If SEO feels like a giant puzzle you can’t quite figure out, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, staring at my screen wondering,
Am I doing this right?
The truth is, SEO doesn’t have to be so confusing.
It’s about understanding what works, what doesn’t, and focusing on helping your audience.
Let me break it down for you in simple terms—just like I wish someone had done for me when I started.
By the end of this, you’ll know exactly what to do (and avoid) to make your site more visible online. Ready? Let’s jump in.
Do Use Keywords the Right Way
Think of keywords as the words people type into Google when they’re looking for something.
If you’re not using the right ones, how will they find your site?
But here’s the thing: it’s not just about throwing random words into your content. It’s about knowing what your audience wants and speaking their language.
How to Get It Right:
- Do Your Research: Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find out what people are searching for in your niche.
- Don’t Overthink It: Choose keywords that make sense for your content. For example, if you run a bakery, “how to bake a cake” or “best chocolate cupcakes” might be good options.
- Use Them Naturally: Instead of forcing keywords into every sentence, sprinkle them where they fit. Think of it like seasoning—too much, and it ruins the flavor.
When I started, I made the mistake of stuffing my content with keywords, thinking it would help me rank. It didn’t. What worked was writing like I was having a conversation, not trying to impress a robot.
Do Make Your Website Easy to Use
Let’s be honest—nobody likes a slow, messy website.
If your site takes forever to load or feels impossible to navigate, people will leave, and Google notices that.
The better your site works, the more people will stick around—and that’s good for SEO.
Here’s What to Focus On:
- Speed It Up: Compress your images and get rid of anything slowing your site down. Tools like GTmetrix can help.
- Think Mobile First: Most people are browsing on their phones, so your site needs to look and work great on a small screen.
- Keep It Simple: Make it easy for visitors to find what they need. Use clear menus and links to guide them.
I like to think of a website like a store. If it’s clean, organized, and welcoming, people will stay longer. If it’s chaotic, they’ll leave before buying anything.
Don’t Forget About On-Page SEO
On-page SEO is just a fancy way of saying: make each page on your site as good as it can be.
This means optimizing your titles, descriptions, and content to help search engines and users understand what it’s about.
Here’s What I’d Recommend:
- Write Catchy Titles: Your title is the first thing people see, so make it clear and interesting. For example, instead of “Cake Recipes,” try “10 Easy Cake Recipes You Can Make Today.”
- Add Meta Descriptions: These are the little blurbs that show up under your title in Google. Use them to explain what your page is about and why people should click.
- Internal Links: Point readers to other helpful pages on your site. It keeps them engaged and helps search engines understand how your content connects.
- Optimize Images: Rename your image files (like “chocolate-cake.jpg” instead of “IMG1234”) and add alt text so search engines know what they’re about.
When I started doing this, I noticed my pages started ranking better—and it didn’t feel like magic. It was just about being thoughtful with the little details.
Don’t Take Shortcuts (Black Hat SEO)
I’ll be honest: the idea of “quick fixes” can be tempting.
Who doesn’t want fast results, right?
But tricks like keyword stuffing or buying backlinks will backfire.
Google’s smarter than you think, and these shortcuts can hurt your site in the long run.
Here’s What to Avoid:
- Keyword Stuffing: This makes your content sound awkward and drives people away.
- Buying Links: It might seem like an easy way to build authority, but if Google catches you, it’s game over.
- Cloaking: Showing one version of your site to search engines and another to users is a big no-no.
Here’s my rule: if it feels sneaky or dishonest, don’t do it. Focus on helping your readers, and Google will reward you for it. Don’t fall for black hat SEO tactics – if you have big goal for your SEO campaign.
Do Write Content That People Actually Care About
If your content doesn’t solve a problem or answer a question, it won’t rank—simple as that.
SEO isn’t just about keywords and links. It’s about creating something valuable.
Here’s How I Do It:
- Think About Your Audience: What are they struggling with? What do they want to learn? Write content that answers their questions.
- Be Helpful: Share tips, step-by-step guides, or personal experiences. For example, if you’re a photographer, write about “how to choose the best camera for beginners.”
- Keep It Fresh: Don’t let your old content sit there collecting dust. Update it with new stats, tips, or examples to keep it relevant.
When I stopped writing for “search engines” and started writing for people, everything changed. My readers were happier, and my rankings improved.
Don’t Ignore Technical SEO
I know “technical SEO” sounds intimidating, but it’s really not.
Think of it as the behind-the-scenes stuff that helps search engines find and understand your site.
Here’s What to Check:
- Fix Broken Links: Nobody likes clicking on a link that doesn’t work.
- Secure Your Site: Use HTTPS instead of HTTP. It’s safer for your visitors and better for your rankings.
- Use Schema Markup: This helps search engines understand your content better and can even get you featured in rich snippets.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get this right. Just focus on the basics, and you’ll be ahead of most people.
Final Thoughts
SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At its core, it’s about helping people find what they’re looking for.
If you focus on the dos—like creating helpful content, optimizing your site, and making it user-friendly—and avoid the don’ts—like shortcuts or sneaky tactics—you’ll see progress.
Start small. Pick one or two things from this list and work on those. Over time, you’ll get the hang of it, and your site will start to grow. Trust me, you’ve got this!
