originally posted on www.carnsight.com

How to get started with SEO 

If you have a website and want to increase its visibility on search engines like Google, understanding Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is necessary. SEO is the process of optimising your website to rank higher in search results, which leads to increased organic traffic. 

If you’re new to SEO, this mini guide will help you understand the basics and get you started on your SEO journey. 

How do search engines work? 

Search engines, such as Google, utilise algorithms to decide which web pages are displayed in search results. These algorithms take into account various factors, including relevance, site authority, and user experience. By optimising your website based on these key factors, you can increase your chances of ranking higher on Google. 

How and where to find the right keywords 

Keywords are the words and phrases that people enter search engines. Conducting keyword research allows you to understand what your target audience is searching for. Tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Semrush’s Magic Tool, and Ahrefs can help you identify relevant keywords that have high search volume and low competition.

On-page SEO 

On-page SEO refers to optimising individual web pages to rank better. Key aspects include: 

• Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Ensure your titles and descriptions are compelling and incorporate your target keyword. 

• Header Tags: Use appropriate headings to structure your content for readability. 

• URL Structure: Keep URLs short, descriptive, and keyword rich. 

• Content Quality: Produce high-quality, original content that provides value to your audience. 

• Image Optimisation: Use alt text and compress images to improve page speed. 

Technical SEO 

Technical SEO ensures your website is easy for search engines to crawl and index.  

Important aspects include: 

• Mobile friendliness: Ensure your site is responsive and works well on mobile devices. 

• Site speed: Improve loading times by optimizing images and using fast hosting. 

• Secure website: A secure site builds trust and improves rankings. 

• XML sitemap and robots.txt: Help search engines navigate and understand your site. 

Off-page SEO 

Off-page SEO focuses on building your site’s authority. The main strategy is link building, where you earn backlinks from reputable websites. Additional techniques include social media marketing and guest blogging. 

Monitor and improve 

SEO is an ongoing process. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your progress and make data-driven improvements. 

By following these SEO basics, you can improve your website’s visibility and drive more organic traffic. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your rankings grow! 

Would you like to learn more about SEO? Check out our discussion on keyword stuffing here!

About Carnsight Communications

At Carnsight Communications we create strategies and campaigns to showcase our clients’ brilliant work through PR, content and social media. We help them get noticed by the right audience, at the right time. We specialise in creative agency PR.