November 2025
Quick SEO fixes you can do in under an hour (on a budget)
Here are 5 quick SEO fixes you can tackle in under an hour (on any budget).
If you’ve ever dove headfirst into SEO (Search Engine Optimization), you know it can be ridiculously overwhelming.
Algorithms, backlinks, keywords, technical audits, on-page SEO, off-page SEO. It’s a lot.
And while many SEO strategies benefit from ongoing professional support, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you don’t have the budget for an agency or consultant right now.
Unfortunately, if you don’t have the budget, you also rarely have the time to learn SEO.
The good news is that small, intentional actions add up and even 60 minutes a week dedicated to quick SEO fixes can improve your site’s credibility and visibility over time.
None of these are overnight “hacks” or magic tricks, but they are practical steps you can take today to improve your website rankings in the future.
Here are 5 quick SEO fixes you can tackle in under an hour (on any budget).
Small, intentional actions add up and even 60 minutes a week dedicated to quick SEO fixes can improve your site’s credibility and visibility over time.
1. Check for broken links
Time commitment: ~30 minutes (depending on site size)
Broken links are frustrating as all heck for website visitors, but aside from reputational damage, they also send negative signals to search engines.
Basically, a site riddled with dead ends that lead to 404 error pages (no matter how cute those error pages may be designed or how clever the copy is) looks poorly maintained, can hurt your credibility, and decrease your rankings.
→ Use a free tool like Broken Link Checker, or simply click each link on your site manually
→ Remove or update any broken links you find so your visitors always land where they expect.
2. Create (or update) your Google Business Profile
Time commitment: 20-30 minutes
I see this step being skipped by small business owners all the time, but a Google Business Profile makes your business show up in local searches and on Google Maps.
This is great even if you don’t have a physical brick and mortar storefront to attract customers to, as many people want to do business with local service providers.
Plus, it’s free visibility that helps you build trust, and allows potential customers/clients to contact you more easily.
→ Claim your profile if you haven’t already
→ Add accurate business hours, phone number, and website details
→ Upload a high-quality cover photo (Pro tip: a real photo of your space, team, or product works best)
None of these are overnight “hacks” or magic tricks, but they are practical steps you can take today to improve your website rankings in the future.
3. Add alt text to images
Time commitment: ~30 minutes (depending on number of images
Alt text often gets ignored, but it’s a great way to help Google understand what’s in your images and improve both SEO and accessibility at the same time.
Without alt text, search engines and visibly impaired website visitors miss out on important context.
→ Start with your homepage and top-performing pages
→ Replace vague labels (like the standard “image1.jpg”) with clear, descriptive text. (eg. “woman walking in forest with notebook”)
4. Update an old blog post
Time commitment: ~1 hour
Search engines – and your site visitors – love fresh, relevant content.
Updating older posts shows Google your site is active and helps readers get the most up-to-date information (which often helps them decide whether you’re someone they can trust to buy from!).
→ Choose one old blog post (I like to look for ones that got a lot of past traffic, or that people commented on)
→ Add 1-2 new tips, update statistics and dates, or swap in fresh images
→ Double-check that your URL, title, and headings all reflect the topic clearly
Without alt text, search engines and visibly impaired website visitors miss out on important context.
Bonus: Off-page SEO (Update your social profiles)
Time commitment: 30-45 minutes
Smart SEO strategies extend off your website.
Consistent branding and links across social channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, Threads, etc) help build trust and send credibility signals back to Google.
→ Make sure your business name, website URL, and descriptions are consistent across all profiles
→ If you’ve recently updated your services or branding, bring your social bios up to date and swap out old branded images/banners for the current ones
The big SEO picture
SEO doesn’t always have to be complicated or expensive to be effective. Small steps add up to big action especially when it comes to fixing broken links or refreshing old content.
While every suggestion above sounds simple enough, when you stack them all together, they work to strengthen your online presence for search engines and your audience.
Think of it as compound interest:
One hour here, another hour there, and soon you’ll be able to see a measurable difference in your rankings and visibility.
The next time SEO feels overwhelming, start with a bite-sized action and remember that doing something is always better than nothing.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch your efforts pay off.
And if this all still seems like a lot, get in touch for SEO help.