You might have heard about search engine optimization (also known as SEO) if you’re considering building a blog, general website, or eCommerce store. It is one of the critical aspects of successfully growing online.
For example, if you look at the statistics, you will see that most of the website’s traffic comes from organic research. At the same time, the rest comes from planning and ensuring that your website has search engine optimization in place.
But on the other hand, only 30% of businesses have a plan in place for their website optimization. It’s because people have this misconception in their minds that search engine optimization is a tedious task to perform. However, that is not the case. If you’re aware of the basics, you can learn along the way and build a website according to SEO best practices.
Hence, if you are a business owner and anxious about the SEO of your business, do not worry. This article will discuss everything related to search optimization for beginners.
What is SEO?
Search engine optimization increases your website’s ranking and organic traffic in a search engine’s results. For example, if you have a candle business based in Maryland, US. Anyone in that particular area will search for a candle business by typing candle Maryland US.
And most customers are more likely to buy from a business that organically appears on the screen rather than a paid promotion.
Why Is SEO So Important?
Now that you know what search engine optimization is, let’s discuss why search engine optimization is vital before jumping into how to do it.
It Generates Organic Traffic
When you own a business, one of the many things that you’re worried about is how many people visit your website and avail of your services or buy your products. So, therefore, SEO does that for you.
With the help of search engine optimization, your website ranks higher and gets more organic traffic. And when more people stumble on your website, they will most likely buy something from you.
It Generates Consistent Traffic
When a paid promotion campaign is active for your business, the ads will only appear a couple of times on people’s screens. However, manage to rank your website on the first page of popular search engines like Google or Bing. Then, you will be more likely to get consistent traffic and customers for your business.
For example, if someone owns a perfume shop in Ohio – and with search engine optimization, they can rank their website on google. Anyone searching about perfumes in Ohio using Google will most likely see their business and click through to see the website.
And if the ranking is better. For example, the page appears in the first three results on Google. Almost everyone will click on these links.
It Improves User Experience
Back in the day, SEO for your website meant stuffing keywords in your content. But it wasn’t enjoyable for most people to read. Mostly, it felt like a headache. Imagine reading a 500 words article with 100 stuffed keywords. Finally, however, Google has taken this issue seriously. And after many updates, the new SEO best practices lean more toward user experience.
Therefore, when your website is SEO optimized, the users will have a better experience on your website than on, say, your competitor’s site.
And you guessed right; it will organically increase traffic on your website.
It Yields More Profit
When your website is optimized, the return on investment for your business is much higher. For example, the Tarakeet website reported that spending money on your website’s search engine optimization can result in a traffic increase of 429% for a business.
Even if you do not sell any product, it will generate more revenue when more people read your blog content. For example, if you are using Google ad sense. As more people read your content, you will be able to earn more money from your content.
SEO Guide For Businesses
Here is a step-by-step guide on search engine optimization.
Keyword Research
The first task for SEO for your website is to select the keywords you will use in your website content. Although you can use a keyword research tool to do the task, in the beginning, you should choose the keywords based on your intuition.
To help you get started with your keyword research, we have provided a FREE downloadable worksheet.
For example, if you have a candle business located in Oakland. Your keywords should sound like “candles in Oakland.”
Many people believe they have to use different keywords in the same content. However, if you stuff the keywords in your content, it will not sound organic. Other than that, Google will also pick up on the fact that you have loaded keywords in your content, resulting in a lower ranking in search results.
Therefore, pick three to four keywords on a single page and then take your content forward. Always remember that you must sound organic to your audience rather than a machine.
After that, you can use certain variations of your keywords. For example, if your main keyword is candles in Auckland. Then, you can use a variation like Auckland candles. The main reason is that people sometimes search on Google without thinking much about it.
For example, some people do not form proper sentences while typing their queries. But, if you have these keywords organically adjusted in your content, the Google algorithm will pick up on it.
Adjust Keywords In The Title
Another excellent SEO tip is to adjust the keyword in your title. For example, you can generate articles that include keywords for your website’s product or information pages.
In this way, you will attract audiences from your region researching candles. Ultimately, they will be compelled to buy something from your business. Therefore, you will earn by selling your product as well as monetizing your content on the website.
Use Keywords In The URL
Now, we have discussed the basics of SEO. Let’s move forward to some of the advanced steps. When uploading content on your website, use the keywords in the URL.
Therefore, it will be easier for Google to pick up on your content when searching for relevant websites, services, or articles. In simple terms, you are tricking the algorithm into choosing your content over other pieces, as your keyword will be available in the URL.
Include Keywords in The Meta Description
Recent updates make a meta description less important than it used to be. However, you must ensure that you have covered all of your bases. Therefore, include your keywords in the meta description. But make it brief.
Instead, when you can include the keywords, do so. If it is hard to adjust them, you can skip this step or ask your website developer or manager to help optimize the meta descriptions.
Add Keywords in H1 Headings
Besides the title of your content and meta description, Google’s algorithm also pays close attention to the H1 headings of your content.
Therefore, incorporate these keywords into your H1 heading. When Google searches for relevant keywords, it will pick up your website first.
Include Links From Other Websites
One of the most important aspects of SEO is to include links from other authoritative websites for your content.
For example, if you are writing about a specific disease, ensure you add links from websites that the government or other institutions authorize.
This way, people will be able to trust your content more. Besides that, Google’s algorithm will also prefer your content over other websites that do not have links.
And, if people are including your website for linking their content – It is a good sign that your website offers valuable content that people trust. Therefore, it also helps to build a community online.
Analyze Your Ranking
Suppose you have just optimized your content. Now you have to wait for a couple of weeks. After that, ensure that you keep checking the ranking of your website. You can use free search tools such as SEO Moz, Similar Web, or ahrefs.
First, you should organically search your website. For example, search for keywords you have used in your content. However, you can also check your contact with the help of Google page rank. This step will help you cover the gaps within your SEO to help rank your website better.
Final Words
Search engine optimization is crucial in ensuring that your content reaches your desired audience. SEO can seem intimidating at first. However, as you start to put in the effort, the results will motivate you to do more.
In this article, we have discussed several ways in which you can ensure that your content is search engine optimized. For example, start with relevant keyword research, then include it organically into your content. Once you are done with it, ensure that you monitor your website’s ranking from time to time.
Moreover, it would help if you also observed your competitor’s website to see what they are doing to rank their website. This will help your website or blog attract more monthly readers and eventually increase your business’s revenue.
