Welcome, new website creators! If you are searching for how to better your SEO, we wrote out every strategy a new website SEO checklist needs. Lucky you!
In this guide, we’ll explore a crucial aspect of online success: SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
It might sound a bit technical, but don’t worry – we’re here to make it simple and accessible.
Throughout this guide, we’ll maintain a friendly and informative tone, breaking down SEO into easy-to-understand steps.
Let’s get started and make your website shine on the web!
Table of Contents
Why SEO Matters for Your New Website
Ever wonder why SEO is a big deal? SEO makes sure your site is easily seen by people searching online.
Imagine it as your website’s superhero cape, helping it stand out in the crowded online world. Throughout this guide, we’ll show you how to be the superhero of your website’s story.
In a nutshell, SEO boosts your website’s visibility, making it more likely for people to discover and love what you’ve created. It’s all about making your website shine and catching the eye of those who are looking for exactly what you offer.
You may be wondering- “Does my new website really need SEO?” The short answer is yes, and here’s why:
SEO is key to unlocking online success. It helps your website show up when people search for things related to what you offer. Without SEO, it’s like having a fantastic party but forgetting to send out invitations – people might not know it’s happening.
Now that we know how important it is to be implementing SEO on your new website, let’s go into how to actually do it!
How to Create Your SEO Strategy
Okay, let’s talk strategy – but don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple and super useful.
Think of your SEO strategy as a recipe for success. It has different ingredients that, when combined just right, make your website stand out in the online world.
When looking at these strategies, keep in mind these key components:
1. Keywords: These are the words people use when searching. To learn more, check out this easy guide on how to find keywords for beginners.
2. Content: Creating awesome, helpful content is key. According to Google, having helpful and high-quality content goes a long way in ranking.
3. Links: Connecting your site with others is like making friends. A healthy backlink profile and strong interlinks are essential for Off-Page and On-Page SEO.
4. Off-Page Help: Earn high-fives from other websites. Quality backlinks boost your website’s popularity.
5. Technical Audits: Optimize your site’s speed and make it mobile-friendly. This is like giving your website a turbo boost.
Related: SEO Glossary for Beginners
As important as everything else is in these strategies, if you’re new to SEO those 5 components are a great way to start.
On-Page SEO Strategy
NOTE: this strategy is important for what
happens on the landing-pages.
- Title Tags:
- Craft catchy and descriptive titles for each page.
- Include relevant keywords to tell search engines what your page is about.
- Heading Tags:
- Use clear and organized headings (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content.
- Headings should give a snapshot of what each section is about.
- Content Quality:
- Create engaging and valuable content that solves a problem or answers a question.
- Use a mix of text, images, and multimedia to keep visitors interested.
- Keyword Optimization:
- Place your keywords naturally within the content.
- Avoid keyword stuffing – make it sound natural and helpful.
- User-Friendly URLs:
- Keep URLs simple, informative, and easy to read.
- Include relevant keywords in the URL when possible.
- Internal Linking:
- Link to other relevant pages within your site.
- Helps users navigate and improves the overall structure of your site.
Off-Page SEO Strategy
NOTE: this strategy is important for what
happens outside of your website.
- Quality Backlinks:
- Earn links from reputable and relevant websites.
- Quality matters more than quantity – focus on links from authoritative sources.
- Social Media Presence:
- Be active on social media platforms related to your niche.
- Share your content and resources online.
- Engage with your audience.
- Online Reviews:
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
- Respond to reviews, whether positive or negative, to show you care.
- Guest Blogging:
- Write guest posts for other websites in your industry.
- It builds your authority and introduces your website to new audiences.
- Influencer Partnerships:
- Collaborate with influencers in your niche.
- Their endorsement can boost your website’s credibility.
Technical SEO Strategy
NOTE: this strategy is important for what
happens inside the structuring of your website.
- Website Speed:
- Optimize images and use reliable servers.
- Faster websites provide a better user experience and rank better in SERPs.
- Mobile-Friendly Design:
- Check that your pages function well and look good on mobile devices.
- Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results.
- Secure HTTPS Connection:
- Switch to HTTPS to secure data transmission.
- Google favors secure websites, and it builds trust with users.
- XML Sitemap:
- Create and submit an XML sitemap to search engines.
- It helps search engines understand the structure of your site.
- Crawlability:
- Check for and fix any crawl errors using Google Search Console.
- Ensure search engines can easily navigate your website.
Related: On-Page vs. Off-Page SEO – What’s the Difference?
SEO Audit and Continuous Improvement
The core of continuous improvement and involvement in your SEO strategies are the audits.
Essentially, you are regularly checking your website’s health and finding ways to make it even better. It’s giving your site a checkup, understanding what’s working well, and figuring out where it can do better.
So regularly assessing website performance is crucial.
It’s akin to a coach helping a team improve – we pinpoint areas that can be stronger, whether it’s making content more engaging or enhancing how the website functions.
Follow this audit checklist to help you keep up with your SEO:
- Content Quality Audit
- Ensure your content is engaging and valuable. Check for clear language, helpful information, and appealing visuals.
- Keyword Performance Audit
- See how well your chosen keywords are doing. Are they bringing in the right audience? Adjust if needed.
- Ruler Analytics wrote a great article on how to measure keyword performance.
- Backlink Check
- Examine links to your site. Quality matters more than quantity. Ensure they’re from reputable sources.
- Page Speed Audit
- Check how fast your pages load. Faster page speeds create a better user experience (which Google likes).
- Lighthouse is a great, free SEO tool to gain insight into page speed on any URL.
- Mobile-Friendliness Audit
- Ensure your whole website works properly and looks good on mobile devices. Many people use phones to browse.
- Use Google Search Console to check how your pages are doing on mobile devices.
- Technical SEO Check
- Look under the hood of your site. Check for any technical issues that might affect search engine rankings.
- Screaming Frog is a great SEO tool for this audit.
- User Experience (UX) Audit
- See how easy it is for visitors to navigate your site. User-friendly sites attract and keep visitors.
- Conversion Rate Audit
- Check how many visitors take desired actions (like making a purchase). Optimize for better conversion.
- Viewing your Google Analytics 4 reports helps you understand what is happening on your site.
- Social Media Presence Audit
- Ensure your social media links work and your profiles align with your brand. Social signals can impact SEO.
- Competitor Analysis
- See what similar websites are doing. Learn from their successes and identify areas where you can stand out.
By performing these audits, you’ll fine-tune your website for success, making sure it’s both user-friendly and search engine-friendly. Regular checks help you stay on top of your site’s performance and make necessary improvements.
Setting Realistic SEO Goals
It’s natural to want your SEO strategies to kick off right away!
Unfortunately, it can take weeks or months to start seeing results. So setting realistic SEO expectations is crucial for properly growing your website and not burning out.
For example, have you heard of Google’s Sandbox? It’s a phenomenon that happens because of the way Google’s algorithms are set up, and essentially it keeps your new website from being viewed by organic traffic until the algorithms deem your content helpful and that you know what you’re talking about.
It can take weeks to even months to get out of this sandbox.
Learning limitations like the sandbox, how long it takes to rank for keywords, and just naturally gaining an audience is important to keep in mind.
In wrapping up our SEO checklists, let’s recap the essentials:
We’ve covered a lot, from the power of SEO for new websites to crafting an effective strategy and setting realistic goals. Now, let’s distill it down to key takeaways.
Key Takeaways:
- SEO is Your Website’s Superpower: It’s not just about rankings; it’s about visibility and value.
- Crafting Your Strategy: Blend on-page, off-page, and technical SEO for a holistic approach.
- Setting Realistic Goals: Start small and grow steadily. Achievable goals lead to lasting success.
Your SEO Action Plan:
- Continuous Keyword Research: Stay current, stay relevant.
- Traffic Generation: Explore platforms and strategies to boost your website’s presence.
- Setting Manageable Goals: Achievable objectives for steady progress.
Friendly Reminder: Approach SEO with a friendly mindset. It’s a journey, not a sprint. Balancing ambition with practicality ensures long-term success.
DIY Success Tips:
- Regular Audits: Keep your site in top shape with regular checkups.
- User Experience Matters: Ensure your site is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
- Social Presence: Connect with your audience on social media for added impact.
Your Next Steps:
- Actively Participate: Implement what you’ve learned.
- Explore Resources: Dive deeper into SEO tools and tips.
- Stay Friendly and Strategic: Approach SEO with a smile and a plan.
Remember, we’re here to assist. Whether you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your website’s success is our shared goal.
Happy Optimizing 🙂
Filtered Selection 