Want More Traffic to Your Website? Here's Why SEO Matters (and How to Start)

Tori McElwain
3 days ago
3 min read

If you’ve ever wondered why your website isn’t bringing in more students, pattern sales, or longarm bookings - even though you’ve poured your heart into it - you're not alone.

A lot of creative business owners assume that just having a website is enough. But if no one is finding it, it’s like hanging a “we’re open!” sign in the middle of the woods.

That’s where SEO comes in.

What Is SEO, Anyway?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization — but don’t let that scare you off.

At its core, SEO is simply about helping search engines (like Google) understand:

What your website is about
Who it’s for
Why it’s helpful

When your site is well-optimized, it becomes easier for your ideal customers — the ones looking for quilt patterns, classes, or longarm services — to find you organically, right when they need you.

Imagine someone Googles:“modern baby quilt pattern download” If your site shows up near the top of the results, guess what? That person is one click away from your shop.

SEO Isn’t Fast, But It Is Powerful

Unlike social media, where a post might disappear in a day, SEO builds over time. The work you do now can keep bringing people to your site months (or even years) from now.

Think of it like planting a garden. You won’t get blooms overnight, but give it attention and care and the results will grow.

Here’s what strong SEO can do for your creative business:

Bring in the right kind of traffic (people already looking for what you offer)
Reduce your need to constantly be on social media
Help your website become a true marketing tool - not just a placeholder

Why Most Creatives Struggle With SEO

The truth? Most of us weren’t taught how to use our websites as strategic tools.

We might upload a blog post or product, tweak a headline, or add a bunch of keywords we hope are right… but we’re mostly guessing.

That’s why I created the Creative’s SEO Clarity Report — to take the confusion out of search engine strategy and give you clear, doable steps based on your actual website.

Want a Hand with All This?

If SEO still feels like a mystery, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

The Creative’s SEO Clarity Report is here to help — no jargon, no overwhelm, just simple steps to make your website work better for you.

The Creative’s SEO Clarity Report is a supportive, down-to-earth tool built specifically for creatives like you. No tech headaches. No SEO speak. Just clarity.

There are three ways to get started:

Do-It-Yourself – Use my custom GPT tool and walkthroughs
Guided With Me – Get support + a live 1:1 session
Done-for-You – I do the full deep-dive and deliver a detailed report + strategy

Each option gives you a roadmap tailored to your business, so you know exactly what to do next to improve your visibility and grow your online presence, without guessing or Googling.