If you're looking to increase the visibility of your website on search engines like Google, then you need to learn how to do SEO. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords.
In this complete guide to SEO for websites, we'll take you through the process of conducting keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, off-page optimization, and measuring and monitoring SEO performance.
Let's get started.
1. Conducting Keyword Research
Keyword research is the process of identifying the keywords and phrases that people are searching for related to your business or industry. It's an essential first step in any SEO strategy because it helps you understand the terminology your target audience is using.
To conduct keyword research, you can use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. These tools will help you identify high-value keywords that have a good search volume and low competition.
You can also use Google to find new and trending keywords in search results for example
You can target short-term keywords and long-term keywords according to your niche.
Short-Term Keywords
Short-term keywords are typically one or two-word phrases that are more general and have a high search volume and are also known as "head keywords" or “seed keywords”. Examples of short-term keywords include "buy shoes," "marketing services," or "travel agency."
Long-Term Keywords
Long-term keywords, also known as "long-tail keywords," are longer and more specific phrases that are less competitive but have a lower search volume. They are often more targeted to a specific audience and can bring in more qualified traffic that is more likely to convert. Examples of long-term keywords include "women's running shoes," "digital marketing agency in New York," or "best places to travel in Europe on a budget."
Once you've identified your target keywords, you can create a keyword strategy that includes incorporating those keywords into your website's content. Optimize those keywords in your web content naturally ‘Keep that in mind do not stuff it’.
On-Page Optimization
On-page optimization refers to the practice of optimizing individual web pages on your website to rank higher in search engines and earn more relevant traffic. On-page optimization includes:
Optimizing Title Tags - Use your main keyword in the meta title tag.
Meta Descriptions - Include your main keyword in the meta description and optimize it with your other keywords naturally.
Meta Keywords - Add meta keywords to your website
Header Tags - Give heading and subheading in web content, use H1, H2…H6 tags and include your main keyword in H1 tage
Image Optimization - Optimize your images save your image in webp format and add alt tags to all mages
URL Structure - Create your URL easy to understand, do not use a complicated URL like “example.com/d/1F7qguGQuJJF-2-_HT8cVm8Hj86McJqNta0sUJ6J_MBY/”. Make it simple and understandable like “example.com/car-renting-services-in-delhi”
Internal Linking - Make your internal linking structure easy to navigate, do not use internal linking more than 3 clicks deep from the home page.
Anchor Text Optimization - Optimize your internal linking anchor text. Describe your anchor text with exactly what is your internal linking about. For example, instead of using “Read More” you can use “See Software Development Services”.
Canonical Tag - Use canonical tags on your original page. It helps prevent duplicate content issues on the website.
Best practices for on-page optimization include ensuring that your content is high-quality, original, and relevant to the search query. You should be fulfilling the user intent properly. Stay up to date with the latest news in the SEO world.
3. Technical SEO
Technical SEO involves optimizing your website's technical elements to improve its performance and search engine visibility. This includes elements like website structure and architecture, site speed optimization, and mobile-friendliness. Technical SEO includes:
Optimizing Website Structure and Architecture
Site Speed Optimization
Mobile-Friendliness
Schema markup
XML Sitemap
robots.txt file
User Page Experience
If you are improving your website for search engine result pages then Google suggested improving “Core Web Vital” which is the most essential part of technical SEO. Let’s get into more details.
Core Web Vital includes LCP, FID and CLS
LCP - Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) is a performance metric used to measure the loading speed of a web page. Specifically, it measures the time it takes for the largest content element on a web page to be rendered in the user's browser.
Upgrade Hosting
Use CND
Minify CSS and HTML
Enable Caching
Keep image optimized
Keep text optimized
Keep DOM small
Do not keep the Java script at the top
Use defer attribute with javascript
FID - First Input Delay (FID) is a metric used to measure the responsiveness of a web page to user interactions. Specifically, it measures the amount of time it takes for a web page to respond to the first user interaction, such as a click or tap on a button or link.
Reduce JSexecution time
Optimize CSS
Minimize main thread work
Reduce third-party code
CLS - Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a metric used to measure the visual stability of a web page as it loads and interacts with the user. Specifically, it measures the amount of unexpected layout shift that occurs during the loading process. Unexpected layout shifts can occur when elements on a page (such as text, images, or videos) move around unexpectedly, causing frustration for the user and potentially leading to a poor user experience.
Optimizing images and other media
Prioritizing above-the-fold content
Use fonts that are similar or self-host your fonts
Give embedded element proper size to avoid layout shift
Allot space for ads and set fallback images.
Best practices for technical SEO include ensuring that your website is structured in a logical and easy-to-navigate way, optimizing your website's speed, making sure that your website is mobile-friendly, and using schema markup to provide additional context to search engines.
4. Off-Page Optimization
Off-page optimization refers to the practice of optimizing external factors that influence your website's ranking, such as link building, social media marketing, and local SEO.
Link building is the process of acquiring high-quality backlinks from other websites to your own. Social media marketing involves using social media platforms to promote your content and engage with your audience. Local SEO involves optimizing your website to rank for local search queries and improving your visibility in local directories.
5. Measuring and Monitoring SEO Performance
Finally, it's important to measure and monitor your website's SEO performance to understand what's working and what's not. You can use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track key metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, and backlink profiles.
By regularly monitoring your website's SEO performance, you can identify areas for improvement and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SEO is an essential component of any digital marketing strategy. By following the best practices for conducting keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, off-page optimization, and measuring and monitoring SEO performance, you can improve your website's visibility on search engines and attract more relevant traffic to your site.