Search engine optimization sounds fancy but it doesn’t have to be; I’ve made it super simple. Today you are going to learn about SEO Basics and the 10 fundamentals of what you need to optimize your site. I’ve organized this in a way that you can do one or all of these; it’s totally up to you.
To get started, simply check out the list below and find something you are ready to tackle. Most if not all of these fundamentals you can do in just a few minutes. Which means that in about an hours’ time, your site will be ready to go if you did all of them at once.
10 Fundamentals for Getting Started with SEO
- Review all your page URLs. Make sure that your URL is as short as possible AND that you have included keywords in the page title, URL, and listed in the keywords area of your page.
- Clean up your keyword list. Review what keywords you aren’t using or don’t use and see if there is a way you can make better use of your keywords on both posts and pages.
- Update names of images. SEO also picks up on the name of your image, so make sure that it’s titled to match your post or page.
- Don’t overuse keywords. This means, don’t try to insert keywords where they don’t belong in your title, body text, etc. because search engines will know it. Write naturally and insert keywords where appropriate.
- Titles should be short and sweet. The standard I like to follow is no more than 65 characters in length.
- Use the same name everywhere! No matter where you are, you should be trying to use the same name as your website. So if your website was Sewmantra, then all your usernames, IDs and so on should be that name too.
- Use caution when using anchor links. Anchor links can be helpful, but if set up incorrectly they can tell search engines you are over doing it. If you want to use anchor links, read up on them and if in doubt, have a pro help you out.
- Is your website mobile friendly? Check it out by visiting Browser Stack
- Meta descriptions are important but not vital. Meta descriptions help readers find you but they do not help with SEO. It’s confusing, but they are paired with your search results so that readers can learn about what you offer. Use them; they are helpful to your readers.
- Last but not least, SEO is many things… but it isn’t:
- about buying keywords
- a fast process
- hard once you know the basics
- as difficult as you think to be ranked high if you product good content.
I’ll be back tomorrow for Day 3 of SEO for Everyone. I’d like to Thank Thaleia Maher of Something 2 Offer for hosting this challenge as well as the other challenge hostesses who are helping to make this event possible. If you are interested in learning more about blogging, boosting your SEO or simply just want to say hi, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
See you tomorrow,
Martiel
This gives me a few more things to think about. I know I’m OK on some of it, but I do need to go back and check the other things.
Thank you so much for simplifying this! I was completely lost on the SEO piece and everything I researched was just going over my head!
Just started doing #6. Wish I had known that one sooner — I would have made it my username for Twitter and Pinterest, etc.
I still have early posts whose pics I need to name — yikes!
That’s quite a list : ) I could spend an hour on each one being new to all of this. I would have to start by looking up numerous terms. For instance, what is an anchor link? I have much work to do…
Aimee,
Glad to hear that Martiel was able to clearly explain SEO. SO much to learn about all areas of blogging it’s mind boggling!