When I thought of getting started on my journey in this, I was confused about what is SEO. why are businesses choosing this thing? I just knew what you know now Search engine optimization helps get more people to your website and helps your site to get a higher ranking on Google ( search engine).
But thinking, is it very easy to rank anything on a search engine result page (SERP) Thinking how it works?
In this blog, I will take you through an exact Guide on What is SEO and how it works.
If you’re a beginner and enthusiastic on this topic
“you will be learning from beginner to most advanced topics”.
So, Let’s begin by understanding how SEO operates. Before that here’s what you will be mastering
- What is SEO?
- Why is SEO important?
- What do the 3 components of SEO consist of?
- How is organic search different from paid search
- Understanding how search engines operate.
- How does Google choose which website to show first
- What plan should you make for more visibility on search engines [seo strategy]
- Advanced SEO Topics
- How to Measuring seo success
- How to Optimise SEO for Different Types of Content
- SEO for Different Industries
- What are tools used in while doing SEO?
- Staying Updated with SEO Trends
WHAT IS SEO?
SEO stands for Search engine optimization
In simple words getting more people into your website without spending a single dollar on ads. It’s the practice of optimizing your website and its content to increase visibility on search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Yandex.
The goal is to attract more organic traffic to your site by ranking higher in search results for relevant keywords.
It’s also about bridging the gap between what people are searching for and the content you offer
Remember the higher your website ranks, the more people will click on which directly increases your LEAD
We’ll move on to knowing its importance
Why Is SEO Important?
Search engines have become so important this days that Approximately 60% of searches on Google are related to finding information about products or services, which includes ready-made blogs and recipes.
Moreover, this statistic reflects the significant role SEO, as users frequently turn to the search engine to discover various types of content, including blog posts, cooking recipes, and other informational resources
Primary Source of Traffic
In 2024, more than half of all website traffic comes from organic search, making it a vital avenue for online exposure.
Economic Influence
In addition to its reach, the global SEO industry is estimated to grow to $122.11 billion by 2028, demonstrating its substantial role in digital marketing tactic
User Habits
Search serves as the initial step in user journeys, whether they’re seeking information, products, or services.
Cost-Effective Solution
Once established, SEO can yield long-term outcomes without the continual expenses linked to paid advertising.
Reliability and Authority
Additionally, websites ranking higher in organic search results are often perceived as more reliable and influential.
Competitive Edge
Surpassing competitors can result in expanded market share and brand recognition.
A well-optimized website will generate more leads and conversion will increase your sales. Google will automatically recommends you on the top of SERP
Finally, as per Google if your website is properly optimized and it’s available on mobile devices it will index or else skip your site. And your website will have a long wait
What do the 3 components of SEO consist of?
Now it’s time to move into the core part of SEO and understand these 3 pillars of search engine optimization
1.Technical SEO
Is all about optimizing the backend of a website.
It involves optimizing the technical involved of your website to make sure search engines can crawl, index, and understand your content properly.
What you should know in technical part
HTML, CSS | Non-index error |
Bsic meta tag | How to create ROBOT. Txt file |
URL redirection | How to implement it |
301 & 302 | How to create sitemap and implemention |
How to fix 401 error | How to fix Dupicate canonical tag |
How to fix broken links | How to index videos |
Gogole search console.crawl content not index | Content optimisation and image |
Discovered not indexed | URL optimization |
Page with redirection error | Ranking factor /schema markup. |
Soft 404 error | How to create Google tag manger and GA-4 |
a. Website Structure and Architecture
A well-structured website is easier for both users and search engines to navigate.
Key elements include:
URL Structure: It should be clear to understand, descriptive, and placement of keywords. For example, consider these URL’s :
https://thesazmedia.com/blogs/what-is-seoExample of an unclear
URL: https://thesazmedia.com/article.php?id=5678
Tips on writing clear url
- They should be readable and descriptive
- Must use hyphens to separate words
- Your URL should provide a clear hierarchy of information
Information Architecture
Organize your website into a structure with clear categories and subcategories. So that it will be easy for the bot to easily crawl your site.
Sitemaps
They are the blueprint of your website by submitting it, crawling and indexing will become easier. Typically, when we submit an XML sitemap this will tell search engines which pages are most important
Crawl Efficiency
Search engine crawlers (bots) follow links to discover new pages.
Robots.txt: by mentioning this to file will instruct search engines which URL to crawl and which to avoid.
Duplicate Content: Identify and address duplicate content issues using canonical tags or redirects.
404 Errors: Implement custom 404 pages and regularly check for broken links.
Site Speed and Performance
A fast website improves user experience and search engine rankings. Key factors include:
Image Optimization: Compress images without sacrificing quality.
Minification: Remove unnecessary characters from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.
Leverage Browser Caching: Store static resources locally to reduce loading times
2. On-Page SEO
In this process, we work on optimizing content and keywords to ensure content is relevant and user experience is good.
Let me expand on specific on-page SEO factors.
a. Keyword
This is mainly used in Digital marketing both in SEO and SEM, because it plays a key role. By conducting proper keyword research, it will be easier for that website to show up.
While doing keyword research, understand the business first, then consider user intent, keyword volume, and keyword difficulty.
[about this later in blog ]
There are different types of keywords:
- Short tail keywords consist of a single word that is exact
- Long tail which is more than 2-3 specific words
- Informational: when searchers want to gain information like blogs. cooking recipes
- Navigational: For instance, when searchers want to find a particular page or site
- Commercial: when searchers want to investigate on product, service, or brand.
- Transactional: Finally, when the search is ready to buy
b. Content creation and optimization
- Make sure if your writing or content writer make sure its high quality and to the point because search engine like that are uniques and maintains originality
- Structuring your content with proper heading tags like every page as only single H1 than followed H2 tags that acts as sub topic for h1 for every subheading you should use h2 than if that H2 had another sub topics than h3, h3, h4 goes on till h6 that’s all [h1-h6]. And optimise you header tags with relevant keywords
- Content length there is no exact word count . but keep it 1000-2500 but no bluff fill it with pure information. When user reads he should fell easy to read and content is easy to understand.
c. Title tags and meta Descriptions
- Title tag should be attracting and descriptive mention your primary keywords
- Meta Descriptions are simple just provide summary what your content is all about .If its just informative blog post make sure its descriptive and service include services and ph number
d. Image Optimisation
Alt text provides a descriptive of what that image is all about including the file name
Title tag includes primary keyword
e. Internal linking
- Relevant Linking: Link to related pages within your website to improve navigation and distribute link equity.
- Anchor Text: Use descriptive anchor text to provide context for linked pages. Don’t repeat that same word again when inter linking to your other page . use synonyms
f. User Experience (UX)
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly.
- Page Load Speed: Optimise your website for fast loading times.
- Bounce Rate: Strive to reduce bounce rate by creating engaging content.
- Dwell Time: Encourage users to spend more time on your website.
Example
For a blog post about “best hiking boots,” you might use the following on-page SEO strategies:
- Keyword: “best hiking boots”
- Title Tag: Best Hiking Boots for Men and Women: A completeGuide
- Meta Description: Discover the top-rated hiking boots for your next adventure. Find the perfect fit, comfort, and durability.
- Header Tags: H1: Best Hiking Boots for Every Terrain
- Image Alt Text: Comfortable hiking boots for men and women
- Internal Links: Link to articles about hiking gear, trail recommendations, and hiking tips.
By following these on-page SEO best practices, you can improve your website’s visibility in search engine results and attract more organic traffic.
3. Off-page SEO
Improving your website’s reputation and visibility beyond your site is the essence of off-page SEO. This includes building high-quality backlinks, increasing your brand’s online presence, and making the most of social media. You can greatly increase your website’s authority and search engine rankings
Backlinks are simple you insert your website link that you want to increase you DR [domain rating ] make sure your submitting which as less spam score and high DR
Few of backlink submission sites are
- Social bookmarking
- Blog submissions
- Forum submission
- Profile creation
- Image submission
- Infographic submission
- Directory submission
- Guest posting
- Blog commenting
Another way is to reach out to other sites that actually paid and you can also do link exchange.
How is organic search different from paid search
| Feature | Organic search [SEO] | Paid search |
|---|---|---|
|
COST |
Free { it has a basic cost if it self done }
|
Paid per click {charge times your keywords are clicked} |
|
PLACEMENT VISIBILITY |
If SEO is done properly that for sure your website will rank on 1st page |
At top or side of organic results because that place is chosen you hoe much you bid for that place |
|
TIME TO RESULT |
It may takes months than lead come through |
Its immediately |
|
SUSTAINABILITY |
Long term |
Depend on Budget |
|
TRUSTWORTHINESS |
Its most trusted and build brand awareness |
Can be perceived as less trustworthy |
|
CONTROL |
Limited control over placement and also traffic that flows into your website |
High control over ad placement and content |
|
Traffic generate |
SEO done correctly you will have high traffic that is directly proportional to increase in sales |
Sure you will have traffic but if you are budget get’s burn out than the traffic are gone . |
Understanding How Search Engines Operate.
Search Engines are platforms where you search to find things, places, or people. It’s nothing but Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
They are complex programmatic systems that provide results that searchers are looking for when a searcher types a query that acts as a signal or clue it will show a related website. this process happens through a Search engine Algorithm
Will discuss about Google Algorithms in the coming sections
Then how does this works?
This takes place in 3 process. crawling, indexing, and ranking.
Process 1 : Crawling
This is the initial phase where search engine bots, are also called as spiders, search the web, following links from one page to another. They analyse the content of each page, including text, images, and code, to understand its structure and topic.
Process 2 : Indexing
After crawling a search engine looks if this content is okay to ke crawled and In this process it organises and stores information about discovered web pages. Search engines create a large database, or index, containing details about each page, such as keywords, links, and content. This index is used to quickly takes relevant pages when a user performs a search.
Process 3 : Ranking
After those process its the final stage where the dessides on which position to rank the site
This will be fully reliable on how do you have optimised you website . that we have already talked on types of SEO
These algorithms continuously evolve to provide the most accurate and helpful results.
It’s important to note that search engines prioritize high-quality, original content that provides value to users. Websites with excellent user experiences, relevant content, and strong authority are more likely to rank well. Additionally, search engines consider factors like page loading speed, mobile-friendliness, and secure connections (HTTPS) when determining search rankings
How does Google choose which website to show first
Google’s search algorithm is a complex system that considers several factors to decide the order of search results.
The three Google algorithms that determine a website’s ranking are known as Panda, Hummingbird, and RankBrain.
For the time being, we shall learn more about RankBrain.
It is a crucial component of the Google algorithm since it improves the search engines’ comprehension of user requests and their capacity to reply. This is the main reason why RankBrain matters.
Rank brain: what is it?
Included in Google’s search algorithm since 2015 is this feature. It aids Google in comprehending and processing search queries more effectively by utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Its main responsibility is to decipher complex search terms and provide the most relevant search results.
Smarter Search: RankBrain helps Google understand what you really mean when you search, even if you use unusual words.
Better Results: Google shows you more relevant answers because it knows what you’re looking for, not just the words you typed.
Focus on Users: Websites that help people find what they need, not just stuff keywords in, do better in search results.
Constant Learning: Google’s system keeps getting smarter, so it can understand new search terms and give better answers over time.
Quality Matters: Creating helpful, informative content that people like is more important than ever for getting found online.
And one more thing [it is important ]
Google cares about the quality of information you find. They use something called E-A-T to judge if a website is reliable. It’s like checking if a doctor is qualified before giving you advice. Even though E-A-T isn’t a direct ranking factor. it strongly influences how Google sees your website. So, make sure your website shows what it’s talking about and can be trusted.
What plan should you make for more visibility on search engines [seo strategy]
If you are playing football you need to have a strategy to win against the opponent in the same way if you need to beat Google algorithm and your competitor you need to build an effective plan to over rank them
In this section we will talk about how to build a proper SEO strategy and what Goal you have to set to achieve those.
An SEO strategy is just like blueprint that will show where you prepare for what’s coming and how to prepare for that.
For that first, you have neatly optimized the 3 pillars of SEO which we have discussed in the above section
I you are just focusing on the particular area that you want to get ranked on to improve for GOOGLE MY BUSINESS [GMB] for local SEO
For example for your dentist located in London than
Optimizing your Google My Business is IMPORTANT
Your GMB is your digital storefront. complete your profile that clearly image., add rich media and high-quality photos of your services, staff, and services. that also has satisfied patients to leave reviews on your GMb.
Targeting local search queries: use location-specific keywords like for
General: dentist London, dentist near me
Specific: best dentist in central London. family dentist London
Service-based: teeth whitening London, dental implants London, orthodontist London
For more about this keep check on our blog post.
How SEO Strategy Has Changed Over Time
I’ve read , heard and experienced the changes I’ve seen are incredible. Back in the day, with people stuffing keywords into their content to rank higher. But everything changed with Google’s Panda update in 2011, and Hummingbird with rankbrain and the recent 2024 Google update. which made quality content king.
Now, it’s all about writing valuable, interesting content and making sure you cover all the topics . Local SEO has also transformed, especially after the Pigeon update in 2014, which made local searches much more important and gave a big boost to businesses that focus on their local presence.
The early days were filled with bad linking practices, but the Penguin update in 2012 put an end to that. Today, only natural links and high-quality guest posts matter. Keyword stuffing is a thing of the past, as Google now prioritises meaningful and natural use of keywords.
Search engine results pages (SERPs) have also evolved, featuring new elements like the Knowledge Graph, which provides quick answers to simple questions. And with mobile searches surpassing desktop queries since 2015, making sure websites are mobile-friendly is now essential for SEO success.
Now we will Go through advance topic of SEO .
Advanced SEO Topics you must know.
SEO is not like before and Google also has changed with its ongoing algorithm updates.
The web is not like before where they only take strings [keywords] but now they understand what search intent is, and different meanings so when structuring website you have to cover each and every topic that is related to your main subject..
First. …….
SEMANTIC SEO
It involves optimizing content and topics in the website content for meaning, not keywords. For instance, URL internal linking . is about considering the context of what the topic tells. Relation b/w 2 words and what user main intention will improve search engine ranking.
Semantic SEO looks at entities those places, things, and people, as well as their attributes.
Understanding subject-predicate-object is vital.
We will discuss in a future blog.
To get this relationship right and google to recognize that your website talks about exactly this subject you have to cover all the topics for that you should know
How to Build an Effective Knowledge graph, entity-based SEO, And topical mapping with proper keyword clustering.
To know this concept you have to visit this web page of Koray Turgberk the master and founder of <HOLISTIC SEO/>
https://www.oncrawl.com/author/koray-tugberk/
1. knowing programmatic SEO is also important .. how to build effective internal linking
How to rank a webpage without backlinks is an important
This is just a glimpse of advanced SEO I and my team will get you a full Guide on how you should do SEO at the current time
This is open source to get ideas about knowledge graphs but this is a Knowledge base. https://blinpete.github.io/wiki-graph/
If you have mastered SEO ,then it’s not dead, you should reinvent the wheel.
How to Measure the Success of Your SEO
Tracking SEO performance is very important this will let us know about KPI’s
where our strategies are working which page we need to optimise this will be know by Google search console and Google analytics
Key metrics to monitor include:
Website traffic
- Organic traffic: By measuring the number of visitors coming to your site from search engine
- Bounce rate: this is taken how many visitors leave your site after viewing only one page.
- Time on site: calculate the average time visitors spend on your website
Keyword Rankings
- Keyword positions: tracking the ranking of your keywords in search results
- Keyword visibility: measure overall visibility for your chosen keywords
Conversions
Monitor the number of visitor who have taken action by clicking on CTA or booked call, or purchases, as well as leads generated by SEO traffic.
In terms of conversion rate by knowing this we now know what percentage of visitors has completed the action that may be as mentioned above
Other Important Metrics
- Click-through rate (CTR): Measure the percentage of people who click on your search result.
- Social shares: Track how often your content is shared on social media.
- Backlinks: Monitor the number and quality of backlinks to your website.
Tools for Measurement
- Google Analytics: Provides comprehensive website traffic data.
- Google Search Console: Offers insights into search performance and indexing.
- SEO tools: Platforms like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz provide in-depth analysis and competitor data.
By regularly tracking and analyzing these metrics, you can identify trends, measure the impact of your SEO efforts, and thus make data-driven decisions to optimize your strategy.
How to Optimise SEO for Different Types of Content
Content is king, but not all content is created equal when it comes to SEO. I’ve seen firsthand how personalising SEO strategies to specific content types can dramatically impact search visibility
Blogs
Blogs are evergreen things to have on all the websites as they cover each and every topic. To optimize them for search I focus on :
Keyword research: identifying relevant, long tail keywords to target specific search intent
Interesting Headline: creating attention-grabbing titles that incorporate keywords naturally.
Structured content : using headers tags [H1,H2,H3] to improve readability and SEO
Internal linking: connecting related blog postings to increase user experience and distribute links and also building authority by referencing credible sources
Product Pages
For e-commerce clients product pages are important so I concentrate on
- Product description with detailed information about the product
- Image optimization uses high-quality images with descriptive alt text.
- Customer review, schema markup, and technical SEO.
That’s how I do to those pages.
How to do SEO for Different Industries
SEO is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The effectiveness of your strategy depends on the specific industry you operate in.
Let’s explore how SEO can be done different sectors
E-commerce
Product Optimization: Detailed product descriptions, high-quality images, and customer reviews are essential. and proper Keyword Research
- Local SEO: For physical stores, optimize for local search queries.
- User Experience: Prioritise fast loading times, easy navigation, and secure checkout.
- Google My Business: Optimize your GMB listing for local search visibility.
- Local Citations: Ensure consistency in business information across online directories.
- Reviews: Encourage customer reviews to build trust and credibility.
- Geo-targeted Keywords: Target location-specific search terms.
Healthcare
For healthcare SEO we have to look to mainly optimize for local because if are in London and a particular street dentist you search for that not for INDIA right?
So let’s look at how we can do
- Patient Trust: Emphasize expertise, qualifications, and patient testimonials.
- HIPAA Compliance: Adhere to strict privacy regulations.
- Local SEO: Target specific geographic areas and services.
- Content Focus: Create informative content addressing patient concerns and questions.
Remember: While these are general guidelines, the specific SEO strategies will vary based on individual business goals, target audience, and competitive landscape. Therefore, It’s essential to conduct thorough research and analysis within your industry to develop a tailored approach.
what are tools used in while doing SEO?
The SEO landscape is filled with tools to aid in various aspects of optimization. Here are some of the most commonly used tools across different stages of SEO:
Keyword Research
Google Keyword Planner
SEMrush
Ahrefs
Moz Keyword Explorer
On-Page SEO
Yoast SEO (WordPress)
SEOPress (WordPress)
Screaming Frog
Technical SEO
Google Search Console
Google Analytics
GTmetrix
Lighthouse
Remember: The best tools for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the size of your website. In many cases, it’s beneficial to combine multiple tools to get a comprehensive view of your SEO performance.
As there is new technology evolution and mindset evolution we will have new changes in Search engine optimization.
Some of these changes include user behavior and search engine algorithms. Here are the key trends to keep in mind, along with reasons why focusing on them is essential for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence.
Key SEO Trends for 2025 matters
EEAT Principle
Mobile Optimization
User Experience (UX)
Semantic Search and Search Intent
Local SEO
AI Integration
Interactive Content
Video Optimization
Content Freshness
Voice Search
Importance of Focusing on SEO Trends
Staying updated with these trends is crucial for several reasons:
Algorithm Adaptation
Competitive Advantage
Enhanced User Engagement
Cost-Effectiveness
Implementing effective SEO strategies can bring long-term benefits without the ongoing costs as paid advertising.
By giving more importance to these SEO trends, businesses can not only improve their search engine visibility but also increase their overall digital marketing effectiveness
Conclusion
I hope my experience on this topic has helped you understand that SEO is an ongoing learning process. Therefore, we have to do A/B testing on every blog and every website to know which gives more business to our client
With this topic, I end this blog here hoping you all have gained good information with my work and this topic called What is SEO?