Want to prevent your partner from screaming at the television when they’re favorite football team is losing?
Hide the TV remote on the second page of Google’s search results. With 75% of users never going past the first page, you’re almost guaranteed the remote won’t be found.
However, brands looking to expand their reach want—and need—to be easily found, and SEO helps them achieve this. But to boost online visibility, you need to get it right.
So, what is SEO, and how can it help drive traffic to your website? This beginner’s guide to SEO breaks down the basics in simple, actionable terms, so you can ensure your business will always be found, unlike that remote.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of optimizing your website’s content and technical aspects to rank higher in search engine result pages (SERPs), especially on Google. When someone searches for a product, service, or answer to a question, SEO ensures your site appears among the top results.
Search engine optimization is especially crucial for companies seeking to attract local customers, as 72% of people use Google to find local businesses.
Effective SEO helps you connect with people who are already searching for what you offer, making them more likely to convert into customers.
If you're new to SEO, our Digital Marketing FAQs blog is a great starting point for your journey.
Roughly 68% of all online experiences begin with a search engine. And if your business doesn’t appear within the first few search results, chances are potential customers won’t see it.
SEO amplifies visibility and reach. It also:
Websites that appear on the first page of search results are generally perceived as more trustworthy. A strong SEO strategy helps establish domain authority, improves brand visibility, and builds user confidence.
SEO delivers consistent, long-term traffic to your site without ongoing ad spend. Organic search accounts for an average of 53.3% of all website traffic, far more than any other channel.
A well-optimized website aligns with every stage of the customer journey, from awareness to decision. With targeted keywords and helpful content, SEO can help guide users through your sales funnel and increase conversions.
Want to dig deeper into how content plays a vital role in SEO? Check out our blog 7 Reasons the Importance of Content Marketing Is Higher than Ever.
To fully understand SEO basics, it’s helpful to break the process into three core pillars:
This involves everything on your actual website. That includes:
This refers to actions taken outside of your website that impact your rankings, such as:
Often overlooked, technical SEO ensures your site performs well and is easy for search engines to crawl and index. This includes:
Together, these three pillars form the foundation of an effective SEO strategy.
If you're new to SEO, you don’t need to be an expert to make impactful changes. Here are some simple yet powerful tactics you can start implementing right now:
Utilize tools like Google Keyword Planner or Semrush to identify keywords your target audience is searching for. Focus on long-tail keywords. These are longer, highly specific search phrases, such as “black flare jeans for women.” They may have lower search volumes, but they're more targeted and easier to rank for.
Each page on your site should have a unique, keyword-rich title tag and a compelling meta description. These are often the first things users see in search results, so make them count!
Linking between pages on your site helps search engines understand your content structure. It also keeps visitors on your site longer by guiding them to related content.
Search engines love valuable, original, and engaging content. Focus on answering your audience’s questions, solving their problems, and providing real value. Think long-form blog posts, how-to guides, and FAQs.
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make missteps when starting your SEO journey. Some of the top pitfalls to watch out for are:
Using your target keywords too frequently can harm your rankings. Plus, it’s just awkward to read. Aim for natural integration and focus on writing for humans first, search engines second.
With most traffic now coming from mobile devices, a poor mobile experience can kill your rankings. Make sure your site is fully responsive and loads quickly on all devices.
Without tracking your SEO efforts, you won’t know what’s working. Leverage tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor traffic, keyword rankings, and website performance.
SEO is most effective when it’s part of a comprehensive, integrated digital marketing strategy. Here’s how it complements other efforts:
And remember, SEO isn’t a one-time task. Search for website traffic evolves constantly, and so should your SEO strategy. Regular updates, content refreshes, and technical audits keep your site competitive.
At ProIQ, our modern digital marketing agency takes a thoughtful, holistic marketing approach, ensuring all these components are covered.
Search engine optimization is one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing, and it’s more accessible than you might think. By starting with the basics of SEO, you can establish a solid foundation that drives traffic, builds trust, and grows your business.
SEO takes time, but it pays off in the long run. With consistent effort and a strategic approach, your website can become a high-performing asset that operates 24/7, helping you be found by customers seeking your solutions or products.
Ready to optimize your SEO strategy? Connect with ProIQ’s experts today.