Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) complicated & hard to learn?
Let’s cut through the noise & look at the basics of search engine optimization.
- It makes sense to start with a look at how your brand strategy will impact SEO (pros. + cons.), cost, & effort.
With so many (algo) updates & changes to search engine optimization, managing your site can feel overwhelming.
Confusing information about SEO & Social, dos & don’ts, & old information is all you seem to find with a quick search.
This can be a bit frustrating, so we are simplifying it for you by bringing (relevant) SEO & Branding right to you, here.
Start with the basics of search engine optimization
How SEO applies to your branding, & marketing strategy.
See: Marketing & SEO Library, for all available resources & articles.
Search Engine Optimization terms:
Keywords, optimized content, site design, and organic search results are all parts in successful search engine optimization.
- SEO includes the use of social media
- content marketing, PPC (Pay-Per-Click Advertising) on search engines and on social media
- lead generation, conversion optimization, etc..
- Understanding keywords role in consumer search, “type in” / “exact match” search, & you will be able to better see how does your domain name effect your SEO.
Local Search Engine Optimization, which is still often overlooked.
Whoever or whatever type of business you are, never forget you are local somewhere. It’s important that when you are searched for – what is found includes:
- Positive Reviews, generating positive reviews is an important factor in local search.
- Business Listings, make sure that you are easily found in all relevant searches on and offline.
- Citations – Get your name mentioned, sometimes with a link to your website, on authority sites.
Now we are getting through the surface of search engine optimization.
There is only so much information I can absorb with out seeing how it actually works and getting familiar with the basic tools. So this is a good spot to stop the main vein of this post and call out some SEO tools to let you have a chance to get familiar with them.
Below you will find the primary Analytics tools, Google offers. That’s a good start and tools that are essential to understanding search engine optimization, effective keyword research, and your understanding of the #s produced, Why/what analytics matter to your business, and let you start to see the WWW through the eyes of an algorithm.
To start with the Google SEO tools; review, read the search engine optimization documentation, and get your accounts set up:
- Analytics
- Counsel (webmaster tools)
- Keyword Planner
There are lots of tools and options out there to choose from, take your time and find what works best for you.
We recommend Google’s tools because they comprehensive and are free (mostly). When you are new to SEO they are a great start, as they are very well documented and support is available everywhere.
Learn as much as you can about search engine optimization, even if you don’t think you may put it to active use.
This knowledge can save you a fortune over time. Working with contractors, freelancers, & even your team, within an SEO black box of tools, advertisements, & expenses that are not easily understood – is a big red flag that you can eliminate.
Getting familiar with the Google tools is really important, otherwise you will be completely reliant on others. You need to know whats working and where to point your marketing dollars.
- SEO Strategy: Plan Development
- Keyword Strategy: research , optimization, linking, placement (look out for your own pages competing against each-other in search results.).
- Page and Post Structure:
- Technical SEO & Internal linking.
- & so much more…if you haven’t looked you will be amazed at what Google collects about your visitors.