SEO
The Complete SEO Guide for Small Businesses (2026)
Everything a small business owner needs to know about SEO in 2026. Real strategies, honest timelines, and actual results from businesses like yours.
Founder & Lead Strategist
Kristian Kreaktive
Digital marketing strategist with over 17 years of experience helping small businesses grow their online presence.
Fluent in 5 languages. Graduate of the Istituto Europeo di Design. Currently based in Bilbao, London, Berlin, Milano, Rome, Amsterdam, Reykjavík, Akureyri, Stockholm, Madrid, Barcelona, Los Angeles, San Diego, Reykjavík Again, Colorado Springs. Full-stack developer. Expert in:
17+
Years Experience
300+
Clients Served
40+
Websites Designed
5
Languages Spoken
The Backstory
How I Got Here
I started building websites in the early 2000s, back when table layouts and Flash intros were the norm. What began as a curiosity turned into a career that has taken me across Europe and eventually to the United States.
I studied Visual Communication at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Madrid. After graduating, I launched KREAKTIVE, a creative studio in Bilbao, Spain, working with local businesses and startups who needed to get online and compete.
In 2019, I moved to Colorado. The transition from European markets to U.S. small business markets was eye-opening. The needs were the same (get found, get leads, grow), but the competition and the tools had changed completely.
Why Small Business
I've worked with companies of all sizes, but small businesses are where I do my best work. There's no red tape, no committee approvals, no six-month timelines for a homepage change.
When you work with a small business owner, decisions happen fast. You can see the impact of your work within weeks, not quarters. And the stakes are real: this isn't a side project for a Fortune 500 company. This is someone's livelihood.
That directness and urgency is what keeps me motivated. I like knowing that the work I do today is the reason someone's phone rings tomorrow.
Why Colorado Springs
After years of bouncing between European cities, I wanted a place that felt like a real home base. Colorado Springs checked every box: a growing business community, access to outdoor everything, and enough distance from the Denver tech bubble to keep things grounded.
I work with clients all over the country, but this is where I choose to live and build. The local business scene here is competitive but collaborative, and I like being part of that.
What I Believe
Direct Access Matters
You work with me directly. Not an account manager. Not a junior staffer. When you call, I pick up.
Results Over Reports
I measure success differently: Is your business growing? Are you getting calls? I'd rather show you a graph of leads than a 40-page PDF.
Earn My Keep
Month-to-month from day one. Cancel anytime. If I'm not delivering value, you should be able to leave.
What I'm Not
Not an Agency with Layers
It's me. Sometimes I bring in specialists, but you're always working with the person who makes the decisions.
Not the Cheapest Option
If you want $300/month SEO, I'm not your guy. I charge what it costs to do this right.
Not a Miracle Worker
SEO takes time. Building AI visibility takes time. I won't promise overnight results because that's not how any of this works.
Not Going to Oversell You
If you don't need something, I'll tell you. I'd rather have clients who trust me than clients who pay for things they don't need.
My Bookshelf
Books that shaped my approach to digital marketing, SEO, and business strategy.
Entrepreneurship(1)
Business Strategy(1)
Branding(1)
Articles by Kristian Kreaktive
Insights, guides, and strategies to help your business grow online.
Book Reviews
Book Review
The Personal MBA Review: The Business Education I Actually Used to Build a #1 Agency
Josh Kaufman's The Personal MBA gave me the business operating system I didn't know I was missing. As a designer-turned-agency-owner, this book filled every blind spot.
Local SEO
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Step-by-step guide to optimizing your Google Business Profile for better local search visibility. Learn NAP consistency, categories, reviews, and posting strategies from 15+ years of local SEO experience.
SEO
How to Build a Local SEO Strategy That Actually Works in 2026
A comprehensive guide to local SEO in 2026, covering Google Business Profile optimization, citation building, review management, and the tactics that actually move rankings for small businesses.
Book Reviews
Book Review
They Ask You Answer Review: The Content Strategy That Builds Trust and Drives Sales
Marcus Sheridan's They Ask You Answer is the definitive guide to inbound marketing done right. Here's how radical transparency became my secret weapon.
Book Reviews
Book Review
$100M Offers Review: Why Your Offer is More Important Than Your Marketing
Alex Hormozi's $100M Offers changed how I think about pricing, packaging, and positioning. This book is mandatory reading for anyone selling services.
Book Reviews
Book Review
Building a StoryBrand Review: The Framework Behind Every Message I Write
Donald Miller's StoryBrand framework fundamentally changed how I approach client messaging. Here's why every business owner should read it.
SEO
SEO vs PPC – How to Choose the Right Strategy for Your Small Business Marketing
Should you invest in SEO or PPC for your small business? This comprehensive guide breaks down both strategies, their costs, benefits, and when to use each.
Guides
The Complete Guide (with Resources) to Local SEO for Small Businesses in 2025
Master local SEO with this complete guide for small businesses. Learn strategies to rank #1 in Google Maps, earn more reviews, and increase traffic by 150%.
Guides
SEO Guide: Google's 2025 Quality Guidelines Explained for Business Owners
Learn how Google's E-E-A-T quality guidelines actually work and how to use them to outrank competitors in local search results.
Website Design
10 Website Design Mistakes Killing Your SEO (2025)
Discover the most common website design mistakes that hurt your SEO rankings and learn how to fix them for better traffic and conversions.
Ready to Grow Your Business?
Let's discuss how I can help you achieve your digital marketing goals.