As a new website owner, you may have heard of search engine optimization (SEO) and how it can help your website rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). But, where do you start? In this post, we'll cover eight SEO basics that every new website owner should know.
Keyword research: Start by identifying the keywords and phrases your target audience uses to find your products or services. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to discover keywords with high search volumes and low competition.
On-page optimization: Ensure your website's pages have a clear hierarchy with header tags, include relevant keywords in page titles, meta descriptions, and content, and optimize images with descriptive file names and alt tags.
Site structure: Ensure your website has a clear structure with easy-to-use navigation, a sitemap, and internal links to help search engines crawl and index your pages effectively.
Mobile-friendly: With more than half of all internet traffic coming from mobile devices, it's essential to have a mobile-friendly website that loads quickly and is easy to navigate on a small screen.
Page speed: Website speed is a critical ranking factor, so optimize your site's load times by compressing images, minimizing code, and leveraging caching.
Content quality: Your website's content should be high-quality, original, and provide value to your audience. Aim for longer-form content with relevant keywords, and ensure it's easy to read and formatted correctly.
Link building: Earn backlinks from other high-quality websites to increase your website's authority and visibility in search results. Focus on creating valuable content that others will want to link to and consider guest posting on relevant blogs to earn backlinks.
Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website's traffic, monitor keyword performance, and identify areas for improvement.
By mastering these SEO basics, you'll be on your way to a website that ranks higher in search engine results and attracts more organic traffic. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, so be patient, and continually refine your strategy to achieve long-term success.