[Guide] SEO Fundamentals – Boosting Your Site’s Search Ranking

[Owen C137]

SEO Fundamentals – Boosting Your Site’s Search Ranking

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Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website so it appears higher in search engine results like Google.
Good SEO means more visibility, more visitors, and better chances of reaching your audience.

This tutorial covers the basics you need to start optimising your site.

1. What is SEO?​

• On-Page SEO – Changes you make directly on your website (titles, headings, content, etc.).
• Off-Page SEO – External factors like backlinks from other sites.
• Technical SEO – Site performance, mobile friendliness, and code optimisation.

2. Choosing Keywords​

• Keywords are the words/phrases people search for.
• Use tools like Ahrefs Keyword Generator or Ubersuggest to find relevant terms.
• Choose keywords that match your audience’s interests and your content.

3. Optimising Your Content​

• Include your target keyword in the page title, headings, and naturally in the text.
• Write unique, valuable content that solves the user’s problem.
• Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and headings for easy reading.

Example:

<h1>Best Coffee Beans for Espresso</h1>
<p>Finding the best coffee beans for espresso can make all the difference in taste...</p>

4. Meta Titles & Descriptions​

• The meta title and description appear in search results.
• Keep titles under 60 characters and descriptions under 160.
• Include your keyword and make it engaging.

Example:

<title>Best Coffee Beans for Espresso – 2025 Guide</title>
<meta name="description" content="Discover the top coffee beans for making perfect espresso at home. Expert tips and recommendations.">

5. Mobile Friendliness & Speed​

• Most searches happen on mobile devices — ensure your site is responsive.
• Test your site speed using Google PageSpeed Insights.
• Optimise images, reduce unnecessary code, and use caching.

6. Backlinks​

• Backlinks are links from other websites to yours.
• High-quality backlinks improve credibility in search engines.
• Build them by guest posting, creating shareable content, and networking.

7. Tracking Your SEO​

• Use Google Analytics to monitor visitors.
• Use Google Search Console to track rankings and indexing issues.

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Summary:
SEO takes time, but with the right keywords, high-quality content, and good technical performance, your site can rise in the search rankings. Consistency is key — keep updating and improving your pages.