SEO for beginners: how to get started

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Want your website to rank on Google and attract organic traffic? Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into simple steps makes it manageable. Here’s what you need to know.

What is SEO and why does it matter?

SEO is the process of optimising your website to rank higher in search results, making it easier for potential visitors to find you. While paid ads offer quick visibility, SEO is a long-term strategy that drives sustainable, organic traffic.

Key SEO factors you control
1. Content optimisation

Content is crucial for SEO. Focus on:

  • Keywords: use terms your audience searches for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs can help.
  • Headings & structure: use H1 for main titles, H2s for subheadings, and H3s for further divisions.
  • Metadata: optimise page titles and descriptions with relevant keywords.
  • Internal linking: link to related pages on your site to boost SEO and navigation.
  • Content Freshness: update your content regularly — Google favors fresh, relevant information.
2. Site structure & user experience (UX)

A well-structured site improves both usability and search rankings. Key elements include:

  • Clear navigation – ensure visitors can find what they need easily.
  • Clean URLs – use descriptive, keyword-rich URLs instead of random numbers.
  • Breadcrumbs – improve navigation and help search engines index your pages properly.
3. Page speed & performance

Google prioritises fast websites. Improve your speed by:

  • Optimising images – compress and use WebP format.
  • Minifying CSS & JavaScript – remove unnecessary code.
  • Using caching – speed up page load times with WP Rocket or similar tools.
  • Reducing plugins – too many can slow down your site.
4 Mobile responsiveness

With over 60% of web traffic coming from mobile, Google ranks mobile-friendly sites higher.

  • Use a responsive design that adapts to all screen sizes.
  • Ensure buttons and links are easily clickable on mobile.
  • Optimise font sizes and images for smaller screens.

P.S. All of my templates support these features!

Your hosting provider affects SEO

Your hosting impacts:

  • Website speed – a slow server hurts rankings.
  • Security (SSL/HTTPS) – secure sites rank higher.
  • Uptime – frequent downtime affects visibility.

Simply.com offers fast, SEO-friendly hosting, making it a strong alternative to slower providers like Bluehost.

Getting indexed & ranking faster

After optimising your site, speed up the process by:

  • Submitting your site to Google Search Console.
  • Creating and submitting a sitemap.
  • Getting backlinks from reputable websites.
Final thoughts

SEO is a long-term game that requires ongoing optimisation. By improving content, structure, speed, and mobile experience, you’ll set a solid foundation for organic traffic.

If you’re using WooCommerce, pairing it with Elementor makes SEO optimization even easier. Elementor’s visual tools help you structure content effectively without coding.

Got SEO questions? Drop them in the comments — I’d love to hear from you!

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