By Tanya Ganian · · 3 min readYour website needs SEO if customers can't find it when they search for your services. The quickest test: search Google the way a customer would, like "plumber Montreal" or "accountant near me". If competitors appear and you don't, or people only find you by typing your business name, SEO can help. Google Search Console, a free tool, confirms it with real data.
Check 1: Search for your own services
Short answer: open Google in a private window and search the way a potential customer would. For example:
- Plumber in Montreal
- Accountant near me
- Landscaping services Laval
- Wedding photographer Montreal
Do you appear on the first page? On Google Maps? If competitors consistently show up and your business doesn't, SEO can help.
Check 2: Look for the warning signs
Your website likely needs SEO if:
- People only find you when they search your business name
- Your pages don't appear for the services you offer
- Competitors show up more often than you
- Your site gets very few visitors from Google
- Important pages aren't indexed (run
site:yourdomain.comon Google) - Your content doesn't clearly explain what you offer, or where
Check 3: Look at Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool that shows how your site performs in Google's results. It tells you:
- What people searched before finding your site
- How often your pages appear (impressions)
- How many people click
- Which pages get search traffic
- Whether Google reports indexing problems
If impressions are low for the services you sell, Google doesn't see your pages as relevant yet. Our guide to why a business isn't showing up on Google walks through the usual causes.
What about AI search?
Ask ChatGPT or Gemini to recommend a business like yours in your city. If you're not mentioned, the same work that helps SEO, plus clear answers and consistent listings, helps you get named. See AEO / AI search.
The bottom line
If your business depends on people discovering your services online, SEO deserves attention. You don't need to become an expert, but you do need to know whether your website is visible to potential customers.
Want a clear answer? Our free audit runs these checks for you and shows what to fix first. Or learn what SEO actually does for a site.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my website is optimized for SEO?
Check whether you appear for your main services in Google, whether Search Console shows impressions for those searches, and whether each service has its own clear page with a descriptive title.
Is Google Search Console free?
Yes. It's free from Google and shows the searches that lead to your site, your average position, clicks and any indexing problems.
Do I need SEO if I get customers from referrals?
Referrals are great, but many referred customers still search your name or service online before calling. SEO makes sure they find you, and adds new customers who don't know you yet.