Search engines are actual question answering machines. I wish I had a running tally of how many times someone told me or I told someone to simply “google it.” After all, the average internet user makes 3 to 4 internet searches per day. Add all the google users up and that brings us to a whopping 7 billion searches a day.
That being said, there is obviously a lot of information out there waiting to be found. If you have a website, you might be overwhelmed about how to get your webpage to the top. It’s time to show SEO who’s boss. (You, you’re the boss.)
So, what is SEO anyway?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” Simply put, it’s the process of increasing the quality and quantity of website traffic. These searches can be considered “organic,” or non-paid search engine results that rank high on the list.
Yes, the search engine itself is important but the person searching is what we want to understand best. What are they searching for? What words are they using? What content do they like to consume? If you know the answers to these questions and you apply them to what you offer, the person searching will find you.
How do I know if a search result is organic?
Remember, organic results are not paid for, meaning they are not advertisements the search engine is making money from. “SERPs” or search engine result pages are loaded with inorganic and organic content. These now come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. Common SERP features include carousels, ask boxes or recommended links.
Exercise: Search for “pizza in Los Angeles (or any city).” Decipher which results are organic or advertisements.
Why should I care about SEO?
Types of SEO
- Headings
- Meta tags
- Key Words (click here to find out more on picking keywords)
- Content
- Image optimization
- Size
- Speed
- URL structure
- Email blasts
- Blog posts
- Social media
- Valuable content people want to share
Track Your Success
So, you’ve made some changes to better your SEO game. It’s time to see if your efforts are paying off. Google Analytics will help you track your organic traffic and Google Serch Console will help track your ranking, impressions, and keyword clicks.
SEO takes practice and patience. Ranking number one will not happen overnight so don’t get discouraged when you aren’t seeing quick results. Focus on the details to make your page stand out from the rest and gain authority. SEO is everchanging. Keep an eye on it and adjust when you need to. Your efforts will pay off and your business will grow!
Sources:
