SEO or Search Engine Optimization is a very important aspect of digital marketing through which any web page ranks in search engines for hundreds of keywords which we simply call RANK.
"Today we will discuss what and why SEO is, as well as how SEO is done and why you should learn SEO. Without further ado let's get started."
What is SEO?
The full form of SEO is “Search Engine Optimization”. In simple words, when we type something in Google or any other search engine, then Google or that search engine shows how many results.
From there we click on the link of our choice and visit our desired website to find our useful information. And the reason why Google or any search engine shows those results, that reason or method is called search engine optimization.
Why is SEO done?
We naturally do SEO to RANK our website in search engines. By doing SEO we try to be at the top of the search engine result page. Because when people search for something, they click on the links that are first on the result page.
Hope an example will make it clear,
Suppose, you have an e-commerce website where you sell exclusive dresses for married women. Now you definitely want your website to appear first on Google when someone searches for exclusive dresses for married women. Then buyers will come to your website link and buy your product.
Now this entire process through which your website will show up on Google for the keyword “exclusive dresses for married women” is what we call SEO in digital marketing parlance. Now you understand why SEO is done?
What are the types of SEO?
In the language of digital marketing, SEO can be of various types. But the basic types we will discuss today.
1. On-Page SEO
On-page SEO involves optimizing individual web pages to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic.
- Content Optimization: Ensuring the content is relevant, high-quality, and includes target keywords.
- Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Crafting compelling and keyword-rich title tags and meta descriptions.
- URL Structure: Creating SEO-friendly URLs that are short and include keywords.
- Internal Linking: Linking to other pages within the same website to improve navigation and crawlability.
- Header Tags: Using H1, H2, H3 tags to organize content and signal its structure to search engines.
- Image Optimization: Using descriptive file names and alt text for images.
2. Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO focuses on building a website's authority and reputation through external factors.
- Backlink Building: Acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable websites.
- Social Media Marketing: Promoting content on social media platforms to drive traffic and engagement.
- Brand Mentions: Encouraging mentions of the brand across the web, even without direct links.
- Guest Blogging: Writing articles for other websites to gain exposure and backlinks.
3. Technical SEO
Technical SEO involves optimizing the technical aspects of a website to improve its crawling and indexing by search engines.
- Site Speed: Ensuring fast load times for better user experience and search engine ranking.
- Mobile-Friendliness: Optimizing the website for mobile devices.
- XML Sitemap: Creating and submitting an XML sitemap to help search engines understand the site structure.
- Robots.txt: Configuring the robots.txt file to control which pages are crawled and indexed.
- HTTPS: Using HTTPS to secure the website and improve ranking.
4. Local SEO
Local SEO focuses on optimizing a website to rank better for local searches.
- Google My Business: Creating and optimizing a Google My Business profile.
- Local Citations: Ensuring the business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across online directories.
- Customer Reviews: Encouraging positive reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and industry-specific sites.
- Local Keywords: Using keywords that are relevant to the local area.
5. Content SEO
Content SEO is a subset of on-page SEO that focuses specifically on content creation and optimization.
- Keyword Research: Targeting the right keywords based on search volume and competition.
- Content Quality: Creating in-depth, high-quality content that provides value to users.
- Content Structure: Organizing content with headings, bullet points, and multimedia for better readability and engagement.
6. E-commerce SEO
E-commerce SEO focuses on optimizing online stores.
- Product Page Optimization: Ensuring product titles, descriptions, and images are optimized for search.
- Category Page Optimization: Structuring category pages to rank well for relevant keywords.
- User-Generated Content: Encouraging reviews and ratings on product pages.
- Schema Markup: Using schema markup to enhance product listings in search results.
Each type of SEO plays a crucial role in developing a comprehensive SEO strategy to enhance a website's visibility and ranking on search engines.
