What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

 

SEO is a marketing discipline that focuses on increasing visibility in organic (non-paid) search engine results.  Includes both technical and creative elements needed to improve SEO rankings, drive traffic and increase search engine awareness.  There are many aspects of SEO, from the word of your page to the way other sites on the web link to you.  Sometimes SEO is about making sure your site is structured in a way that search engines can understand.

SEO is not just about creating search engine-friendly websites.  It's about making your site better for people.

This guide is designed to cover all areas of SEO: from searching for terms and phrases that generate traffic to your website, to making your site search engine friendly, creating links and marketing your site's unique value. If you're confused about this thing, you're not alone, and we're here to help

Why do I need website SEO?

SEO: Most web traffic comes from major commercial search engines Google, Bing, and Yahoo!  Is powered by  While social media and other types of traffic can generate visits to your website, search engines are the primary method of navigation for most Internet users.  True whether your site provides content, services, products, information, or anything else.

Search engines are unique in that they deliver targeted traffic - people are looking for your offer.  Search engines are the roadblocks that cause this.  If search engines can't find your site or add your content to their database, you miss the incredible opportunities to drive traffic to your site.

Search queries - the words that users type in the search box - carry great value.  Experience has shown that search engine traffic can create (or break) the success of an organization.  A website's targeted traffic can provide promotion, revenue, and exposure just like no other marketing channel.  Investing in SEO can have an exceptional rate of return compared to other types of marketing and promotion.

Why can't search engines find my site without SEO?

SEO: Search engines are smart, but they still need help.  Major engines are always working to improve their technology so that the web can be crawled more deeply and better results can be returned to the users.  However, there is a limit to how search engines can work.  While proper SEO can net you thousands of visitors and increase attention, the wrong steps can hide your site deep in search results where visibility is minimal.

In addition to providing content to search engines, SEO helps increase rankings so that searchers will find it more easily. The Internet is becoming increasingly competitive, and SEO companies will have a definite advantage among visitors and customers.

Can I do SEO for myself?

The world of SEO is complex, but most people can easily understand the basics.  Even a small amount of knowledge can make a big difference.  Free SEO education is widely available on the web with this type of guide.  Combine this with a little practice and you are well on your way to becoming a guru.

Depending on your time commitment, your desire to learn, and the complexity of your website (s), you may decide that you need an expert to handle things for you.  Companies that practice SEO may vary;  Some have a very special focus, others take a broader and more general approach.

However, it is best to have a firm grasp of the core concepts.