Feeling Lost with SEO? Don’t Worry, You’re Not Alone.
SEO can seem like a confusing puzzle and sometimes SEO guru’s don’t make things any easier by using industry jargon that makes it hard to understand let alone start. If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering what it all means, I am glad you found us.
My aim here is to make SEO simple and straightforward, cutting through the noise to help you understand what really matters for your website.
Here are 8 common questions about SEO that may be on your mind but never made it to the top of your list to ask.
1. What Exactly Does SEO Mean?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. At its core, it’s about making sure your website is easily found by people searching for the products or services you offer.
Think of it as Google’s job is to match searchers with the most relevant content. SEO is how you make sure your website is the one Google chooses. It involves tweaking your website’s design and content to ensure it meets the standards that search engines are looking for. The better your site is optimised, the more likely it is to show up at the top of search results.
2. Who Actually Needs SEO?
If you’ve got a website and you want people to find it, you need SEO. It’s really that simple.
Consider this scenario: Someone is having trouble sleeping, and they start by searching for “ways to sleep better” or “best remedies for insomnia”. This search is the first step on their journey to finding a solution, which might be a product or service that helps them sleep better.
Now, if your business offers something like weighted blankets designed to improve sleep, you’ll want to make sure your website is the one they find. That’s where SEO comes in. It helps connect your website with people who are searching for exactly what you offer.
3. Who’s Involved in SEO?
SEO is often a team effort, involving several professionals who each play a key role in improving your website’s performance:
-
SEO Consultant/Strategist: This is the person who creates the plan. They’ll assess your website and recommend changes that will help improve your search engine ranking. They might also help implement these changes or provide guidance for you or your team.
-
Web Developer: They handle the technical side of things. Whether your site needs to load faster or requires some behind-the-scenes adjustments, they’ll work on making sure everything runs smoothly according to the SEO strategist’s plan.
-
Copywriter: This person crafts the words on your website, ensuring the content is engaging, informative, and optimised for search engines. Not all copywriters specialise in SEO, so they might need guidance from your SEO expert to get it right.
-
Virtual Assistant: VAs can help with more routine SEO tasks, like optimising images or regularly uploading blog posts. They can be invaluable in freeing up your time so you can focus on other areas of your business.
-
SEO Agency: Sometimes, it’s easier to hire a team that handles everything for you, from strategy to content creation to technical fixes. An SEO agency is typically made up of professionals who work together to ensure all aspects of your SEO are covered.
4. What Do SEO Experts Actually Do?
An SEO expert’s first step is to give your website a thorough check-up—often referred to as an SEO audit. This involves looking at how your site is performing, identifying any issues that could be holding it back, and suggesting ways to improve.
Once the audit is done, the expert will create an SEO strategy to address these issues. This could involve speeding up your site, improving your content, or even redesigning parts of your site to make it more user-friendly. The goal is to fix what’s not working and enhance what is, all to improve your site’s visibility in search engines.
But SEO doesn’t stop there. It’s an ongoing process. Your SEO expert will keep an eye on your site’s performance and make adjustments as needed, especially when Google updates its algorithms. It’s all about keeping your site in good shape so it continues to perform well over time.
5. How Do SEO Keywords Work?
Let’s talk about keywords…the words and phrases that people type into search engines when they’re looking for something. For example:
- “insomnia”
- “ways to sleep better”
- “weighted blanket for insomnia”
These are the terms that could lead someone to your website if your content is optimised correctly.
However, it’s not just about stuffing these keywords into your content. Overusing them, known as keyword stuffing, can actually hurt your rankings. Google has become quite smart at understanding the context of your content, so the key is to use keywords naturally and in a way that makes sense.
Think of keywords as the main focus for each piece of content. By centring your pages around specific keywords or search queries, you’re more likely to attract the right audience. It’s about being strategic and focused, rather than trying to cover every possible keyword.
6. Why Does SEO Take So Long to Show Results?
One of the most frustrating aspects of SEO is that it doesn’t deliver immediate results. That’s because it’s a process, not a quick fix.
First, there’s the time it takes to make the necessary changes—whether it’s technical tweaks, content updates, or a full site overhaul. Even for a small website, getting everything up to scratch can take some time.
Then, there’s the waiting period. Google doesn’t constantly scan your website; some sites might only be re-scanned once a month. This means it can take weeks or even months for the changes you’ve made to start affecting your rankings.
SEO is often described as a snowball effect. You start small, making gradual improvements that build over time. Eventually, these efforts combine to create significant results. But it’s a slow process, and patience is key.
7. Can SEO Be Done for Free?
The good news is, yes, you can do SEO for free. The catch? It requires a lot of time and effort.
There are plenty of free resources out there—guides, tutorials, and tools—that can help you get started. However, not all of this information is reliable, and some of it can even be outdated or incorrect. Google changes its algorithms frequently, so what worked a year ago might not work today.
If you’re willing to put in the time to learn and experiment, it’s possible to improve your SEO without spending any money. However, keep in mind that there’s a risk of doing more harm than good if you’re not careful.
That’s why many people choose to pay for professional SEO services. You’re not just paying for someone’s time—you’re paying for their expertise and experience, which can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
8. Are SEO Tools Really Worth It?
When it comes to SEO tools, some can be incredibly useful, while others might not be worth your time.
For example, tools that help you add meta tags or alt text to images can be great for making sure you’re covering the basics. They can also help with bigger tasks like creating sitemaps or setting up redirections.
However, remember that these tools are often one-size-fits-all. They don’t take into account the unique needs of your audience or the specific goals of your website. For example, a tool might suggest making your content easier to read, but that advice might not be relevant if your audience prefers more detailed or technical information.
So, should you invest in paid SEO tools? It depends on your situation. If you’re doing SEO full-time or running a large website, the investment might be worth it. But for most small businesses, free tools can get the job done.
SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding the basics of what it is, why it matters, and how it works you will be in a good position to improve your website’s visibility.
Whether you choose to tackle SEO on your own or hire a professional, the key is to stay focused on creating a great experience for your users and to be patient as your efforts start to pay off. And remember, while tools and techniques are important, the real success of SEO comes from the strategy and expertise behind it.
