SEO doesn’t need to be overwhelming, it’s merely a set of smart, repeatable steps to help your ideal audience find you online. Here’s how to break it down:
1. What it is and why it matters
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) means improving your website so it ranks higher in search results for terms your audience actually uses. Bascially more visibility = more traffic. Over 90% of global web traffic comes from Google, Search, Images, and Maps. The best ranking websites are trusted for a reason and people buy from brands they see as authoritative.
2. Find the right keywords (think like a customer)
Firstly think like a customer, what keywords and phrases would they use in order to find you. Also there are a number of free tools (such as Google keyword planner) to discover relevant terms. Think about long‑tail phrases (“e.g. affordable SEO services Chippenham”), they’re easier to rank for and more specific. Also look at competitor rankings to see what content is working for them.
3. On‑page SEO – the essentials
Just like a well‑branded site, every page needs consistent care:
- Title tags & meta descriptions: Clear, keyword‑rich and compelling enough to click.
- Headings & URLs: Use H1/H2s for structure; keep URLs simple and include keywords.
- Alt text: Describe images with insightful keywords for better accessibility and indexing.
- Content: Informative, well‑written, broken into easy‑to‑read sections.
4. Technical SEO – what needs to be under the hood
Make your site solid from a backend perspective:
- Performance: Optimise images, enable caching to ensure fast loading.
- Mobile optimisation: With most users browsing on phones, mobile‑friendly design is essential.
- Crawling & indexing: Submit a sitemap, fix broken links, and use robots.txt properly.
5. Off‑page SEO – build authority
Your site’s authority grows with endorsements from trusted sources:
- Backlinks: Encourage others to link to you through quality content, guest blogging and partnerships.
- Social & brand mentions: Social shares and unlinked references help too.
6. Local SEO
Create and optimise a Google Business Profile. Ensure all your contact information is consistent. Encourage customer reviews as they boost visibility in local search listings
7. Track, tweak & repeat
Use Google Analytics/Search Console to monitor performance, spot issues, and measure traffic. Refresh outdated content, add new blog posts, and build more links regularly.
Finally SEO is a marathon, not a sprint but once established organic performance will continue to grow.