As a business, being found on Google is one of the most crucial ways to connect with your consumers and potential customers. However, ranking highly on Google and other search engines isn’t easy, and involves a little thing you’ve probably heard of – SEO. Whether you’re running a small business, managing a blog, or just want your website to stop hiding in the depths of Google, SEO is something worth wrapping your head around.
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started. This blog will go through the basics of SEO without the jargon overload. By the end, you’ll (hopefully!) have a better understanding of what SEO is, why it matters, and how to take some simple first steps to improve your online visibility.
Ok, Seriously, what is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and it’s all about making your website more attractive to search engines like Google (or Bing, if you’re feeling adventurous). In simple terms, SEO is the process of improving your site so that when someone searches for a product, service, or answer related to what you offer, your website has a better chance of popping up near the top of the search results.
Think of Google as a matchmaker. Its job is to pair people searching for something with the most relevant, trustworthy, and useful websites. Making your website more appealing in Google’s eyes is how you can increase visibility.
Why Does It Matter?
When was the last time you clicked through to page two of Google results? We’re guessing probably never…
Most people stick to the first few results on page one, and if your site isn’t there, it’s essentially invisible.
SEO helps you:
- Increase visibility: Be found by people searching for what you do.
- Build credibility: People tend to trust websites that rank highly.
- Drive traffic: More visitors mean more opportunities for sales, leads, or engagement.
- Save money: Unlike paid ads, organic search results don’t cost you per click.
In short, good SEO can be the difference between a trickle of visitors and a steady stream of potential customers.
The Building Blocks
1. Keywords: speaking your customer’s language
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for something. For example, someone might search for ‘best coffee in Melbourne’ or ‘eco-friendly cleaning products Sydney.’
To use keywords effectively:
- Do some research: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Answer the Public, or Ubersuggest can help you discover what people are searching for.
- Be specific: Instead of trying to rank for a huge, competitive word like ‘coffee,’ aim for more specific phrases like ‘specialty coffee roasters in Melbourne.’ These are called long-tail keywords.
- Use them naturally: Sprinkle keywords into your titles, headings, and text, but don’t overdo it. Google’s smart enough to spot ‘keyword stuffing’ (also, readers will find it annoying and impersonal).
2. On-page SEO: making your site visible
On-page SEO is all about optimising the content on your website. This includes things like:
- Title tags: These are the titles that appear in Google results. They should be descriptive, clear, and include your keyword.
- Meta descriptions: The little snippet under the title in search results. It’s your chance to convince someone to click.
- Headings (H1, H2, etc.): Break up your content with headings that include relevant keywords.
- Alt text: Descriptions for images. These are helpful for search engines and accessibility.
- Internal links: Linking to other pages on your website makes it easier for Google (and your visitors) to navigate.
3. Content: the heart of SEO
If there’s one golden rule in online marketing, it’s this: content is key. Google loves websites that provide useful, relevant, and up-to-date information. The more value you provide to your visitors, the more likely Google is to reward you with better rankings.
Good SEO-friendly content is:
- Relevant: It answers the questions your audience is asking.
- Engaging: Easy to read, well-structured, and engaging.
- Regularly updated: Fresh content signals to Google that your site is alive and well.
- Varied: Blogs, videos, infographics, and guides can all work wonders.
Pro tip: Write for people first – not Google! If your content genuinely helps or entertains your audience, SEO benefits will follow.
4. Technical SEO: behind the scenes
This is the less glamorous but very important side of SEO. Technical SEO makes sure your site is easy for Google to crawl and index. Some key things to check:
- Site speed: Slow-loading websites frustrate users and get penalised by Google.
- Mobile-friendliness: With most searches happening on phones, your site must look good on smaller screens.
- Secure connection (HTTPS): A secure site builds trust and is a ranking factor.
- Sitemaps: These serve as a roadmap for Google to understand your site’s structure.
You don’t need to become a developer to tackle technical SEO, but it’s worth checking these basics.
5. Off-page SEO: building authority
Off-page SEO is everything you do outside of your website to boost its reputation and authority. The big one here is backlinks, which refer to links from other websites to yours.
The idea is simple: if credible sites link to you, Google sees your website as more trustworthy. Think of backlinks as a digital word of mouth.
How to build them:
- Create shareable content: Guides, infographics, or resources people want to link to.
- Guest posts: Write for other businesses’ blogs in your industry.
- Be active on social media: The more visibility your content gets, the more likely it is to earn links.
Common Myths
Because SEO is constantly evolving, myths tend to emerge. Let’s clear a few up:
- ‘SEO is a one-time job.’ – Nope. SEO is ongoing. Google updates its algorithms regularly, and your competitors aren’t standing still.
- ‘It’s all about keywords.’ – Keywords matter, but so does user experience, quality content, and site performance.
- ‘You’ll see results overnight.’ – Unfortunately, SEO takes time. Think months, not days.
- ‘Social media doesn’t affect SEO.’ – While social media shares don’t directly boost rankings, they do increase visibility and can lead to more backlinks.
How to Get Started with SEO
Feeling inspired, but unsure where to begin? Here are a few easy wins you can start on right now:
- Check your website speed (use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights).
- Make sure your site is mobile-friendly.
- Research a few key phrases your ideal customers might search for.
- Optimise your page titles and meta descriptions.
- Start a blog (or refresh your current one) with content your audience cares about.
- Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console – they’re free and packed with insights.
The Oraco Team are Here to Help!
SEO might sound complicated at first, but at its core, it’s about creating a great website experience and making sure people can find you when they need you most. By focusing on keywords, content, and a user-friendly site, you’re already ahead of many.
Think of SEO as an investment rather than a quick fix. It takes time and effort, but the payoff – a steady stream of organic traffic and long-term online visibility – is worth it.
And if all this still feels overwhelming? Don’t worry, that’s exactly what agencies like us are here for. We help businesses untangle the SEO web, build strategies that work, and make sure your website doesn’t just exist, but thrives. Get in touch with us today.
