How to Improve Your SEO When You’re Inexperienced

Boost your site’s visibility with simple SEO tips for beginners. Learn to optimize keywords, enhance content quality, and track search performance effectively.

Did you know that less than 1% of searchers ever venture past the first page of Google results?

Whether you knew it or not, your own search engine habits might have given you an indication as to the answer — let’s face it, how often do we need to click through to page two at all, except perhaps for curiosity’s sake?

Unless you’re happy for your site to be banished to the dark void that lies beyond page one, mastering SEO (search engine optimization) should be one of your top priorities.

Unfortunately though, SEO isn’t exactly novice-friendly. If you’re a newcomer to the field, there’s a good chance you’re feeling intimidated by the sheer volume of techniques, technology, and terminology involved. Where do you even begin?

Well, young padawan, the answer is simple: you start here, by reading this article.

Start with a solid foundation

The first step to improving your SEO is understanding the basics. SEO is not just about keywords — though they’re important— but also about ensuring that search engines can crawl and index your website properly. If search engines can’t easily find and understand your content, no amount of keyword stuffing will save you.

Make sure your website is built on a solid platform with clean code and good navigation. Platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace offer SEO-friendly templates that are relatively easy to work with. Yes, it involves getting your wallet out, but from a business perspective, investing in a well-structured website at the outset will save you significant headaches (and money) later, so don’t be afraid to spend a little!

You’ll also want to take the time to audit your site’s structure and ensure that your URL pathways make sense. Avoid long, confusing URLs that are packed with numbers or unnecessary words. Keep them short, readable, and keyword-rich if possible. For instance, “www.mysite.com/best-coffee-beans” is much better than “www.mysite.com/1234567890/coffee/beans/”. This simple change can improve your SEO and help search engines better understand your site’s content.

The power of keywords

Keywords are the cornerstone of SEO, and even as a beginner, you can start optimizing your site by focusing on this essential element. Keywords are the phrases your potential customers are typing into search engines. To succeed, you need to understand what they’re searching for and tailor your content accordingly.

You don’t need fancy tools to get started. Google’s own search suggestions and related searches can provide a treasure trove of information. Begin by typing a relevant query into Google and see what auto-suggest or the “People also ask” section generates. This will give you a clear idea of the keywords and questions people are interested in.

It’s also essential to align your content with what your target audience is actively searching for. For example, if you run a small bakery, potential customers might search for terms like “best gluten-free cupcakes” or “custom birthday cakes in [Your City].” Use those exact phrases in your blog posts, product descriptions, and landing pages.

However, be careful not to overuse keywords. Keyword stuffing (the practice of cramming as many keywords as possible into your content) can hurt your SEO rather than help it. Instead, aim for natural-sounding language and focus on delivering valuable, informative content that answers your audience’s questions.

Essentially, avoid creating content strictly for the sake of SEO — yes, you want your content to boost your site’s standing in the SERPs (search engine results pages) but it should also be worth reading, which brings us to our next point…

Content is king: quality over quantity

One mistake many beginners make is thinking that SEO is purely a technical game. While the technical aspects are crucial, content is just as important. In fact, high-quality content can often make up for minor technical deficiencies.

Search engines like Google prioritize content that is valuable, authoritative, and relevant. This means you need to focus on producing content that genuinely helps your audience. Instead of writing generic posts or stuffing your site with low-quality articles, take the time to create well-researched, insightful content that solves real problems for your customers.

For example, let’s say you own a local pet grooming business. Instead of just writing a basic “About Us” page or listing your services, consider creating blog posts about how to care for different dog breeds, what to look for in a good groomer, or seasonal tips for pet care. Not only will this content help you rank for specific, long-tail keywords, but it also positions your brand as an expert in the field.

Google’s algorithm also takes into account four specific factors when assessing the quality of your content. These factors are abbreviated as E-E-A-T:

• Experience: Demonstrates firsthand experience with the topic. For instance, if you’re writing about pet grooming, sharing personal or professional grooming tips adds credibility.
• Expertise: Showcases deep knowledge in your field. This could be through specialized training, industry certifications, or years of hands-on experience.
• Authoritativeness: Establishes your authority by being recognised as a leader or expert in your industry. This can be supported by reviews, testimonials, or backlinks from trusted sites.
• Trustworthiness: Builds trust with accurate, transparent, and well-researched content. Ensure your site is secure and your business information is verifiable and consistent.

Take note of these, and try to keep them in mind whenever you create content for your site.

Hiring for SEO: should you go remote?

As your SEO efforts grow, you might realize that you need some help. Whether it’s due to time constraints or lack of expertise, hiring someone to assist with SEO can be a wise business move. One critical decision you’ll face is whether to hire someone locally or remotely.

Remote hiring has become more popular than ever, especially in the world of digital marketing. Hiring remotely allows you to tap into a larger talent pool and potentially save money, as you can look for candidates in regions where the cost of living — and thus salaries — are lower.

Expanding to Madrid and want to nail your local SEO strategy? Try hiring in Spain. Need affordable technical SEO assistance? Tap into India’s rich pool of SEO experts. Just make sure to interview candidates thoroughly and look for those who can show proven success in SEO. There’s no need to hire a permanent, full-time employee, either — Fiverr has a staggeringly huge number of talented SEO freelancers ready to work on your next project.

Targeting local SEO: a crucial step

Speaking of local SEO, it’s vital for small businesses that rely on local traffic. You can have the best product or service in the world, but if your local customers can’t find you online, you’re leaving money on the table.

Local SEO is all about optimizing your online presence to attract business from local searches on Google and other search engines. Claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile is a great first step. This profile ensures your business appears in Google Maps and local search results, increasing your visibility to people in your area.

Additionally, ensure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) information is consistent across all online platforms, from your website to social media profiles and local directories. Inconsistent NAP data can confuse search engines and hurt your local SEO efforts.

Oh, and finally — make sure you encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google. Positive reviews can boost your business’s credibility and improve your search rankings. Search engines tend to favor businesses with high ratings and lots of engagement from their customers.

Measure your success

Improving your SEO is an ongoing process, and it’s crucial to track your efforts. As a business owner, you should be measuring the impact of your SEO strategies to ensure you’re moving in the right direction.

Free tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console can provide invaluable insights into how your site is performing. Pay attention to metrics like organic traffic, bounce rates, and the keywords bringing visitors to your site.

Remember, SEO is not an overnight success strategy. It takes time to see results, so be patient and persistent. Regularly update and optimize your content, stay informed about the latest SEO trends, and be prepared to adapt your strategy as necessary.

With a bit of dedication and strategic effort, even an inexperienced business owner can achieve success in SEO. It’s all about learning the basics, targeting the right keywords, focusing on quality content, and being consistent in your efforts. Whether you choose to tackle SEO on your own or hire help, the rewards of improved visibility and increased traffic will be well worth the investment.