What is SEO?
Search engines play a huge role in today’s world. It is there that we most often search for solutions to problems that arise, or look for the products we need. That’s why it’s so important for any business to make sure it’s their website that shows up in response to specific search terms. And this is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization), a key component of an online marketing strategy, comes in.
Definition of SEO
It stands for Search Engine Optimization, which can be translated as “Search Engine Optimization.” Generally speaking, it is a set of activities that aim to improve a website’s visibility in the organic (free) results of search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo. The main goal is to achieve the best possible result for specific key phrases.
How does it work?
Effectiveness depends on a proper plan of action and appropriate implementation. You must not only answer the user’s query comprehensively, but at the same time convince the search engine that your answer is the most accurate. There are a lot of steps you can take to improve SEO. We will present the most popular ones.
Remember, however, that nothing is permanent and you should constantly test the measures you have taken and monitor changing trends. This is the only way you can truly succeed.
Keywords
Choosing the right keywords is the first step in optimizing your site. These are nothing more than phrases that users type into a search engine to find the information, sites or services they want. They can be both less and more specific, such as washing machine repair, washing machine repair *selected city*. Proper selection of keywords is important, as it helps attract the right target audience. You can use ready-made tools (free and paid) or opt for the help of a company that professionally handles SEO.
Content optimization
Once you have the right phrases and keywords selected, then you need to adjust the content on the page. It should not only contain the chosen phrases, but also be of value to users. The more responsive the content, the better it will do in searches.
Backlinks
These are links that lead to your site from other sites. This has a very strong impact on SEO, as such links lend credibility. Google wants to show its users the most trusted sources and valuable content, so it is more likely to show sites that someone has already linked to. It is worth building your site to be a valuable source for other sites.
Site structure
It may seem counter-intuitive, but how a site is built also affects SEO. The site should be easy to navigate for both users and search engine robots. The clear structure of the site helps search engines understand its structure and index its content. And this, in turn, translates into better positioning.
Mobile-Friendly
Of course, many users still use computers when browsing the web, but we are definitely reaching for cell phones more often. Therefore, in order for a website to have good SEO, it must be adapted to work on phones. That means it has to look good and be easy to navigate on a smartphone screen.
Speed
We don’t want to waste a lot of time, so we like technology to work efficiently and we don’t have to wait long. Search engines appreciate the same. Pages that load faster can be positioned higher than others. This altogether combines with the proper structure of the site and its adaptation to different devices. So what if the site is packed with beautiful photos and graphics when it doesn’t load fast enough on a phone? Such situations can discourage customers and do not affect SEO well.
Why is this important?
- Good positioning in search results means greater visibility for the site. The higher your site ranks in the results, the greater the chance that users will click on it. This seems to be especially important for online stores.
- A higher position in search results attracts more visitors, which can translate into more traffic to the site. This, in turn, can lead to more customers, thus increasing profits.
- Websites that rank high in the results are often seen as more reliable and trustworthy.
- Providing valuable content and proper optimization, attracts users who are more likely to make purchases or perform other desired actions on your site.
SEO is an important part of success in today’s online world. There is no single proven formula for how best to design activities for SEO, so they require constant attention and adjustment. However, the effort put into it produces excellent results and significantly increases profits.