SEO Guide For Beginners

5 October 2020

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

In an era dominated by digital presence, SEO has emerged as the linchpin for online visibility and success. It’s not just a set of techniques; it’s a dynamic strategy that can either elevate your website to new heights or relegate it to obscurity. This comprehensive SEO guide for beginners aims to demystify SEO for newbies, providing insights and practical tips to establish a strong foundation.

Understanding SEO is akin to deciphering a language that search engines speak fluently. It involves strategic planning, meticulous execution, and continuous adaptation to the evolving digital landscape.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

SEO Guide For Beginners

Step 1: The Preliminary Work – Setting the Stage

Step 1.1: Visibility Settings

Before embarking on your SEO journey, it’s imperative to ensure that search engines can index your site. As the saying goes, “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.” This initial step sets the stage for the entire SEO process, making your site discoverable by search engines.

two signs pointing in opposing directions, each with the word 'choice' written on them, in front of a pair of windows with shutters.

Step 1.2: www or non-www?

The seemingly small decision of choosing between www and non-www versions can have a significant impact. Analysing search results helps determine which format resonates more with your audience, influencing your site’s visibility.

Step 1.3: SEO-Friendly Permalink Structure

The URL structure is not just a web address; it’s a roadmap for search engines. Opting for SEO-friendly URLs with full words and avoiding stop words ensures an optimised crawl, laying the groundwork for effective SEO.

Step 1.4: SEO-Friendly Theme

Your website’s theme goes beyond aesthetics; it influences performance and loading times, crucial factors for SEO. Prioritise responsive design for an enhanced user experience, impacting both rankings and user satisfaction.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

Close up of the top of the WordPress post creation screen, with the words 'Add New Post' clearly visible.Step 2: Content Creation – Crafting Excellence

Step 2.1: Research Popular Content

Creating great content starts with understanding your audience. Research industry trends, identify what resonates, and build your content foundation on proven concepts. This step ensures that your content addresses the needs and interests of your target audience.

Step 2.2: Research & Decide on Your Keyword

Keywords are the backbone of SEO. Thoroughly research and choose keywords that align with your content and resonate with your audience. The right keyword can significantly impact your content’s visibility in search results.

Step 2.3: Write Your Content

A woman sat at a desk in a modern office setting, typing on a laptop.

Crafting engaging content involves more than just conveying information. Infuse your chosen keywords strategically, and break up the text with subheadings for easy navigation. Well-structured content enhances user experience and contributes to better SEO performance.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

Step 3: Optimising Your Page – The Heart of SEO

Step 3.1: The Written Content

Finding the sweet spot for keyword density is crucial, but be cautious of overuse. Strategic placement of keywords is equally important, ensuring that search engines grasp the relevance of your content. Keyword density is not just a number; it’s about conveying meaning and relevance.

Step 3.2: The Images

Multimedia elements, such as images, are essential for breaking up large blocks of text. Optimise images with descriptive alt text, providing additional context. Alt text not only enhances SEO but also makes your content accessible to visually impaired users, contributing to a positive user experience.

Step 3.3: The ‘Snippet’

Crafting compelling snippets is an art that significantly influences click-through rates. The snippet serves as a preview of your content on search engine results pages. Optimise it strategically, as it can be a powerful tool for attracting users to your website.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

Step 4: Raise Awareness – Let the World Know

Step 4.1: Submit Your Sitemap

Submitting your sitemap is a proactive step in getting search engines to crawl and index your new content promptly. An updated sitemap ensures that search engines are aware of your latest offerings, contributing to faster and more accurate indexing.

Step 4.2: Post on Social Media

Social media serves as a dynamic platform for promoting your content. Strategic sharing, based on analytics data, ensures that your posts reach your audience during peak activity hours. Additionally, engaging with niche groups can amplify your content’s impact and contribute to backlinks.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance – Sustaining Success

Step 5.1: Stay on Top of the Algorithm

Search engines continually evolve their algorithms to enhance user experience and thwart manipulative tactics. Staying informed about these changes is vital for adapting your SEO strategy. Regular updates ensure that your optimisation efforts align with the latest algorithmic preferences.

Step 5.2: Use CMS with SEO-Friendly Plugins

Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress offer a plethora of plugins for enhancing SEO. Choose wisely based on your specific needs. Plugins streamline various SEO tasks, from on-page optimisation to image compression, contributing to sustained website health.

Step 5.3: Evaluation of Performance

Measuring the success of your SEO efforts requires predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Tools like Google Analytics provide valuable insights into visitor behaviour, allowing you to assess the impact of your strategies. Regular evaluation informs adjustments and refinements for continuous improvement.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

 

Screenshot of an analytics report, as used by SEO expert teams. Features a line graph above a pie chart and numbers.

FAQs: Unveiling Unanswered Queries

How often should I update my sitemap?

Regularly updating your sitemap is essential whenever new, well-optimised content is added. This practice ensures that search engines promptly crawl and index your latest offerings.

Is SEO only about keywords?

No, SEO encompasses various factors beyond keywords. Content structure, page speed, and user experience play crucial roles in a comprehensive SEO strategy.

Amazing SEO Guide For Beginners: Basic SEO Tips

Conclusion: Your SEO Journey Begins Here

As you embark on your SEO journey, remember that Seek Social is providing more than a SEO guide for beginners – we’re your partners in digital success. For personalised advice on SEO, local SEO, global SEO, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, e-commerce SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, web development, web design, graphic design and white label services, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Your digital evolution awaits – contact us at Seek Social and elevate your online presence today.


Written By SeekSocial