Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website so it ranks
higher in organic (unpaid) search results — making it easier for people to find your
pages when they search.
The three pillars
- On-page SEO — content, titles, headings, meta tags, internal links.
- Technical SEO — site speed, mobile-friendliness, indexing, structured data.
- Off-page / Link building — other sites linking to you, mentions, authority signals.
- On-Page SEO
Optimizing elements directly on your site:
Content quality: well-researched, relevant, and useful to the audience.
Keywords: choosing the right search terms and using them naturally.
Title tags & meta descriptions: help search engines understand and display your
page.
Headings (H1, H2, etc.): organize content and highlight important points.
URL structure: short, descriptive, and keyword-friendly.
Internal linking: connect pages within your site to help search engines and users
navigate.
Image optimization: descriptive alt text, compressed size, correct formats. - Technical SEO
Improving the backend structure so search engines can access and index your site easily:
Site speed: faster load times improve ranking and user experience.
Mobile-friendliness: responsive design for all devices.
HTTPS: secure connection using SSL certificates.
XML sitemap: helps search engines discover all your pages.
Robots.txt: tells search engines which pages to crawl or skip.
Fixing errors: broken links, duplicate content, missing tags.
Structured data (schema): extra code to help search engines understand your content
better. - Off-Page SEO
Actions taken outside your website to improve authority:
Backlinks: other reputable websites linking to your site.
Brand mentions: references to your business online.
Social signals: engagement on social media platforms (indirect impact).
Guest posting: writing for other sites to get exposure and links.
Step-by-step notes (do these in order)
1) Set clear goals & measure baseline
Decide what ―success‖ looks like (organic traffic, leads, sales, local calls).
Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console right away to collect data.
(Link your site and verify ownership.)
2) Run a basic site audit (quick wins)
Check index ability (can search engines crawl your site?).
Look for major errors: 4xx/5xx pages, slow pages, no HTTPS, huge images.
Tools: free site audit in Search Console, Screaming Frog (crawler), or an SEO tool
(Ahrefs/SEMrush).
3) Keyword research (what people search for)
Find relevant keywords (intent matters: informational vs transactional).
Pick 3–10 target keywords to start per landing page or topic cluster.
Tools: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, Moz, or free SERP checks. Aim for a mix of
high-value and long-tail terms.
4) Competitor & SERP analysis
Search your target keywords and study top-ranking pages: content length, structure,
keywords used, backlinks.
Note what ―search intent‖ those top pages satisfy (how you should solve user needs).
5) On-page optimization (apply to each page)
Title tag: primary keyword near the front, keep it ~50–60 chars.
Meta description: compelling summary to improve CTR (~120–155 chars).
H1 / headings: include primary keyword naturally.
Body content: cover the topic thoroughly, use subheads, and include related keywords
and examples.
URLs: short, readable, include keyword if it’s natural.
Images: add descriptive alt text and compress for speed.
Internal links: link related pages to pass authority and help navigation.
6) Technical SEO (ensure crawl ability & performance)
Use HTTPS, mobile-friendly design, and a fast host; measure speed (Core Web
Vitals).
Submit an XML sitemap and check robots.txt.
Fix duplicate content / cannibalize pages.
Add structured data (schema) for rich results where relevant (products, recipes,
events).
7) Content strategy (publishes and improve)
Create content that answers user intent better than competitors — depth, clarity,
visuals.
Use a mix: evergreen pillar pages + regular blog/posts + update old posts.
Optimize for featured snippets and people-also-ask where appropriate.
8) Link building & authority
Earn links by creating great content, outreach, guest posts, partnerships, and PR.
Prioritize quality over quantity — one relevant high-authority link beats many low
quality ones.
9) Local SEO (if you’re a local business)
Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile (accurate NAP: name, address,
phone).
Encourage & reply to reviews, add photos, and keep hours/attributes updated.
10) Track, test, repeat
Weekly: check Search Console for errors and top queries; monitor traffic in Analytics.
Monthly: update older content, run a crawl, fix broken links, and review keyword
performance.
Quarterly: do a deeper audit, competitor review, and adjust strategy. Use the data to
prioritize the next actions.
Tools (useful starting set)
Free / essential: Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Business Profile
(local)
Paid / powerful: Ahrefs, SEMrush, (for keyword data, backlink research, audits).