What is SEO?

Let’s say you’re searching for "bags." If you just type in “bag,” Google might show you a bunch of websites about different types of bags—backpacks, purses, or even grocery bags. But if you type in “large bags for traveling,” Google will narrow down the results to only show websites with exactly what you’re looking for—large bags for trips!

So, SEO helps you get found by the right people when they use specific words (called keywords) to search.

How Does SEO Work?

SEO is like a set of rules that helps search engines, like Google, figure out what websites are about and how to show them to the right people. When you search for something on Google, like “best bags for travel,” Google looks at all the websites and tries to show you the ones with the best answers. This process happens because of SEO.

On-page and Off-page SEO

SEO is made up of two main parts: on-page SEO and off-page SEO. Both are important for getting your website seen by more people and improving how it ranks in search results. By using both, you can create an SEO strategy that works well.

On-page SEO focuses on everything that happens within your website. It looks at your content, how easy it is for people to find what they need on your site, and how well your title tags are set up. On-page SEO helps make sure that your website is optimized and easy to use.

Off-page SEO is all about what happens outside of your website. The main thing to focus on here is backlinks—these are links from other websites that point to your site. Having backlinks from trustworthy websites tells Google that your site is important. The more quality backlinks you get, the better your chances of ranking higher in search results.

Together, on-page and off-page SEO make your website stronger, with on-page SEO deciding what your site ranks for and off-page SEO determining how high your website ranks.

How to Use SEO to Help Your Business

Target Specific Keywords

To optimize your website, start by targeting a specific keyword or phrase for each page. Think about what your customers might search for. For example, if you run an online store for bags, instead of using just the word “bags,” try something more specific like “large travel bags” or “waterproof backpacks.” This helps your website show up when people search for those exact things.

Once you know what words and phrases people use, include them naturally in your headings, product descriptions, and other content. This will help your site show up in relevant search results, which increases your chances of making a sale.

It’s important to remember that it’s hard for one page to rank for too many different keyword phrases. So, if you have different products or topics, create separate pages for each. For example, you could have one page for "travel bags" and another for "laptop backpacks." But don’t overuse your keywords—if you stuff them everywhere, Google might penalize your page. Focus on making your content clear and helpful for readers.

Where to Put Your Keywords

Once you’ve chosen your keywords, use them in key places on your page:

URL: Make sure the URL includes the keyword, like www.yoursite.com/large-travel-bags.

Page Title: Include your keyword in the page’s title.

Headings: Use the keyword in your headings to help both Google and visitors understand what your page is about.

Meta Titles and Descriptions: These help Google understand your page and decide how it should appear in search results. The meta title is what people see when they look at search results, so make sure it includes your main keyword and gives a clear idea of what your page offers. The meta description is a short summary of your page’s content. It should be clear, concise, and also include relevant keywords.

These elements influence how your site appears in search results, so it’s important to make sure they’re clear, concise, and optimized with keywords. Platforms like WordPress make it easy to add meta titles and descriptions without needing HTML knowledge.

Also, alt tags, which describe images, help search engines understand the content of your images while improving accessibility for users with visual impairments. Adding metadata, such as title and description, provides important information about your webpage’s content.

Keep Your Content Fresh

Google loves fresh content. The more you update your website with helpful, new information, the better your rankings will be. Regularly check your site and update it with new articles, blog posts, or product updates. This keeps your site relevant and shows Google you’re active. Schedule regular audits of your site to ensure content stays current, adding new sources, and making necessary modifications. By keeping your content fresh and optimized, you improve both your rankings and the user experience.

Optimize Your Technical SEO

Technical SEO is all about improving the behind-the-scenes elements of your website to make sure it works well and is easy for search engines to find. Here are two important factors to consider:

Website Speed: A fast website is crucial for a good user experience. If your site is slow to load, visitors may leave, which could hurt your SEO.

Mobile Optimization: More people are browsing the web from mobile devices, so make sure your website works well on smartphones and tablets.

A website that’s slow or not mobile-friendly can frustrate visitors and hurt your rankings. Make sure your site works well for everyone!

Also, use internal links and descriptive links. When linking to other pages on your site, use descriptive links. For example, instead of saying “click here,” try linking to something more specific like “explore our collection of waterproof backpacks.” Descriptive links help both users and search engines understand what the link is about, improving your SEO.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a great tool for small businesses looking to ensure their website shows up properly on Google. It checks if Google can find and read your website, helps you fix any problems with how your pages are listed, and even shows how many people are visiting your site. It also tracks which search terms bring visitors to your website and how often they click on your links.

If there’s ever an issue—like something wrong with your website or if it's being blocked from Google—Search Console will alert you. It can also tell you which websites are linking to yours, helping to boost your credibility and grow your business. Even if you don’t plan on using it yourself, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with Google Search Console to see how it can help your site get noticed on Google.

Google Business Profile

If you haven’t set up your Google Business Profile (GBP) yet, you’re missing out on a fantastic opportunity to get noticed. This free tool allows you to control how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps, helping more people find your business when they search for products or services nearby.

By optimizing your profile with a description, photos, and other important details, you can increase your visibility and draw more local customers. It’s an easy-to-use tool that provides immediate benefits—so take the time to create or update your GBP to give your business a better chance to stand out.

SEMrush

When you’re ready to take your SEO to the next level, SEMrush can make the whole process a lot easier. This tool helps you analyze how your website is performing, find the best keywords to target, and even spy on your competitors to see what they’re doing right.

With SEMrush, you can track your website’s performance over time, identify popular keywords that can drive more visitors to your site, and pinpoint any technical issues that may be preventing you from ranking higher. For example, the Keyword Magic Tool helps you discover trending keywords that will attract more traffic, while the On-Page SEO Checker gives you specific suggestions for improving your site’s pages. You can even use the Site Audit tool to uncover technical problems that may be hurting your rankings.

All of these tools make it easier to plan, refine, and enhance your SEO efforts. And the best part? They allow you to track your progress, so you can see exactly how your hard work is paying off.

Ready to Boost Your SEO?

Creating helpful, quality content that answers your customers’ questions is one of the best things you can do for SEO. The more people find your website useful, the more they might share it, and the more Google will trust it. Also, use links that make sense. For example, instead of writing “click here,” try something like “check out our travel bags collection.” This helps both your users and Google understand what your page is about.

SEO can be a little tricky at first, but once you understand the basics, it can help your business get noticed by the people who need your products and services. It’s all about helping Google find your website and show it to the right people. And remember, it’s free!

If you're looking for more tips or help with implementing SEO, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s work together to grow your online presence and bring more customers to your business!