How to Start with SEO (Step-by-Step Guide)

Got a date and want to impress them with a fancy restaurant? You can count on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to help you find one. SEO is what allows search engines like Google to scour the internet and quickly deliver the most relevant results to your question.

Without it, you’d be glued to your screen for minutes or even hours, looking for the right answer. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how SEO works at a basic level, and explore techniques to get content discovered — both by you and your audience.

What is Keyword Research?

Keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing search terms that people use on Google to discover content. In order for your content to be understood by search engines and seen by potential consumers, you need to prioritize keywords that will help your content rank higher in Google search results.

How to Find Keywords

Try using Google Keyword Planner — choose a topic and write down 5 keywords with high search volume.

Optimize On-Page SEO

What is On-Page SEO?

On-Page SEO is optimizing your web pages to improve your search engine rankings, and gain organic traffic — a critical concept to learn when starting with SEO for beginners. Search engines need to not only discover your content, but also gauge its relevance to a potential consumer’s search inquiry.

Key Elements of On-Page SEO Elements

On-Page SEO consists of several key elements such as meta descriptions, page speed, headings, internal linking, and image optimization. These factors help optimize your website for both user experience and search engine visibility.

Title Tags & Meta Descriptions

Title tags are one of the most essential SEO elements, impacting user experience and search rankings. A title tag is the first impression a user receives about your page and its content. A clear and intriguing title tag can make the difference between a user clicking on your page or scrolling past it.

Meta Descriptions

A meta description provides a short summary of what a particular page’s content is about. Meta descriptions appear in Google search results as a short summary below the title tag. While meta descriptions don’t directly impact rankings, they help influence click-through rate (CTR) — improving your chance of ranking higher and building authority with quality content.

Best Practices for Writing Meta Descriptions

A well written meta description is important for SEO and user engagement because it helps a user see that your content is relevant, and a potential solution to their inquiry. Google will rewrite your meta description if it doesn’t clearly align with your page, so it’s important to create a strong and relevant meta description to prevent that. If you want to make a great meta description, try incorporating these key guidelines the next time you’re writing one!

• Keep it under 160 characters so it displays properly in search results without being cut off.
• Use action-driven language that speaks directly to the reader (e.g., “Learn how…”, “Discover tips…”).
• Include your primary keyword naturally to help users quickly identify relevance.
• Summarize your content clearly so users know what to expect before clicking.
• Avoid keyword stuffing or repeating phrases just to rank higher — focus on clarity.
• Write for humans first, not just search engines. Make your meta compelling and readable.

Example Meta Description:

“Learn essential SEO techniques to improve rankings, drive traffic, and boost visibility on Google. Amazing tips for beginners!”

This description follows all the best practices! It’s under 160 characters, keyword-rich, uses action-driven wording, and gives readers a clear idea of how valuable the content is.

Now that you’ve learned how to write a solid meta description, apply these best practices to your next blog post or page update — a small detail that makes a great difference!

Headings and Subheadings

Headings and subheadings (like H1-H6), are phrases at the start of sections that help a user understand what they’re about to read. Readers can feel overwhelmed when provided a lot of information at once, they help guide them through your web page. Headings and subheadings are essential for search engine optimization (SEO) because they help simplify a page’s structure and clarify what it’s about. Learn more about heading structure here.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when utilizing headings and subheadings on your page:

• Use only one H1 tag per page, usually for the title of the page or post.
• Use H2 tags to separate major sections, and H3s for sub-points under each section.
• Include relevant keywords in your headings when it fits naturally.
• Make your headings descriptive and clear, so readers understand what to expect.
• Avoid using headings just for styling. They should provide structure, not just visual emphasis.
• Don’t stuff keywords. Focus on clarity and helpfulness over repetition.

Internal Linking

Internal linking is the act of linking one page on your website to another. This helps users easily navigate your site by reducing the time it takes to locate what they’re looking for, while also encouraging them to explore other relevant content you offer. Internal links helps search engines understand the layout of your site, and what pages are most important.

Consider these internal linking tips to keep your page SEO-friendly and simple to navigate:

• Link to relevant pages that expand on the topic or provide helpful context.
• Use descriptive anchor text that clearly tells the reader what they’ll find if they click.
• Avoid using generic phrases like “click here”: aim for specific and keyword-rich wording.
• Don’t overload your page with links: focus on quality and relevance, not quantity.
• Link to deeper pages, not just your homepage or top-level categories.
• Make sure your links feel natural, fitting into the flow of your content.

Image Optimization

Image optimization is the practice of using the right image formats, sizes, and descriptions to improve both user experience and search engine visibility. Properly optimized images prevent your webpage from slowing down and help readers stay engaged with your content. Search engines can’t “see” images like we can, but they understand alt text, file names, and image descriptions, making it easier to understand your page and rank it accurately.

Try these best practices when optimizing images for SEO:

• Use descriptive file names for your images (e.g., seo-graph.png instead of IMG0023.png).
• Add alt text that clearly describes the image content for accessibility and search engines.
• Compress your images to reduce file size and improve page loading speed.
• Choose the right image format — JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics, SVG for icons.
• Make images responsive so they scale properly across all screen sizes.
• Only include images that add value to the content — don’t use visuals just for decoration.

Wow! You just went from knowing nothing about SEO to understanding some of the most important on-page concepts. You now understand keyword research to find what your audience is searching for, and more importantly, how to optimize your content with elements like images, headings, and internal links so it’s actually discoverable.

Don’t let it go to waste — try out these tips and start tracking how your visibility improves!

Thanks for reading!

I’m transitioning into digital marketing (SEO, content, analytics) and always open to connecting and learning from others.