In this lesson on SEO Fundamentals for Business I explain clearly: What is SEO? In short, search engine optimization is the process of optimizing your web pages according to the ranking factors for your targeted search queries in search engines in order to rank at top positions in organic or non-paid search results.
I will walk you through why search engines choose results, the logical steps of an SEO campaign, and how to keep your efforts working over time.
Table of Contents
- How do search engines decide which results to show for each search query?
- What is the definition of search engine optimization and how should I think about it?
- What are the main steps in an SEO process I follow?
- What is keyword research and why is it important?
- What does on-page SEO involve?
- What is technical SEO and when should I do it?
- What is off-page SEO and how does link building fit in?
- How do I monitor and maintain SEO over time?
- What results should I expect and what will I focus on next?
- What is SEO?
How do search engines decide which results to show for each search query?
I start with a simple idea: a search engine delivers the most relevant search for each search query. To do that, search engines use something called ranking factors to decide the best search results for a query.
The ranking factors describe internal rules and guidelines that each search engine uses to determine the best results for the user. Google never discloses their ranking factors in full, but experts estimate that there are over 200 of them. Understanding this helps answer the practical question: What is SEO? — it’s the act of aligning your pages with those ranking signals.
What is the definition of search engine optimization and how should I think about it?
Here is the formal definition I use in my lessons: Search engine optimization is the process of optimizing your web pages according to the ranking factors for your targeted search queries in search engines in order to rank at top positions in organic or non-paid search results. In practice this means studying your market, finding the right user intent, and adjusting your site content and code so search engines can understand and reward it.
What are the main steps in an SEO process I follow?
I break the SEO process into five logical steps. These steps make our job easier to focus and keep a solid workflow on SEO optimization. The steps are:
- Keyword research
- On-page SEO
- Technical SEO
- Off-page SEO (link building)
- Tracking and maintenance
What is keyword research and why is it important?
Keyword research is a process of analyzing your market or industry to find relevant, right user intent and profitable search queries also known as keywords or key phrases for your web pages. I emphasize “user intent” because matching intent is the most durable way to rank and convert visitors into customers.
What does on-page SEO involve?
On-page SEO optimization is the process of optimizing contextual and logical search engine ranking factors within your websites and web pages. This includes content, headings, internal linking, and making sure each page clearly matches the keyword intent you are targeting.
What is technical SEO and when should I do it?
Technical SEO optimization is the process of optimizing technical or code level or website level search engine ranking factors within your website. This covers site speed, crawlability, structured data, indexing rules, and other code-level issues that affect how search engines access and understand your content.
What is off-page SEO and how does link building fit in?
Off-page SEO optimization is a process of optimizing for ranking factors that are outside of your website. This step is commonly known as the backlink process or link building process. Quality external signals remain a major ranking factor, so a strategic approach to relationships and outreach is essential.
How do I monitor and maintain SEO over time?
The final step is recurring: tracking and maintenance. This is a process for monitoring, maintaining and re-optimizing your SEO campaign or efforts by analyzing existing data, watching for new industry updates and news, and adjusting our content or SEO process accordingly. SEO is never “set and forget”; it requires continual attention.
What results should I expect and what will I focus on next?
Each of these logical steps is very, very important to have a successful SEO campaign. In future lessons I will focus on each of these steps in very, very detailed form to give you maximum SEO knowledge and get the maximum benefit out of it. For now, understand that SEO is systematic: research, optimize pages, fix technical problems, build authority, and maintain your gains.
What is SEO?
Search engine optimization is the process of optimizing your web pages according to ranking factors for your targeted search queries so they can rank at top positions in organic search results.
How many ranking factors does Google use?
Google never discloses their ranking factors in full, but experts estimate that there are over 200 ranking factors.
Which SEO step should I start with?
Start with keyword research. Find relevant search queries and understand user intent before you create or optimize pages.
Is SEO a one-time task?
No. SEO requires tracking and maintenance. You must monitor performance, analyze data, and re-optimize when industry updates or new opportunities appear.
Can I do all SEO myself?
Yes, you can learn and apply each step yourself. However, many businesses choose to get help for technical SEO or large-scale link building work.
