SEO For Beginners: Answering All Your Questions
SEO — it’s one of those buzzwords everyone seems to throw around, but how many people actually understand it? If you’ve been hearing about SEO and wondering what the fuss is all about, you’re in the right place. We’re here to answer your questions and demystify SEO in an easy-to-digest way!
Spotted in Hobart, Australia. That’s one way to master SEO.
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a fancy way of saying “helping your website show up when people search for things on Google.” At its core, SEO is the practice of getting your website to rank higher in organic (unpaid) search results. When your website has strong SEO, it lands on page one of Google’s results. Websites with poor SEO? Well, let’s just say they’re stuck somewhere in the abyss of page two (or beyond).
If you want your business to show up when people are searching for services you offer, SEO is key. Imagine someone Googling:
Best accountants near me…
Graphic design services…
Freelance copywriter…
And boom! There you are, right at the top. That’s the magic of SEO.
Quick Exercise: Google “trips to France” and check out the results. See how the top results say “Sponsored”? That means these websites are paying to be at the top of the search results. Scroll down a bit, and you’ll find websites ranking organically (for free). The goal is to be one of those organically ranked sites. You might be thinking, "Why not just pay to be at the top?" Well, running ads can get expensive, and people tend to trust organic results more than those labeled as sponsored.
Do I really need SEO?
Short answer: Yes! Here’s why:
More Traffic = More Customers
When your website ranks high in search results, more people will visit, generating more leads and more revenue.Competitive Edge
SEO gives you a competitive advantage. Let’s be real—when was the last time you clicked past page one on Google?Boost Credibility
Users are more likely to trust businesses that appear on the first page of search results. That credibility translates into more conversions.
Can I handle SEO on my own?
Absolutely! While advanced SEO can get technical, anyone can master the basics. You can always hire a pro later if you want to level up, but there are plenty of free resources out there for DIY SEO. Let’s dive into two simple things you can start doing today:
1. Keyword Research & Incorporation
Keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google when searching for something. Discover what keywords are trending in your industry, and strategically place them within your site.
Example: If you sell dog shampoo, and “fluffy dog hair” is a popular search term, make sure those words are somewhere on your website!
2. Content That Aligns With SEO
As you add blog posts, photos, or case studies to your website, make sure your content aligns with what people are searching for.
Example: If you sell sports equipment, include content that will help you rank on searches like “lacrosse equipment near me” or “best basketball gear.”
How do I start doing SEO?
Research is always a good place to start. Google your industry and see which websites are ranking high. What are they doing? What do their pages include that yours doesn’t? Study their layout, content, and even their photo choices. You’ll gain valuable insight into what Google cares about.
Another pro tip? Check out Google’s “People Also Ask” section—make sure your website addresses these commonly asked questions.
Can I improve my SEO for free?
There are tons of free SEO tools out there that can help you on your journey:
Google Keyword Planner
Ahrefs (free version)
SEMRush (free version)
Ubersuggest
Google Trends
Free Tools vs. Paid Tools
While free tools are great for getting started, there are also advanced paid tools that can give you even deeper insights, helping you audit your website and keep it optimized. Plus, you could hire an SEO expert, ranging from affordable freelancers on Fiverr to highly skilled SEO specialists who live and breathe this stuff.
Is SEO difficult to learn?
Not really! Think of it like learning any new skill. It might feel overwhelming at first, but once you get familiar with the terminology, it’ll start to click. Here are some SEO terms you should know as you dive deeper:
Keywords – Words people frequently search on Google
Crawling – How easily search engines find your page
Indexing – Google adding your site to its giant database
Sitemap – The digital backend of your site that is scanned by search engines
Volume – The number of searches for a keyword each month
Keyword Difficulty Score (KD %) – Measures how hard it will be to earn a high ranking
Ranking – Order of search results by relevance to the query
Above the fold – What users see on your site before they scroll
Backlink – When one website links to another with anchor text
Query – What someone types into the search bar
SERP – Search engine results page
Is SEO worth it for small businesses?
100% yes. Right now, people are Googling for the services you offer, but if your SEO isn’t up to par, they can’t find you. With some SEO effort, you’ll increase brand awareness and see long-term growth. As you continue to optimize, your business will climb higher in the rankings, attracting even more customers.
