What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It's the practice of making your website more attractive to search engines like Google. Good SEO means that when someone searches for products or services like yours, your website is more likely to appear near the top of the results.
Why is SEO Important?
High search rankings bring more potential customers to your website. It's a crucial way to get discovered without relying solely on paid ads.
Getting Started with SEO
Keyword Research:
- Understanding Intent: Figure out what phrases people search for when they're looking for your kind of products or services.
- Free Tools: Try Google Keyword Planner (https://ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/) and other tools like Ubersuggest (https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/) to get ideas.
- Think Like a Customer: What would you type into Google to find your business?
On-Page Optimization:
- Titles and Descriptions: Clear and concise title tags and meta descriptions on each page tell search engines what your content's about. Include target keywords naturally.
- Headings: Use clear headings (H1, H2, etc.) to structure your content. Include keywords where appropriate.
- Content: Write high-quality, informative content that uses your keywords in a natural, helpful way. Don't overdo it!
Technical SEO:
- Sitemaps: A sitemap is like a map of your website. Submit yours to Google Search Console to help them find all your pages (https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/sitemaps/build-sitemap).
- Mobile-Friendliness: Make sure your site works well on mobile phones. Google favors mobile-friendly sites.
- Page Speed: If your site loads slowly, users and search engines won't like it. Use tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights to (https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/) find improvement areas.
Submitting Your Website to Google
- Google Search Console: Create a free Google Search Console account (https://search.google.com/search-console/about). Add and verify your website to track performance and get alerts.
- Submitting Your Sitemap: In Search Console, under "Sitemaps" submit the URL of your sitemap.xml.
- Request Indexing: For new pages or major updates, use Search Console's URL Inspection Tool. Paste the URL and click "Request Indexing."
Remember:
- SEO is an ongoing process: Results take time. Keep creating great content and monitor your Search Console for insights.
- Quality is Key: Focus on user experience as much as search engines.
- Get Help: There are tons of free SEO resources online, and SEO consultants can offer deeper expertise if needed.
Let's get your business visible on Google!