Starting with SEO

Getting started with search engine optimization might sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. SEO is about making your website easy for users and search engines to find and understand. Think of it as helping search engines like Google and Bing connect people with the right information—your content. Let’s break it down step by step.

Understand how search engines work

Search engines crawl, index and rank websites. Crawling means they scan your site to see what’s there. Indexing is when they store that information in a big database. Ranking determines which sites show up first when someone searches.
Your goal? Make it easy for search engines to do all three. Tools like Rankifyd can guide you by analyzing your site and offering actionable recommendations.

Start with keywords

Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search bars. To succeed with SEO, you need to know what your audience is searching for. Tools like Rankifyd, Google Keyword Planner or even Google’s autocomplete feature can help. Choose keywords that are relevant to your business and content. Then, use them naturally in your page titles, headings, text and image descriptions (alt text).

Pro tip: Don’t overuse keywords. This is called keyword stuffing, and it can hurt your rankings.

Create high-quality content

Content is king in SEO. It should be useful, easy to read and relevant to your audience. Focus on solving problems or answering questions your audience might have. Keep paragraphs short, use bullet points and include images or videos when possible. Quality over quantity is the rule here.

Optimize your titles and headings

Titles and headings guide both readers and search engines. Make sure every page has a unique, descriptive title. Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to organize your content. For example:
 

• H1: Main topic
• H2: Subtopics
• H3: Supporting details

This structure helps search engines understand your content and boosts readability. The order of headings matters—skipping levels, like going from H1 to H3, can confuse search engines and hurt your SEO.

Use meta descriptions

A meta description is a short blurb that appears under your page title in search results. It should summarize your content and include your main keyword. Aim for 150–160 characters. For example: “Learn the basics of SEO and how to improve your website’s visibility with simple tips on keywords, content and more.”

Make your website mobile-friendly

More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. A site that isn’t mobile-friendly risks losing visitors—and rankings. Use a responsive design so your website looks great on all devices. To check if your site is mobile-friendly, use  Rankifyd’s Mobile Analysis Tool.

Search engines can’t “see” images, but they can read alt text. 

Improve page speed

Fast-loading pages are essential for both user experience and SEO. Slow websites frustrate visitors and lead to higher bounce rates. Compress images, minimize code and use a reliable hosting provider.  Rankifyd’s PageSpeed Insights tool can show you where to improve.

Add internal and external links

Internal links connect pages within your website. They help users navigate and signal to search engines which pages are most important. For example, link a blog post to a related product page. External links point to reputable sites outside your own. These add credibility to your content. Just make sure they’re relevant and trustworthy.

Use alt text for images

Search engines can’t “see” images, but they can read alt text. Alt text is a short description of an image. It improves accessibility and gives search engines more context. For example, instead of “IMG1234.jpg,” use “woman holding a yoga mat after class.”

Monitor and adjust

SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it task. Use tools like  Google Search Console or Google Analytics to track your performance. Pay attention to traffic, rankings and click-through rates. If something isn’t working, tweak it. SEO is an ongoing process, but small adjustments can lead to big improvements.

Utilize Bing Webmaster Tools

Don't overlook Bing, the second-largest search engine. Bing Webmaster Tools offers features to help you manage your site's presence on Bing:
 

• Submit URLs: Ensure Bing indexes your new or updated pages promptly.
• Crawl Control: Manage how and when Bingbot crawls your site to optimize server performance.
• Backlink Data: Access information about sites linking to yours, helping you understand your backlink profile.

Setting up Bing Webmaster Tools is straightforward and can help you tap into additional search traffic.

Starting with SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on creating valuable content, using keywords wisely, and ensuring your site is user-friendly. Over time, your efforts will pay off in higher rankings and more traffic. Boost your website’s visibility. Start with SEO today!