How Do I Improve SEO
A Step By Step guide!
Are you wondering how to improve your SEO and get your website to the first page of Google? In this blog, I'll walk you through step-by-step examples of the exact strategies I used to rank my website for competitive keywords. Whether you're a beginner or looking to fine-tune your SEO skills, this guide covers everything from optimising your website's speed to using Google Business Profile effectively.
You'll learn actionable tips, real-world examples, and practical advice to boost your rankings. Plus, I'll share insider insights on how reviews, backlinks, and content updates can make a big difference. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap to improve your SEO and attract more visitors to your site.
Let's get started!
1 - Optimise Website Loading Speed
Actionable Steps:
- Check Your Site's Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to analyse your website's loading speed.
- Compress Images: Large images can slow down your site. Utilise tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to reduce image sizes without compromising quality.
- Enable Browser Caching: Implement caching mechanisms to store parts of your website in users' browsers, reducing load times on subsequent visits.
Rename Images
Rename images to incorporate relevant keywords and add then to their alt tags to improve SEO.
Use JPeg & WebP
These are the most common image formats, they can be compressed to a fraction of the size of PNG files.
For images, I use JPEG format with a compression setting of 40-60%, depending on the level of detail in the image. Highly detailed images may require slightly lower compression to maintain quality. To save time, I batch convert my images and typically create two sizes: a large version at 1000 pixels wide and a smaller version at 500 pixels wide, compressed to around 45%.
To optimise loading speed, I ensure all images are kept under 200kb. I also rename each image file to include the keyword I’m targeting for the page and add it to it's alt text. This not only improves SEO but also helps search engines better understand the content of the image.
2 - Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
CDNs are becoming increasingly popular with hosting providers and can significantly speed up your website. They work by distributing your website's content across multiple servers worldwide, delivering it to users from the nearest server location.
CDN Benefits
- Faster load times for users across different geographical locations
- Reduced server load and bandwidth costs
- Improved website reliability and availability
Most hosting providers include CDN features and we're one of them! Check out our web hosting services here: Web Hosting Doncaster
3 - Create High-Quality, Relevant Content
High-quality content is the cornerstone of SEO. It’s the primary way to attract and engage your target audience while signaling to search engines that your site provides real value. In today’s digital landscape, where content is being created at an unprecedented pace, it’s never been more important to focus on creating useful, engaging, and well-crafted material.
The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has made it easier than ever to generate content quickly, but not all AI-generated content hits the mark. The key is to use these tools strategically—to assist in brainstorming ideas, refining language, or speeding up repetitive tasks—while ensuring that the final output truly adds value for your readers.
Remember, the goal is to keep your audience on the page by providing information that answers their questions, solves their problems, or teaches them something new. If your content is poorly written, irrelevant, or lacks depth, visitors will leave quickly, increasing your bounce rate and potentially harming your SEO efforts.
To make your content work for both users and search engines, focus on these essentials:
- Add Value: Include actionable tips, unique insights, or real-world examples to make your content stand out.
- Be Engaging: Use a conversational tone, clear structure, and visuals to make your content readable and enjoyable.
- Prioritise Relevance: Align your content with your audience’s needs and ensure it stays on-topic.
By leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT, you can streamline your content creation process without sacrificing quality. Use AI to assist, but always inject your expertise, knowledge, and authenticity into the final product. The goal isn’t just to produce content—it’s to produce content that matters.
Actionable Steps:
- Conduct Keyword Research: Identify topics your audience is interested in using tools like AnswerThePublic or Ubersuggest.
- Develop a Content Strategy: Plan and create content that addresses your audience's questions and problems.
- Update Existing Content: Regularly refresh your content with new information to keep it relevant. I'm posting one to two new blogs a month at the moment with lots of social media posts linking back to them.
Keyword Strategy Tips
Focus on long-tail keywords that have lower competition but higher conversion potential. Create content around those keywords to improve rankings.
For a deeper dive into keyword strategies, read our guide: Mastering Keywords: A Non-Technical Guide for Business Owners
4 - Optimise On-Page Elements
What is On-Page SEO?
On-page SEO refers to the practice of optimising individual web pages to help search engines understand your content and improve your chances of ranking for target keywords. Unlike off-page SEO, which involves external factors like backlinks, on-page SEO is entirely within your control. By making small but strategic changes to your content, structure, and layout, you can significantly boost your site's visibility in search results.
These adjustments may seem minor, but they play a critical role in helping search engines like Google determine the relevance and quality of your content. Below are some simple yet powerful on-page elements you can optimise to make a big difference in your SEO results.
What is an H1 Tag?
An H1 tag is an HTML element that defines the main heading of a web page. It's crucial for SEO as it signals to search engines and users what your page is about. While all web pages are built with HTML, modern platforms like WordPress make it easy to edit without directly touching the code.
In WordPress, headings can be selected using the editor, but they may not always be labelled as "H1." To ensure proper SEO, make sure only one title on your page is set to H1. If you're using a page builder like Elementor, you can assign the H1 tag through its dropdown options.
Always check your headings to ensure only one H1 tag is used per page to avoid confusing search engines and maintain a clear structure.
Actionable Steps
5 - Secure Your Website with HTTPS
In today’s online world, HTTPS isn’t optional—it’s essential. It’s critical for building trust with users, protecting sensitive data, and meeting search engine requirements. Modern web browsers now actively warn users when visiting websites without a valid SSL certificate, labeling them as "Not Secure." These warnings can discourage visitors and drive traffic away from your site.
The good news is that most hosting providers, including ours, handle this automatically for you. For example, with our hosting services, every website comes with a free SSL certificate pre-installed, so you never have to worry about it. If your hosting provider doesn’t offer this, it’s time to upgrade or switch—this is something you can’t afford to overlook.
Actionable Steps:
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Obtain an SSL Certificate:
- Most modern hosting providers offer free SSL certificates. If yours doesn’t, consider moving to a hosting service that does.
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Implement HTTPS Across Your Site:
- Ensure every page on your website is served securely. Tools like Why No Padlock? can help you identify mixed content issues where some elements may still load via HTTP.
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Update Internal Links:
- Go through your site and update all internal links to use HTTPS. This ensures a seamless and secure browsing experience for your visitors.
Why HTTPS Matters
- Encryption and Security: SSL encrypts data exchanged between the user’s browser and your server, protecting sensitive information like login details and payment data.
- Trust and Credibility: Web browsers warn users when a site lacks SSL, which can lead to a loss of trust and decreased traffic.
- SEO Benefits: Google uses HTTPS as a ranking factor, giving secure sites a slight boost in search engine results.
6 Your Google Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a cornerstone of local SEO. It directly influences how your business appears in local search results and on Google Maps, playing a significant role in driving traffic and attracting customers. When optimised effectively, your profile can set you apart from competitors and give you the edge needed to stand out in local searches.
Actionable Steps:
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Post Regular Updates:
- Share updates about offers, new blog posts, or company news at least weekly. Active profiles not only engage users but also signal to Google that your business is relevant and current. I recommend posting twice a week! Post reviews and snippets for website pages that add value or highlight services.
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Optimise for Keywords:
- Include relevant keywords in your GBP description and posts. For example, if you’re targeting "SEO Services Doncaster," ensure this phrase appears naturally in your updates and descriptions.
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Encourage and Respond to Reviews:
- Reviews are a game-changer for local SEO. Use a tool like ReviewEase to streamline your review process. It allows you to send polite, systematic requests for customer reviews, making it easier to consistently collect feedback.
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- Respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative, to show customers you value their feedback. This again shows Google that you are active and your profile is being used!
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Use Keywords in Customer Reviews:
- Encourage customers to mention specific services or products in their reviews. For example, a review mentioning "affordable web design" or "SEO services" can improve visibility for those keywords in local searches.
The Power of Google Reviews
- Boost Local SEO: Google heavily factors reviews into local rankings. More reviews, especially positive ones, improve your visibility in local searches.
- Increase Credibility: Reviews help potential customers decide if they can trust your business. A higher star rating often translates into more clicks and conversions.
- Appear in SERPs: Google often pulls reviews into search results, including aggregated star ratings. This not only improves your listing’s appearance but can also increase your click-through rate. Learn how to add Google review stars to your SERPs by reading this guide.
- Photos Enhance Visibility: Reviews that include customer-uploaded photos tend to perform better in local rankings and draw more clicks.
To make the most of Google’s power, you need a reliable method to request and generate Google Reviews consistently. If you’re not doing this, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to boost your visibility and climb the rankings. Learn how to streamline your review process and maximise your SEO potential by reading more at ReviewEase.
7 - Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinking is one of the most powerful elements of SEO. A backlink is a link from another website to yours, signaling to search engines that your site is valuable and trustworthy. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the better your chances of ranking higher in search results. However, not all backlinks are created equal—it’s essential to focus on quality over quantity.
Here’s how you can start building backlinks effectively:
Actionable Steps to Build Backlinks:
- Analyse Your Competitors’ Backlinks:
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- Use tools like Ubersuggest to see where your competitors are getting their backlinks.
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- Identify relevant, high-authority sites they’re linked to and determine if you can secure links from the same sources. This might involve writing guest posts, submitting your business, or building partnerships.
- Submit to Free Business Directories:
- Listing your website on reputable directories not only helps with backlinks but also increases your visibility to potential customers. Start with sites like:
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- Ensure your business details are accurate and consistent across all listings to improve local SEO.
- Leverage Social Media for Backlinks:
- Social media platforms are invaluable for backlinking. Create posts that are engaging but leave the audience wanting more—encouraging them to click a link to your blog or website for the full answer. For example, if your blog is about "SEO Tips for Beginners," your post could be:
"Did you know one simple SEO trick can boost your ranking overnight? Find out how in our latest blog—click the link!"
- Social media platforms are invaluable for backlinking. Create posts that are engaging but leave the audience wanting more—encouraging them to click a link to your blog or website for the full answer. For example, if your blog is about "SEO Tips for Beginners," your post could be:
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- Share your content on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms regularly. These links not only drive traffic but also signal engagement to search engines.
8 - Harness the Power of Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free, must-use tool for anyone serious about improving their SEO. It allows you to monitor your website’s performance in search results, submit individual pages for indexing, and upload a sitemap to help Google understand your site structure, which you should do once you've made any changes.
Actionable Steps:
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Create and Submit a Sitemap:
- A sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website, ensuring Google can find and index them.
- Use free tools like XML-Sitemaps or an SEO plugin to generate your sitemap.
- Once created, submit it to Google Search Console to make sure your pages are discoverable.
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Submit Individual Pages:
- When you publish new content, log into Search Console and submit the URL for faster indexing. This is particularly useful for new pages or blogs that you want to appear in search results quickly.
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Keep Your Sitemap Updated:
- Regularly check and update your sitemap to include any new pages or remove outdated ones. Most sitemap generators update automatically, but it’s always good to verify.
9. AI in SEO: What’s Changing and How to Stay Ahead
Search is evolving quickly. Google is introducing more AI-powered answers and summaries, which means websites need to be clearer, better structured and easier for machines to understand. Traditional SEO still matters, but modern SEO now includes preparing your website for AI-driven search.
How AI is Changing Search
Instead of showing only a list of websites, search engines are beginning to summarise information directly in results. This means your content needs strong structure, clear headings and useful information that AI systems can interpret easily.
Why Schema and Structured Data Matter
Schema helps search engines understand what your business does, where you operate and which services you offer. Adding structured data makes your website easier for both Google and AI tools to read. If you want to dive deeper into local structured data, you can read my guide here:
Unlocking the Power of Local Schema for Enhanced SEO
Different Types of Schema and Why They Matter
Schema isn’t a single piece of code that covers your whole website. Different pages often need different types of structured data depending on their purpose. For example, LocalBusiness schema helps search engines understand your location, Service schema explains what you offer, while Product, Review and FAQ schema can enhance specific pages with richer search results.
The key is relevance. Each page should use the schema that best matches its content rather than trying to apply one setup across the entire site. A well-structured website may include multiple schema types working together to give search engines a clearer picture of your business.
Using AI to Help Build Schema
You don’t need to write structured data from scratch anymore. AI tools can help generate schema code quickly when you provide the right information. For example, you can prompt AI with details about your business services, location and contact information to create a starting point, which can then be refined before adding it to your website.
- “Create LocalBusiness schema for an electrician in Doncaster including services and opening hours.”
- “Generate FAQ schema from this list of customer questions.”
- “Create service schema for a removals company offering house and office moves.”
Preparing Your Website for AI with an LLMS File
As AI search tools become more common, websites can include an LLMS.txt file to help AI systems understand how content should be interpreted. Think of it as a guide that gives structure and context to your website beyond traditional SEO signals.
An LLMS file usually sits in the root of your website and outlines key areas such as services, content topics and important pages. While it doesn’t replace SEO, it supports modern search by making your site easier for AI-driven platforms to read and summarise.
Creating one doesn’t need to be complicated. Many website owners now use AI tools to help draft an LLMS file by describing their business, services and target audience, then refining the output before uploading it to their site.
Staying Future-Ready
Modern SEO isn’t about chasing tricks or shortcuts. It’s about building clear, structured websites that both people and AI systems understand. Adding schema, improving content structure and keeping information up to date helps your site stay visible as search continues to evolve.
10 - Recommended Reading
To further enhance your SEO knowledge, here are three recent and relevant articles:
- "The Ultimate Guide to SEO in 2024" by Search Engine Journal
Summary: This comprehensive guide covers the latest SEO trends, including AI-driven search, voice search optimisation, and the growing importance of user experience signals. It provides actionable tips for staying ahead in the ever-evolving SEO landscape.
Read the full article
- "10 SEO Techniques to Dominate Google Rankings in 2024" by Neil Patel
Summary: Neil Patel shares cutting-edge SEO techniques, focusing on content optimisation for featured snippets, leveraging video SEO, and utilising schema markup. The article also discusses the impact of Core Web Vitals on rankings and strategies to improve them.
Read the full article
- "The Future of SEO: Predictions and Strategies for 2024 and Beyond" by Moz
Summary: This forward-looking piece explores emerging SEO trends, including the rise of visual search, the importance of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) in content creation, and the increasing role of natural language processing in search algorithms.
Read the full article
11 - Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, a practice that helps improve your website’s visibility on search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find your business online.
How long does SEO take to show results?
SEO is a long-term strategy that requires patience and consistent effort for sustained success. While it typically takes 3-6 months to see noticeable improvements, consistent and strategic actions can accelerate results. By following the tips in this blog, you could see meaningful progress as early as month two, with potential breakthroughs by month four.
For example, we achieved an incredible leap, moving from a position beyond 100, where we didn’t even register in search results, to page one within just four months. This was the result of a focused, consistent SEO approach.
Want to know how we did it? Learn more on our SEO Service Page and discover how we can help you achieve similar success!
What is the best free tool for SEO beginners?
Google Search Console is one of the best free tools for beginners to monitor and improve SEO performance. I also recommend Hike, and you can read more about it in our SEO Tools Blog. We also offer 50% off your first month so you can try it yourself.
How do I find the right keywords?
Use tools like Ubersuggest to identify low-competition keywords that are relevant to your audience. There are many tools available, so it’s important to find one that suits how you work.
How often should I update my content?
Updating your content regularly helps keep your website relevant and improves visibility. Adding new blogs or refreshing existing pages once or twice a month is a strong starting point. After publishing, create smaller content snippets for social media to extend the reach of each post.
Why are reviews important for SEO?
Reviews improve credibility and influence local search rankings. They also provide natural keyword-rich content that can appear in search results. Have a look at www.reviewease.biz for a more in-depth explanation.
What is AI SEO and does it replace traditional SEO?
AI SEO focuses on helping search engines understand your content through structure, clarity and context. It doesn’t replace traditional SEO like fast websites and strong content, but it adds another layer that helps modern search engines interpret your pages more effectively.
Do I need different schema for every page on my website?
Yes. Schema should match the purpose of each page. A local business page may use LocalBusiness schema, while service, product or FAQ pages use different structured data. Using the right schema for each page helps search engines understand your website more clearly.
What is an LLMS file and do small businesses need one?
An LLMS.txt file helps AI-driven search tools understand your website’s structure and content themes. It isn’t essential for every website yet, but it is becoming part of modern SEO as AI search continues to grow.
Can AI help create schema markup safely?
AI tools can help generate structured data quickly when you provide clear information about your business and services. The output should always be reviewed before adding it to your website to ensure it remains accurate and relevant.
How often should I review my SEO strategy?
SEO should be reviewed regularly as search engines evolve. Updating content, improving structure and adapting to AI-driven search trends helps keep your website visible and competitive over time.