SEO for the Non-Techies

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. But don’t worry—whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or someone managing your own blog, understanding the basics of SEO can make a significant difference in how people find you online.

Google remains the most popular search engine, and optimizing for Google is essential if you want to be seen by your audience. Using free tools like Google Search Console and Google My Business can help improve your site’s visibility and ensure that people searching for businesses like yours can find you easily.

So, where should you start? Here are three essential areas to focus on if you’re just beginning your SEO journey:

1. Choose the Right Keywords

Keywords are the phrases people type into search engines to find content. Selecting the right keywords means understanding what terms your audience is searching for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help you identify the best keywords for your content.

Once you have your keywords, be sure to use them in key areas of your site:

• Site content: Write naturally, but make sure your keywords appear where they make sense.
• Meta content: Include your keywords in meta titles and descriptions, as these help search engines understand what each page is about.
• Inbound links: Other sites linking to you should also use relevant keywords in their anchor text (the clickable part of a link).

However, be careful not to overuse keywords. “Keyword stuffing” can harm your ranking and make your content hard to read. Aim for a balance that feels natural to your audience.

2. Optimize Your URLs

URLs should be easy to read for both humans and search engines. Clean, descriptive URLs are better than long, complex ones. For example, compare these two:

• Bad: mysite.com/index.php?product=123&category=jeep
• Good: mysite.com/jeep/wrangler

The second URL is more user-friendly and gives a clear indication of what the page is about. If you’re using a modern Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress or Drupal, clean URLs are usually generated automatically. For custom setups, you can use server-side tools like Mod-Rewrite to format your URLs.

Remember, a good URL structure not only helps SEO but also makes it easier for users to navigate and understand your site.

3. Focus on Quality Inbound Links

One of the biggest factors in SEO is the number and quality of links pointing to your site. Search engines view inbound links as a vote of confidence—if reputable sites are linking to your content, it signals that your site is valuable.

But not all links are created equal. Avoid spammy directories or irrelevant sites. Instead, aim for links from reputable, high-authority websites that are relevant to your industry or niche. Here are a few strategies to get those quality links:

• Guest posting: Write articles for other blogs or websites in your field, and include a link back to your site.
• Press releases: Publish news about your business or projects, and make sure to include links to your site.
• Link exchanges: Reach out to businesses or blogs related to yours and see if they’re open to exchanging links or partnerships.

You can also use platforms like HARO to offer your expertise to journalists and bloggers in exchange for backlinks.

Keep Learning and Evolving

SEO isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. Search engines like Google regularly update their algorithms, and new tools and techniques are always emerging. Staying informed and adjusting your strategy as needed will help you maintain and improve your ranking over time.

If you’re feeling lost or unsure where to start, focus on the fundamentals: keyword research, clean URLs, and building high-quality inbound links. These three pillars will give you a strong foundation to grow from, even if you’re not a technical expert.

As you become more comfortable with SEO, you can explore more advanced tactics, but the key is to stay consistent. Over time, you’ll see the results in increased visibility and traffic to your site.