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By Kristal Juaman

SEO is crucial for making any content that can be searched for more visible on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. This includes blogs, articles, and even specific web pages within a more significant site. It helps you attract more traffic (visitors/readers) and potential customers. In this beginner's guide, I'll do my best to break down SEO basics in easy-to-understand terms.

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SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. As mentioned in my intro, It's a set of practices that improve your content's ranking in search engine results. The higher your content ranks, the more likely people will click on it.

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Search engines use special software called "crawlers" or "spiders" to scan and index websites and content. Then, they use complex algorithms to determine which websites are most relevant to a user's search using keywords.

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Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines. You need to use relevant keywords on your website and within your content to rank well. Research and choose the keywords your target audience might use to find your content. Further down, I’ll run through an example of keywords and research.

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On-page SEO refers to optimizing individual pages on your website. It involves:

?????????? ????????: Use relevant keywords in your page titles.

???????? ????????????????????????: Write concise and compelling descriptions with keywords. A meta description is the short text below the blue link in a search result. Its goal is to tell the searcher what the page is about.

??????????????: Use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure your content.

??????????????: Create high-quality, valuable content that satisfies user intent.

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Off-page SEO involves activities outside your website that impact your ranking. Key elements include:

??????????????????: High-quality websites linking to yours can boost your credibility.

???????????? ??????????????: An active social media presence can improve your SEO.

???????????? ????????????????????: Manage and monitor online reviews and mentions. Why this matters? Because it impacts your search rankings. Positive mentions and reviews can signal to search engines that your brand is reputable and trustworthy, potentially improving your rankings. It also means that more people are likely to search for your brand specifically, which can increase traffic to your site and further improve SEO. This also helps the likelihood that other websites will want to link to your content, providing valuable backlinks.

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Technical SEO focuses on the behind-the-scenes aspects of your website:

???????? ??????????: Faster websites rank better.

????????????-????????????????????????: Ensure your site works well on mobile devices.

???????? ??????????????????: Organize your content logically.

?????? ??????????????: Help search engines understand your site's structure.

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Optimizing for local search is crucial for businesses with physical locations. Claim your Google My Business listing, use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information, and encourage customer reviews.

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Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website's performance. Monitor traffic, keyword rankings, and user behavior to make informed improvements.

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SEO is constantly evolving. Stay updated with industry news, algorithm changes, and best practices to maintain your website's visibility. This means you must research and read, read, read about SEO.

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Let's pretend you’re writing an article on "sustainable living tips." You'll want to identify and use keywords that your target audience might use to find information on this topic. Here's how you might go about it:

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Your core topic is sustainable living, but this can branch into several specific areas, such as:

?? Energy conservation

?? Eco-friendly products

?? Sustainable eating

?? Zero waste lifestyle

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You would conduct keyword research for each of these areas to find relevant keywords. This could involve using tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or even looking at the autocomplete suggestions in Google Search. I use and love MARKETMUSE.

You're looking for terms that have a good balance of search volume (indicating interest) and competition level (how hard it might be to rank for that term).

Example Keywords for "Sustainable Eating":

?? Sustainable eating habits

?? Best eco-friendly food products

?? How to eat sustainably on a budget

?? Benefits of a plant-based diet

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Once you have your list of keywords, you'll want to use as many as possible in your blog posts naturally. For example, if writing an article on "How to Eat Sustainably on a Budget," you might include sections that directly address related keywords, like:

?? "Introduction to Sustainable Eating"

?? "Top 10 Eco-Friendly Food Products"

?? "Tips for Eating Plant-Based on a Budget"

?? "Maximizing Your Food's Sustainability"

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Besides the main content, use your keywords in:

?????????? ????????: Make sure the title of your article includes your primary keyword.

???????? ????????????????????????: Write a compelling meta description for your article that includes the keyword.

???????????????? (????, ????, ????): Use keywords in your headings to structure your article and make it easier for search engines to understand the content's focus.

?????????? ?????? ????????: If your article includes images, use the alt text to include relevant keywords (this helps with image search SEO).

Example for "How to Eat Sustainably on a Budget":

?????????? ??????: "5 Essential Tips for Eating Sustainably on a Budget | Sustainable Living"

???????? ??????????????????????: "Discover practical tips for sustainable eating without breaking the bank. Learn how to make a difference from choosing eco-friendly food products to plant-based diets."

??????????????: Include your keywords in headings throughout the article to break down the topic into digestible sections.

By following these steps and using keywords effectively, you can improve the SEO of your blog posts, making it easier for your target audience to find your content through search engines.

SEO can seem overwhelming initially, but by understanding and implementing these basic concepts, you'll be on your way to improving your website's search engine ranking. Keep learning and experimenting to stay ahead in the world of SEO.

Remember, SEO is a long-term strategy, and results may take time to show. Be patient and persistent in your efforts; you'll see the benefits over time. Good luck!

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