What is SEO? A Simple and Complete Guide to SEO for Beginners

You might have searched for something on Google and clicked one of the very top links you came across. That doesn’t happen by accident. All of this comes into play because of something called SEO. But then again, what is SEO? Let us simplify it to the utmost, so that even a 10-year-old gets it.

what is seo

What Does SEO Stand For?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s a heavy term but basically means:

-Search engine: like Yahoo, Bing, or Google. When you enter a term or phrase, they give you a list of websites.

– Optimization: Making things better.

Then, what is SEO? It’s the way of optimizing a website in order for it to rank higher in searches. If you want to learn more about the basics of SEO, check out Google’s SEO Starter Guide.

Why is SEO Important for Your Business?

Let’s put it this way: if you have a lemonade stand, if no one sees it, no one will buy lemonade.. If no one sees it, no one will buy lemonade. But if you post notices and inform people where to go, more people will come. SEO is like those notices. And when people ask what is SEO, this is the perfect example—it’s the way you get noticed online.

The more your website ranks on Google, the more people will click it. This will result in more customers, more readers, or more fans.

If you’re looking for help to boost your visibility, explore my digital marketing services.

“How Do Search Engines Work?”

SEO could never be comprehended unless one has a good idea about how search engines work like, for instances, Google.

Here is the simple way of putting it:

1. Crawling: Search engines employ bots (little robots) to crawl through all websites on the internet. They crawl on your site and look at what you have there.

2. Indexing: They keep the pages in a big library, known as an “index.”

3. Ranking: When you look for something, Google finds the best solutions from its list and ranks them. The best solutions appear first.

SEO makes your site one of the first results.

what is seo

What are keywords?

Keywords are words or phrases people search for, like “how to tie shoes” or “what is SEO.” To discover popular search terms, you can use Google Keyword Planner. This is where you have to put such stuff on your website. So, this helps Google figure out what your website is all about.

Keywords are the search terms like ‘how to tie shoes.’ For a blogger or business, knowing what people are searching for outside gives them a reason for putting that information on their website. This is where Google will know that your website talks about this.

When you search for “what is SEO,” Google finds pages that provide a straightforward explanation of the topic.  That’s why we’ve repeated the search term “what is SEO” here in this blog!

How does SEO work?

People often wonder what is SEO really made of. It’s not just one thing—it’s a mix of small steps working in harmony. Let’s consider the key components:

1. On-Page SEO

This refers to the things you can do on your website to have it ranked higher.

– The proper application of keywords such as “what is SEO”

– Producing valuable content that answers

– In plain language that anyone can comprehend

– Inserting images and links to make your page more useful

– Making your page easy to read

2. Off-Page SEO

This is what happens away from your site.

-Backlinks: When other websites link to yours, it tells Google that yours is a reliable one.

– Social media shares: If lots of people share your Facebook or Twitter page, that is a positive sign.

– Online reviews: Positive reviews make your business look good.

3. Technical SEO

This is the behind-the-scenes information.

– Is your website fast?

-Is it compatible with phones and tablets?

– Is HTTPS safe to use?

– Does your website get found and indexed by search engines?

All these cause your website to rank higher in search.

What is Good SEO?

Having good content is of the essence, as it should capture the needs of its users with relevance-even if the intention is to please!

That is why a website is SEO-friendly:

– Straightforward responses to questions such as “what is SEO”

– Pages load quickly

– No broken links

– Simple design

– Useful information

Google wants to assist people. If your website is good for people, Google will appreciate it.

Can you do SEO yourself?

Absolutely.

It’s not about being techie; it’s about picking up and understanding the bare basics in your comfort zone.

Start with these steps:

1. Observe others’ questions (utilize the Google search option or resources such as Ubersuggest).

2. Create content that responds to their questions.

3. Utilize your key word (such as “what is SEO”) several times but not more than a dozen.

4. Ensure that your website is user-friendly.

5. Share your content on social media.

Small changes over a period can significantly affect outcomes.

Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Now, let’s discuss a couple of things that will hurt your SEO:

– Keyword stuffing: Don’t say “what is SEO” 50 times on one page. Google doesn’t appreciate it.

– Plagiarized content: Always write in your own words. Don’t copy from other websites.

– Too much advertising: If your page feels like an ad, folks will bail.

– Slow sites: No one has time to wait for a page to load.

– Not phone-friendliness: Individuals use phones primarily. Ensure your website functions appropriately on them.

Steering clear of these problems will make your website healthy. Need help avoiding these errors? Get in touch — I’m happy to help.

SEO takes time.

Here’s one thing to remember: SEO is not magic.

You’re never going to be #1 on Google one day. It could take weeks or months before you see effects.. But if you keep at it, the reward is huge. You will receive more visitors without paying a single penny on ads.

Real-Life Example

Suppose you own a bakery in Kerala.

You would want others to see your site when they look for “Best cupcakes in Kerala.” So, you:

– Create a blog post on your cupcakes.

– Make use of the keyword “Best cupcakes in Kerala”

– Add pictures of your cupcakes.

– Encourage happy customers to write reviews.

– Share your blog on Instagram

That is how SEO is accomplished. Before long, individuals searching for cupcakes may discover you.

Tools That Help With SEO

Tools That Facilitate SEO

There are resources available to assist you learn more about SEO and optimise your site.. Some of them include:

– – Free Google Search Console lets you see how well your site is doing on Google.

– Yoast SEO (for WordPress users): Makes you create better pages.

– Ubersuggest: Gives suggestions for keywords

The best keyword research tool to find out what people are searching for is Google Keyword Planner.

Such tools do not perform SEO for you, yet they can assist you with finding the way to it. Testing

what is seo

Final Thoughts: So, What Is SEO?

So, returning to the point, what is SEO? SEO is basically making it easy for those on the internet to find your site, either on Google or any other similar search engines. It includes publishing resourceful content, using the right keywords, and lastly having your website indexed as well.

You don’t have to be too smart. You simply need to:

– Learn what people need

– Write concisely

– Be patient

When you do all that, your site will appear more often, which means more people will see you.

Need a hand? Visit my Best Freelance Digital Marketer in Kochi homepage

Main Points

– What is SEO? It’s how to get noticed by search engines for your site.

SEO lets you get found online without paying to advertise.

– You can improve your SEO by creating good content, the proper keywords, and an easy-to-use site.

– It’s not quick, but it gets the job done in the end.

Struggling with your SEO blog or wanting ideas on how to grow your traffic? Let’s talk.

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