments!
How to DIY SEO
DIY SEO (do-it-yourself search engine optimization) is the process of optimizing a website for search engines without hiring an agency or consultant. Instead, you rely on self-education and hands-on execution.
It covers everything from keyword research and content creation to on-page tweaks, technical fixes, and link building. So, be ready to wear all possible marketing hats.
The timeline for DIY SEO varies widely. Some improvements can yield noticeable changes in a few weeks, while achieving significant organic growth often takes six months to a year or more.
In my experience, it can take up to two weeks for a new website to get indexed and appear on Google if no major technical issues exist. Nowadays, new pages on my blog get indexed almost instantly.
If you’re a content creator or site owner diving into DIY SEO optimization, expect a learning curve. It will take time to gain a solid understanding of how search engines work, which keywords can support your business goals, and how to create content that hits the Google front page. Over time, you’ll have more control over your site’s growth.
But keep in mind that Google’s algorithms change all the time and the competition gets bigger. In fact, Google released 8 algorithm updates in 2024, and I expect at least the same amount this year.
This means that what worked last year might not work today.
Luckily, I constantly share new strategies that work on my website and via my newsletter (I highly suggest joining if you haven’t done it yet).
I believe the beauty of DIY SEO marketing is that you can experiment, test different strategies, and build a system that works for your niche without relying on expensive agencies that do not always deliver results.
On the other side, it’s a long game, but if you stick with it, you’ll see higher rankings, more traffic, and steady growth—all without breaking the bank.
Below, you’ll find my exclusive case studies, guides, and strategies full of my insights from growing my website and helping my clients boost their organic presence.
No fluff, just actual strategies that work.
DIY SEO for a new website
I’ve talked a lot about SEO for new websites, especially blogs. Below, you’ll find everything you need to start and grow your site this year. I’ll keep adding to this list as I learn more, so stay tuned!
Happy reading!
DIY SEO software and tools
As an SEO specialist and a content creator, I’ve tried many tools to get my SEO job done. Even now, brands ask me to test their software and spread the word. But I only mention the ones that truly deliver value.
Below, you’ll find a few all-in-one SEO tools that you can use for DIY SEO.
- Semrush — A powerhouse with 55+ features to handle SEO, paid ads, social media, and content management. The free version is great for hobbyists, offering 10 searches a day. Small agencies and startups will benefit from Semrush Pro, which covers all things SEO and allows you to manage multiple domains. Normally, there’s a 7-day free trial, but since I’m a Semrush partner, my readers get an exclusive 14-day free trial!
- Search Atlas — A fresh, all-in-one SEO toolkit that’s a solid alternative to Ahrefs and Semrush. Its tools and interface feel pretty similar to those platforms, making it a great option if you’re looking for something new.
- Ubersuggest — A budget-friendly option for small content creators looking to grow their sites. It helps track performance, analyze keywords, monitor backlinks, and more without breaking the bank.
If you are looking for other types of tools, such as for content writing and technical SEO, I share my top picks on this page: best seo tools.
AI SEO trends you can’t afford to ignore
Remember the big news from October 28th, 2024? AI Overviews rolled out in over 180 countries.
I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was in the middle of an SEO project, digging for sources for a client’s article, when I noticed something different—Google had quietly launched AI Overviews in Canada.
My first thought? Wow, this changes everything.
But then, the questions hit me:
- How much will organic traffic drop?
- Will search habits shift overnight?
- Is running a website still worth it?
Google is clearly shaking things up, and AI is reshaping how we navigate the digital world.
As an SEO specialist and content writer, I’ve had my fair share of trial and error when it comes to using AI. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned and how content creators can navigate this AI shift without losing out.
I’ve also looked into the latest studies and expert insights on where AI and SEO are headed.
If you’re wondering what’s happening now and what’s coming next, I’ve got you covered.
DIY SEO helpful resources to learn
Besides sharing my know-how and step-by-step guides, I’ve also put together some of the best resources on DIY SEO (and more) to help you level up as an SEO, content creator, and marketer. And there’s more on the way—courses included!
How to do SEO on Medium
Did you know I write on Medium too? I’ve got 20k followers and over 350 stories under my belt!
I don’t just talk about writing on Medium and making money from it. I also share tips on SEO for Medium. Turns out that it’s a smart move for creators who want to benefit from Medium’s powerful domain authority.
Hello there!
My name is Victoria.
I am an SEO expert, Medium top writer, solopreneur, and the founder of Self Made Millennials. I help companies create optimized content and attract potential customers through organic search results. In addition, I share how content creators can monetize their writing skills.
Take a look at my solopreneur journey
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