Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a critical component of the digital marketing world. If you have a website or blog, you have to learn a thing or two about SEO.
However, this blog post is only a guide for beginners looking to learn the basics of SEO. It’s not an ultimate guide as the concept is too broad and complex to complete in an hour.
What is SEO?
Search engine optimization is the act of taking strategic steps so that the search engines recognize your website or page as the answer to what a user is searching for.
Say, for instance, you need a plumbing service. So you pick up your smartphone, go to Google or Bing, and type in “plumbing company near me Chicago.” Google brings you a list of plumbing companies’ websites, and you would notice that each of them is located near you. How does Google know? Why didn’t they bring up law firms of other plumbers thousands of miles away? Through search engine optimization!
Such companies have taken steps to enable the search engine to identify them accordingly.
Why is SEO Important?
SEO is essential for every business as it increases your website’s visibility. When a user finds your website on the search engine results page (SERP), they can click it and subsequently purchase what you offer. Therefore, SEO is a vital revenue-generating factor.
People are constantly asking questions about things related to your kind of business. For example, you may be a plumber. People search for information on how to fix their faucets, broken pipes, etc. You can create content around such queries. Through SEO, you enable Google to see that your content is the solution to their problem, and Google, therefore, displays your featured snippet on the SERP.
You’d also notice that there are often paid results identifiable by the “Ad” icon when you search. Those advertisers have to pay when a user clicks. But with SEO, your page appears organically, and you wouldn’t have to pay a dime.
SEO isn’t just about ranking high; it’s about building trust and establishing your brand as the go-to authority. In 2024, that’s the gold standard for online success (eClerx)
How to Rank Your Website Using SEO
Of course, many websites are offering the same thing as you. So how do you increase the chances of yours appearing on the first page amidst the stiff competition?
The aim of all search engines, including Google, is to satisfy its users. Hence, they have certain ranking factors their bots examine to determine whether your content is the best solution to their queries.
Keywords
To enable Google to know what your page is about, it has to contain the words users type when searching. For example, “Plumbing company Chicago,” or “how to repair a leaking faucet.” Your website or blog post should contain such words, especially the meta title. Strange words? It’s important to catch up on some basic SEO terminologies since you would be coming across them a lot as you learn more about Search Engine Optimization.
Keywords are essential when it comes to SEO; hence, you need to research what words your audience is using to make queries.
URL
Google bots crawl your page’s web address when a user searches. You have a better chance at a higher ranking if your URL contains those keywords.
Create relevant content
If you stuff keywords but the content has no relevance to the user, you have next to no chance of getting ranked. Only create what your audience will find helpful. As they click and stay engaged on your page, Google’s algorithm acknowledges the quality of your content and ranks it higher.
Consistency
The more you post relevant content on a particular niche, the more Google regards you as an authority in that field.
Site responsiveness
Search engines aim to satisfy their users. Therefore, your site should have a fast loading speed, ease of use, and compelling User Interface to create a great user experience.
Final Words
How search engines rank pages continue to change yearly. To ensure you’re on top of your game, always do your best to stay updated with the latest SEO ranking factors.
Finally, you should continuously optimize your page according to Google’s preference since it makes up the most of all search engine traffic. If your page ranks high on Google, it’s likely to rank on other search engines as well.
