Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital for anyone that has a website. Although it is possible to get traffic to your site without SEO, more people will find you when search engines like Google are ranking you higher.
But you may be asking yourself, “Can I learn SEO on my own?” The answer is yes, anyone can learn how to do SEO. There are many resources online that can help you and teach you the basics, and focusing on on-page SEO is one of the best places to start.
Here is some basic information and resources to help you get started on your SEO journey.
What is SEO?
SEO is a methodology used to improve websites so that search engines such as Google will reward them with higher rankings. There are at least 200 different elements that search engines evaluate. Only after all of this information is collected will Google rank a website.
The tricky part to this is that there are also things that can have a negative effect on your SEO, which you also need to know. Also, Google is often adapting and changing it’s algorithm to best meet the needs of those searching.
Some of the elements include:
- How to increase the load speed of your website
- How to write the metadata for each page and post
- How to evaluate keywords and use them effectively
- How to do on-page optimizations
- How to format images to show up in search results
These are just a few examples. The more you can incorporate into your website, the better you will rank.
SEO Strategy
As important as learning about how SEO works, you also need a good strategy that you can use to measure the effect of SEO on your website. This involves looking at the data from your site to see if what you are implementing is working.
You also need to ask yourself some questions about what you ultimately want from the SEO you are doing.
- Are you looking to create more sales?
- Are you using your site to direct people to another site or app?
- What authority sites can you link to organically?
Once you have answered these questions, you can measure the impact of the SEO and whether your site is fulfilling the strategy.
Where to Learn About SEO
Now that you have a better idea of what you need to learn, let’s look at where you can learn.
There are many options you can use to learn more about SEO. The way you learn depends on what type of learning suits you best. Some people like to see how to do a task, while others prefer to read about it.
Online Training Videos
If you prefer a structured learning experience, you can choose one of the many online SEO courses. These will allow you to learn at your own pace, but still give you all the tools you need. Internet Marketing Gold (IMG) offers a large catalog of courses to choose from depending on your experience level and specific needs.
Streaming sites like YouTube are full of channels that will teach you SEO along with up-to-date news on changes to the algorithm. Trying a few different channels will help you decide whose methods are best for you.
Video courses are often the easiest way to learn SEO because you can see what actions and settings you need to make. You can then relate them directly to your own website.
Books
Books are another good way to learn, and there are countless examples you can use. When it comes to searching for the best book to read, it is a good idea to look at some reviews from other readers.
If you are new to SEO, it is best to start with a basic guide that will ease you into the concept. As you become more confident, you can start to move on to more complex strategies. However, even with just the basics, you should start to see some effect of your new skill.
SEO Teaching Websites
As you might imagine, there are a huge number of websites online that offer SEO training. It is important to be careful when visiting these sites, as some may be trying to sign you up for things you don’t need.
Social Media Groups
Online groups such as those on Facebook can be invaluable. Not only will they give you recommendations on the best sites and books to use, but they will also offer advice as well. This can be particularly helpful if you have a question you can’t find the answer to anywhere else.
Conclusion
While it can take time to learn all you need to know about SEO, it is well worth the effort. Not only will you be able to rank higher in web searches, but you will also make the experience better for your visitors.