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

  1. On-page SEO — content, titles, headings, meta tags, internal links.
  2. Technical SEO — site speed, mobile-friendliness, indexing, structured data.
  3. Off-page / Link building — other sites linking to you, mentions, authority signals.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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).

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