What the Heck is SEO and Why is it Important?

We’ll be breaking down the basics of SEO (search engine optimization) so that even a 12-year-old can understand it. And don’t worry, we’ll keep it fun and casual!

SEO is the process of making changes to your website or online content to help search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! understand what your website is about and show it to people who are searching for relevant information.

Think about it this way: if you were looking for information about a certain topic, where would you go? Most likely, you’d use a search engine to find what you’re looking for. And you wouldn’t want to sift through hundreds of irrelevant websites, right? That’s where SEO comes in to make sure your website or online content appears at the top of search engine results when someone is searching for information related to your content.

What is SEO, Exactly?

SEO is made up of different techniques and strategies to help search engines understand what your website is about. Some of these techniques include using relevant keywords, creating quality content, and having a well-structured website. The goal of SEO is to increase the visibility of your website or online content, so more people can find it and visit it.

Why is SEO Important?

You may be thinking, “Who cares if my website appears at the top of search engine results? Does it really make a difference?” Yes, it does! Here are a few reasons why SEO is important:

• Increased visibility: As we mentioned earlier, the goal of SEO is to increase the visibility of your website or online content. The higher your website appears in search engine results, the more likely people are to find it and visit it.
• Increased traffic: When your website or online content is easily found through search engines, it will attract more visitors, which can lead to increased traffic. And more traffic means more potential customers or readers!
• Better user experience: A well-optimized website is easier to navigate and use, which can provide a better user experience for visitors. And when people have a good experience on your website, they’re more likely to return and recommend it to others.
• Increased credibility: If your website or online content is at the top of search engine results, it can give the impression that your website is a credible and authoritative source of information on the topic. This can increase trust in your brand and help you stand out from the competition.

How Do I Optimize My Website for SEO?

Now that you know why SEO is important, you may be wondering how to optimize your website for it. Here are a few basic tips to get you started:

Choose relevant Keywords

Aka use words throughout your website that you want to be known for such as if you were a pilates Studio in Balmain you would want to show up when someone searches ‘Pilates studio Balmain’ in Google. How to make this happen?

Do keyword research:

Before you start writing, it’s important to do some research to find the best keywords to target. There are many free and paid tools available that can help you find keywords that are relevant to your website or online content and are being searched for by your target audience.

Use relevant keywords in a natural way:

Keywords are important for search engines to understand what your website is about, but it’s important to use them in a way that feels natural and not forced. You don’t want your website to sound like it’s stuffed with keywords, as this can actually harm your SEO efforts. Instead, aim to use keywords in a way that flows with the rest of your content.

Use keywords in your titles and headings:

Titles and headings are a great place to include keywords, as they give search engines an idea of what your content is about. Make sure your headings are descriptive and include relevant keywords.

Use long-tail keywords:

Long-tail keywords are longer phrases that are more specific to what someone is searching for. For example, instead of using the keyword “shoes,” a long-tail keyword could be “women’s running shoes.” Using long-tail keywords can help you attract more targeted traffic and improve your chances of ranking for those keywords.

By incorporating these tips for using relevant keywords in your website copy, you can improve your website’s SEO and increase your chances of appearing at the top of search engine results.