SEO Basics
Have you ever wondered how Google decides which websites show up first in search results? Understanding the basics of SEO is the first step to improving your website’s visibility and attracting more organic traffic.
In this blog, we’ll break down how Google ranks websites and what you can do to boost your chances of appearing at the top.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. This is the process of improving your website, so it appears higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) when people search for relevant terms.
The higher your site ranks, the more visibility, clicks, and potential customers you’ll get, without paying for ads.
How Does Google Rank Websites?
Google cra
wls and indexes web pages on the internet to analyse and categorise the content. It uses a complex algorithm (with over 200 ranking factors) to decide which web pages best answer a user’s search query. While the exact formula is top secret, we do know some of the key areas Google focuses on:
Relevance
Google wants to show users the most relevant content for their search. It looks at:
- Keywords in your page title, headings, and content
- How well your page matches the search intent (informational, transactional, etc.)
- Whether your content answers the user’s question clearly and thoroughly
Tip: Use keywords naturally and focus on what your audience is actually searching for.
Quality Content
Content is still king. Google prioritises content that is:
- Original and well-written
- Authoritative and trustworthy
- Helpful and easy to read
Tip: Focus on solving your audience’s problems or answering their questions better than anyone else.
User Experience (UX)
Google cares about how users interact with your site. It considers:
- Page load speed – Slow sites frustrate users.
- Mobile-friendliness – Most searches now happen on mobile.
- Clear navigation – Can users easily find what they need?
Tip: Design with the user in mind and test your site on different devices.
Backlinks
Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are like votes of confidence. The more high-quality, relevant sites that link to you, the more trustworthy Google sees your content.
Tip: Focus on creating great content that is easily shareable. PR and guest blogging can help too.
Technical SEO
Even the best content won’t rank if search engines can’t crawl and index your site properly. Key areas include:
- XML sitemaps
- Clean URL structure
- No broken links
- Secure website (HTTPS)
Tip: Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor and fix any technical issues.
Freshness
Google often prioritises newer content, especially for topics that change frequently, like news or trends.
Tip: Keep your content up to date and refresh older posts with new stats or insights. You should check your SEO at least month a month.
Final Thoughts
SEO helps Google understand your site and prove that you offer value to users. By focusing on relevant content, great user experience, and clean site structure, you’ll be well on your way to better rankings.
With consistency and the right strategy, SEO can become one of your most powerful tools for long-term growth.