SEO Basics: How does SEO Work

See the bottom of this article for a glossary of terms

As a web design agency, we understand that the term "SEO" might sound like a foreign language to many of our clients. Fear not – in this post, we'll demystify SEO, unravel its mysteries, and shed light on why it's crucial for the success of your website.

How does SEO Work?

Google and other search engines use an algorithm to crawl all of the websites on the internet and then index them based on the content that on the website. When a person searches for something in Google, the search engine looks through its index and shows the results it thinks are most suitable on the Search Results Page. SEO works by updating a website to enhance the chance that the search engine displays the site.

SEO ultimately stands for Search Engine Optimisation. This just means making adjustments to your website over time to increase the chance that it is shown on search results.

To understand how SEO works, you need to know what a keyword is. Google shows results to searchers based on the "search term" they type in. Google breaks up a search term into "keywords". For example a user could type:

"Used car dealership near me"

Google will see two keywords in this term:

1. Used car dealership

2. Near me

Google will look at the location of the user and then look for websites that are listed as used car dealerships in the area that the user has searched.

If a user types in "best recipes for macaroni cheese", Google then looks at all websites that have a page titled "Best recipe for Macaroni Cheese". Certainly there will be thousands of website with that page. So Google then looks at a number of factors at determining which website to show to the searcher. The process of updating your site to maximise these factors is the process of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

To briefly touch on the points that Google looks at without going into too much detail I have provided a short list of the factors which Google considers:

1. How old is the website

2. How many page visits does the page get

3. If a user visits the page do they spend time on it or just leave quickly after arriving

4. Does the page have a god amount of written content (between 500 and 1000 words)

5. Does the page have pictures

6. Does the page have videos

7. Is the page mobile friendly

8. Is the page optimised for users who are hard of sight

9. Is the page easy to use

10. Is the page structured clearly

11. Do other websites link to this page

That list is by no means the full list of things that the Google Algorithm considers, but hose are some of the most crucial elements.

Why New Websites Don't Rank High in Google:

Launching a new website is exciting, but don't be disheartened if it doesn't skyrocket to the top of Google's search results immediately. Search engines need time to discover, crawl, and index your site. Additionally, competition is fierce, and established websites have a head start in building authority. Patience is key, as the age of a website is one of the factors Google considers when ranking pages.

Google values sites that publish new content regularly. This is because Google sees that as valuable to the website visitors. If you want your new website to do well on Google make sure to have a content strategy in place that allows you to publish content regularly. This is why many websites have blog sections.

Why Your Site May Not Rank for the Terms You Want Initially:

While it's a worthy goal, instant gratification is rare in the SEO world. Google's algorithms evaluate numerous factors, including relevance, content quality, and user experience. It takes time for your site to earn credibility and relevance, so stay committed to the long game.

If you want your site to rank for specific keywords you need to make sure that you have those keywords present on your site. If there is a very specific keyword you want to rank for then it is a good idea to have a dedicated page that has that keyword as the title. For example if you are hairdresser and you want to be displayed when people search for "men's haircuts", then you should have a page on your site titled "men's haircuts". You should also mention the term on other places in your website too, for example you might have a page called "services" and then have a section that page titled "men's haircuts" that links to the men's haircuts page.

Strategies for SEO Success:

While there are many different strategies for SEO success these are the core ones that never change:

1. Quality Content: Craft engaging, relevant, and well-structured content that addresses your audience's needs. Regularly update your website with fresh and valuable information.

2. Keyword Optimisation: Identify and integrate relevant keywords naturally into your content, titles, and meta tags. Be strategic, avoiding keyword stuffing, as it can harm rather than help.

3. User Experience Matters: Ensure your website is user-friendly, with easy navigation and fast loading times. A positive user experience contributes to higher rankings.

4. Build Quality Backlinks: Establish links from reputable websites to yours. Quality over quantity is crucial; Google values links from authoritative sources.

Google Ads as a Quick Fix:

If you're eager for immediate results, Google Ads can provide a shortcut to visibility. These paid ads can place your website at the top of search results for specific keywords. While it's a quick fix, remember that it's a temporary solution that requires ongoing investment.

SEO Is an Ongoing Process:

Think of SEO as a marathon, not a sprint. It's not a one-time task but a continuous effort. Regularly update your site, adapt to algorithm changes, and stay informed about industry trends. Consistency and persistence will pay off in the long run.

SEO relies of analysing the data from your website and updating the website accordingly. Remember that Google expects you to keep your website up to date and to publish new and interesting content for your users regularly.

Your website is dynamic entity that requires monitoring and upkeep in order for it to work for you.

Conclusion: Come up with a strategy and commit to it. Results come to those who persistently work towards the outcome they want.

SEO is the secret sauce that transforms your website from a hidden gem to a shining star in the online world. Embrace the journey, invest in quality content and user experience, and consider Google Ads for a speedy ascent. Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint – with time, dedication, and the right strategies, your website will climb the ranks and reach new heights.

If you need help with your SEO or if this post has sparked your interest you can always book a call with us to discuss your site, go through your analytics and come up with a strategy to start ranking higher in searches.

SEO Glossary of Terms:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization): The process of optimizing a website to improve its visibility on search engines and increase organic (non-paid) traffic.

2. SERP (Search Engine Results Page): The page displayed by a search engine in response to a user's query, showcasing a list of relevant websites and their rankings.

3. Keywords: Specific terms or phrases users enter into search engines. Incorporating relevant keywords into content helps improve a website's visibility for those terms.

4. Meta Tags: HTML tags that provide information about a web page to search engines. Key meta tags include the title tag, meta description, and meta keywords.

5. Backlinks: Links from other websites to your site. Quality backlinks from reputable sources can boost your site's authority and search engine rankings.

6. Crawling: The process by which search engine bots systematically browse and index web pages, collecting information to determine their relevance.

7. Indexing: Storing and organizing the information collected during crawling in a search engine's database, making it retrievable for future search queries.

8. Algorithm: The complex set of rules and calculations search engines use to determine the relevance and ranking of web pages in search results.

9. PageRank: Google's algorithmic method of measuring the importance and authority of a web page based on the quantity and quality of its backlinks.

10. Alt Text: Descriptive text added to an image tag in HTML, providing information about the image. Alt text is crucial for accessibility and can also impact SEO.

11. Canonical URL: The preferred URL of a web page, used to avoid duplicate content issues. Canonical tags indicate the primary version of a page to search engines.

12. Organic Traffic: Visitors who come to a website through unpaid (organic) search engine results, as opposed to paid advertising.

13. Anchor Text: The clickable text in a hyperlink. Using relevant and descriptive anchor text can contribute to the SEO value of the linked page.

14. Local SEO: Optimization strategies focused on improving a website's visibility in local search results, often essential for businesses targeting a specific geographic area.

15. Sitemap: A file that lists all the pages on a website, helping search engines understand its structure and index its content more effectively.

16. Robots.txt: A text file placed in a website's root directory that instructs search engine bots which pages to crawl and which to avoid.

17. 404 Error: An HTTP status code indicating that a requested page is not found on the server, potentially leading to a negative impact on SEO if not addressed.

18. Long Tail Keywords: Specific and often longer search phrases that target niche audiences. They can be less competitive and may result in higher conversion rates.

19. Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who navigate away from a website after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate may signal issues with content or user experience.

20. Conversion Rate: The percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form. Tracking conversions is vital for assessing the effectiveness of SEO efforts.

Mastering the Art of Blog Writing for SEO: Best Practices and Evolution

Here is what to expect in this article:

1. History and evolution of blogging

2. Intersection blog writing and SEO strategy

3. Key ranking factors for Google

4. Best practices for SEO blog writing

5. Blog writing minimums

6. Blogging frequency guide

7. Conclusions

8. A note on AI generated blogs

A blog post has many components, how do you focus on the right ones?

In the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, blogs have become a fundamental digital strategy tool for businesses, content creators, and individuals looking to establish their online presence. A blog provides websites with the ability to bake keywords into their pages while demonstrating authority in their fields.

As the digital world has grown, so has the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for blogs. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the history of blog writing, its convergence with SEO, the evolution of Google's ranking factors, and the best practices for optimizing your blog posts to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

A Journey Through the History of Blog Writing

Before we dive into the world of SEO, let's take a brief trip down memory lane to explore the history of blog writing.

The Dawn of Blogging

Blogs, short for "weblogs," emerged in the late 1990s as personal online journals. Early bloggers used platforms like Blogger and LiveJournal to share their thoughts, experiences, and stories with a limited audience. These were simple, text-heavy websites with minimal formatting (like most of the internet was back in 1999)

The internet back in 1999 - most bloggers have probably never seen this.

Blogging Goes Mainstream

The early 2000s witnessed the proliferation of blogs across the internet. They became platforms for discussing various topics, including technology, travel, fashion, and more. As the popularity of blogging grew, so did the need for improved visibility in search engines. Search engines use complex algorithms to crawl, index, and rank web content based on relevance and quality, ultimately selecting the most suitable results to display to users. The methods that the search engines use to do this job are numerous and they change all the time, though the core mission of the search engines always stay the same: show the searcher the most valuable content.

(keep this concept of "value" in your mind as this is the most important thing when it comes to blogging - creating valuable content for your audience)

The Intersection of Blog Posts and SEO

The convergence of blog posts and SEO took place in the mid-2000s when marketers recognized the potential of optimizing content for search engines to increase organic traffic. This marked the beginning of a new era for bloggers, where writing engaging content alone was no longer sufficient. In the beginning, this simply meant posting A LOT! Companies flooded the internet with text about their products and services and for a while this was a sufficient "hack" to get a lot of traffic. Of course, today the search algorithms are not so primitive and this tactic is no longer relevant.

The Birth of SEO for Blogs

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) became a crucial aspect of blogging as bloggers realized that they could reach a broader audience by optimizing their content for search engines. This era saw the emergence of practices like keyword optimization, meta tags, and link building. If you are not familiar with those concepts, click the links on any of those topics and read a little more about them - they are a fundamental part of blogging for SEO.

The Panda and Penguin Updates

In 2011, Google introduced the Panda and Penguin updates, which aimed to improve the quality of search results by penalizing low-quality content and manipulative link-building practices. This forced bloggers to focus on producing high-quality, valuable content.

This is arguably the most important pivot in the short history of SEO and was the foundation for most of the updates we have seen in years since 2011. Ultimately since 2011 the algorithm developers have been focused on refining the search engine's ability to identify value for the searcher. Every year we get at least one big update to the algorithm, to start learning more about the 2023 update, click here.

In recent years there has been a big focus on what Google calls E-A-T. Here is quick excerpt from the Search Engine Journal about what E-A-T is:

E-A-T is one of many guidelines Google uses to determine whether the content is valuable to readers and whether it should rank well. The first mention of E-A-T occurred in 2014 when Google added the concept to their Search Quality Guidelines. Google search quality evaluators were instructed to pay attention to: The expertise of the creator of the content. The authoritativeness of the creator of the content, the content itself, and the website. The trustworthiness of the creator of the content, the content itself, and the website. Search Engine Journal - What Exactly is EAT

I advise you not to get too caught up in the specifics of core updates... To be honest, I see it as mostly hype - hype that keeps the SEO business ever relevant... But I digress. Having your thumb on the general principles of the algorithm will help you make informed choices, but getting consumed by the technical aspects of these algorithms will probably confuse you or just distract you from writing content.

The Mobile Revolution

With the rise of mobile devices, Google shifted its algorithm's focus towards mobile-friendliness. Blogs that weren't optimized for mobile suffered in search rankings. Responsive design became a must-have feature for bloggers. Luckily most blogging platforms like that on Wix etc. are automatically optimised for Mobile - so most bloggers do not have to think about this too much.

The first mobile phone with an internet connection - the Nokia 9000

Key Takeaways From The Evolution of Google's Ranking Factors

Understanding the evolution of Google's ranking factors is crucial for creating SEO-friendly blog posts, but understanding the details is not necessary, here are the main areas that Google considers important (inn no particular order):

Content Quality

In the early days of blogging, content quality was often overlooked. However, Google's algorithms became smarter, and content quality became a significant ranking factor. Today, well-researched, comprehensive, and authoritative content tends to rank higher.

User Experience

User experience (UX) is a critical factor in SEO. Google considers factors like page load speed, mobile-friendliness, and a clutter-free layout when ranking pages. Ensuring a positive user experience is essential for blog success.

Backlinks

Backlinks, or inbound links from other reputable websites, remain a crucial ranking factor. However, Google's algorithms have become more sophisticated in evaluating the quality and relevance of these links. Building natural, high-quality backlinks is vital.

Keyword Optimization

Keyword optimization has evolved from keyword stuffing to a more natural integration of keywords. Long-tail keywords and semantic search have become significant trends. Strive for relevance and user intent when using keywords in your blog posts.

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Best Practices for Writing SEO-Friendly Blog Posts

Now that we've covered the historical context and evolution of SEO for blogs, let's delve into the best practices to help you write SEO-friendly blog posts in the modern era.

1. Keyword Research and Optimization

- Keyword Research

Start by conducting thorough keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to discover high-traffic, low-competition keywords.

- Natural Integration

Once you have your keywords, integrate them naturally into your content. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can harm your rankings. Focus on providing value and relevance to readers.

2. Quality Content

- Comprehensive and In-Depth

Create comprehensive and in-depth content that thoroughly addresses the topic. High-quality, informative content is more likely to attract backlinks and rank well.

- Engaging Writing

Write engaging, well-structured content that keeps readers on your page. Use headings, bullet points, and images to break up text and enhance readability.

3. Meta Tags and Descriptions

- Title Tags

Craft compelling title tags that accurately represent your content and include your target keyword. Keep them concise (around 60 characters) and attention-grabbing.

- Meta Descriptions

Write informative meta descriptions that encourage users to click on your link. Include your keyword naturally while describing the content's value.

4. Mobile Optimization

- Responsive Design

Ensure your blog is responsive and mobile-friendly. Google prioritizes mobile-optimized websites in its rankings.

5. Page Speed

- Fast Loading Times

Optimize your blog's loading times. Users expect pages to load quickly, and Google rewards fast-loading sites with higher rankings.

6. Internal and External Links

- Internal Links

Use internal links to connect related content within your blog. This helps users navigate your site and boosts SEO.

- High-Quality External Links

Include relevant external links to authoritative sources. This can enhance your content's credibility.

7. Visual Content

- High-Quality Images

Incorporate high-quality images, infographics, and videos into your blog posts when relevant. Visual content enhances engagement and can earn backlinks.

8. Social Sharing

- Social Media Integration

Make it easy for readers to share your content on social media. Social signals can indirectly impact your rankings.

9. Long-Form Content

- Comprehensive Guides

Consider creating long-form content, such as ultimate guides or tutorials. Google often rewards well-researched, lengthy content with higher rankings.

10. Regular Updates

- Fresh Content

Update your blog regularly with fresh content. Google tends to favor active websites that provide up-to-date information.

Are you ready to write your blog?

The Blog Writing Minimums: Keywords, Word Count, Images, and Post Length

As a blogger, you might wonder about the minimum requirements for keywords, word count, images, and post length. While there are no strict rules, some general guidelines can help.

Minimum Keywords per Post

There is no fixed minimum number of keywords you must feature in a blog post. Instead, focus on using keywords naturally and ensuring they align with the content's topic and user intent. Aim for a primary keyword and a few related keywords.

Minimum Word Count per Post

While blog posts can vary widely in length, a general recommendation is to aim for a minimum of 1,500 to 2,000 words for informative, comprehensive content. However, shorter posts can be effective for certain topics or niches, as long as they provide value.

Minimum Images per Post

Incorporating images is essential for enhancing the visual appeal and engagement of your blog posts. Aim for at least one high-quality image per 500 words of content, but use images when they genuinely enhance the user experience or illustrate key points.

Minimum Post Length

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the minimum length of a blog post. Focus on delivering valuable content that fully addresses the topic. If you can do that concisely in 800 words, that's perfectly acceptable. However, longer, in-depth posts often perform better in search results.

How often should you blog (blogging frequency)

Blog traffic spikes when a company reaches 11 blog posts per month, compared to less frequent blogging. - Hubspot study on b2b blogging frequency

This is a very common question for a lot of new bloggers, how often should I blog to see an increase in my traffic, or how often do I need to blog for it to have an effect on my SEO.

I want to stress here that there is no right answer to these questions and that before you focus on frequency of posting you should be focusing on the minimums that I wrote about above. If you post 100 "bad quality" blogs every week it will actually have a negative impact on your traffic and your SEO. The Google Algorithm is very complex; it not only looks at the quality of the content on a site but also how much interest that content garners from the website audience. If your content gets no attention from your audience, Google will start to see you whole site as potentially " not valuable". So again, I really stress the idea: QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

Now, let's assume every blog post you write is a quality post - how often should you blog. According to a few studies that I have read there is a significant benefit in posting regularly with average optimum frequency being 1 blog post per week. That said, the peak advantage went to sites that posted between 10 - 12 blogs per week. After that, the benefit of regular posting plateaus dramatically and so most experts recommend scheduling blog posts in excess of 11 posts for the following week.

It has to be said that there seems to be a bigger benefit in being consistent over a long period of time rather than posting a high number of posts every week for a relatively short period of time. In other words, posting three times a week for 4 months and then stopping will not be as effective as posting 1 blog post per week for 1 year. Have a look at this post about Blogging Frequency to learn more on the topic.

I would rank the importance of these blogging factors like this:

1. Quality

2. Consistency

3. Frequency

The ultimate goal for a blog writer or website with a blog should be to post quality content consistently at a sustainable frequency over a long period of time.

Conclusion

In the dynamic world of blogging and SEO, staying up to date with best practices is essential. Understanding the history of blog writing, its evolution alongside SEO, and Google's ever-changing ranking factors can help you create blog posts that not only rank well but also provide value to your audience. By implementing the best practices outlined in this guide and adapting to future developments, you'll be well-equipped to excel in the competitive world of online content creation. Of course this guide is not an exhaustive list and there are other things like document structure or using quotes etc. that we have not covered - but I have purposefully left those out because no matter how your post is structured it should conform the best practices I have outlined within this post.

A note on AI generated blog post writing

You may have noticed that I did not touch on using AI to generate blog posts... This is because whether or not you use AI to generate your blog posts the fundamentals of effective blog post writing will stay the same. I discourage people from using AI because more often than not it makes the writer lazy. Any good writer knows the power of self editing and revisions - most people who use AI to generate blog posts don't even edit them (or even read them). If you are going to use AI to generate your blog posts, make you sure that you edit them and ensure that they include the "minimums" that I wrote about above. So long as your blog meets those minimum requirements, it doesn't really matter whether AI did the brunt of the work or not.

My final thought on Blog Writing for SEO

If you take one thing away from this blog post let it be this: Quality blogs provide value to your audience and Google is always looking to provide value to searchers.