Search Engine Optimization (or SEO for short!) is the practice of improving a website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) like Google and Microsoft’s Bing. Improving your SEO can help your business get more leads/sales and can help to show your business above your competitors in the search rankings. Here are some key concepts:
1. Keywords
- What are they? Keywords are words or phrases that people search for in search engines.
- Why are they important? They help search engines understand what your content is about and match it to relevant searches.
2. On-Page SEO
- What is it? Optimizing elements directly on your website’s pages.
- Key elements:
- Title tags: The main title of your page and is often displayed in search results.
- Meta descriptions: A brief summary of your page’s content, also shown in search results.
- Header tags (H1, H2, etc.): Used to structure your content and indicate importance.
- Image alt text: Descriptive text for images, helping search engines understand their content.
- URL structure: Clear and descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords.
3. Off-Page SEO
- What is it? Optimizing factors outside of your website.
- Key elements:
- Backlinks: Links pointing to your website from other websites.
- Social media: Sharing your content on social platforms.
- Local SEO: Optimizing your website for local search results.
4. Search Engine Algorithms
- What are they? Complex rules are used by search engines to rank websites.
- Why are they important? Understanding them helps you tailor your SEO strategy.
5. User Experience (UX)
- Why is it important? Search engines prioritize websites with good user experiences.
- Key factors:
- Mobile-friendliness: Ensuring your website is easy to use on mobile devices.
- Page speed: Fast loading times.
- Easy navigation: Clear and intuitive site structure.
Remember: SEO is an ongoing process. It’s important to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices.
