If you’ve ever launched a website and waited for traffic to start rolling in, you’ve probably realized something quickly: just building a great site isn’t enough. You need to make sure people can find it. That’s where SEO comes in. But don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it sounds. In this guide, we’ll walk you through What is basic SEO for a website, even if you’re just starting out.
Whether you’re a small business owner, blogger, or just someone passionate about sharing your work, these simple SEO tips will help you improve your website’s presence on search engines like Google.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of making your website easier for search engines (like Google, Bing, and Yahoo) to understand and recommend to users.
Imagine search engines as giant librarians. They index billions of web pages and try to show users the most relevant and trustworthy results when someone searches for something. SEO helps your site get in that lineup—and ideally, on the first page of results.
So, what is basic SEO for a website? Simply put, it’s a set of foundational strategies you apply to help your site rank better in search results. It’s not about hacking the system or gaming algorithms. It’s about giving your content the best possible chance of being found.
Basic SEO includes:
Optimizing your website content with the right keywords
Structuring your site for easy navigation
Creating high-quality content
Improving your page load speed
Making your site mobile-friendly
Earning links from other reputable websites
These aren’t advanced tricks—they’re straightforward, sustainable steps anyone can take.
Let’s break it down into manageable steps you can start applying today.
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines. You want to include these keywords naturally in your website content so that Google knows what your site is about.
Use free tools like:
Google Keyword Planner
Ubersuggest
AnswerThePublic
Look for keywords that are relevant to your business or blog but aren’t super competitive. Long-tail keywords (phrases like “best yoga mat for beginners” instead of just “yoga mat”) are often easier to rank for.
Once you’ve found some good keywords, use them in important places:
Page titles
Meta descriptions
Headings (H1, H2)
URL slugs (the text after the “/” in a web address)
Naturally throughout your content
But don’t stuff keywords. Google is smart—it can tell when you’re trying too hard. Keep your writing natural and reader-friendly.
Content is king. Always has been, always will be. Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it useful. If your content is helpful, original, and well-written, it will eventually gain traction.
Write for humans first, not search engines.
For example, if your business sells handmade soap, instead of just listing your products, write blog posts like:
“How to Choose the Best Natural Soap for Sensitive Skin”
“5 Reasons to Switch to Handmade Soaps Today”
This kind of content answers real questions and provides value, which search engines love.
Good site structure helps both users and search engines find what they’re looking for. That means:
Clear navigation menus
Logical page hierarchy (like Home > Blog > Post)
Internal linking between your pages
Every page on your site should be reachable within a few clicks from the homepage.
And don’t forget your sitemap—a file that tells search engines what pages are on your site. Most website builders or WordPress SEO plugins like Yoast will generate this for you.
Google uses mobile-first indexing. That means it looks at how your site performs on mobile devices before anything else.
You can test your site’s mobile-friendliness with Google’s free tool: Mobile-Friendly Test
Basic things to look for:
Text is readable without zooming
Buttons and links are easy to tap
Pages load quickly
Slow websites lose visitors. Plus, page speed is a ranking factor. Use tools like:
Google PageSpeed Insights
GTmetrix
Pingdom Tools
Some quick tips:
Compress images before uploading
Minimize the use of unnecessary plugins or scripts
Use a fast, reliable hosting provider
Consider using a caching plugin (if you're on WordPress)
These free tools are a goldmine of insights.
Google Search Console shows:
What keywords people use to find your site
Any crawl errors or mobile issues
Which pages are indexed
Google Analytics shows:
How people found your site
What pages they visit
How long they stay
Together, these tools help you understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Think of them like votes of confidence. When reputable sites link to your content, it signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy.
Some simple ways to earn backlinks:
Guest posting on related blogs
Sharing your content on social media
Collaborating with influencers or other creators
Listing your business in local directories (if applicable)
Avoid buying backlinks or participating in link farms. Google can penalize you for that.
SEO isn’t a one-and-done deal. The web is constantly changing, and so are search algorithms. Make a habit of:
Updating older posts with new information
Fixing broken links
Refreshing outdated statistics or recommendations
Consistency helps show search engines that your site is active and relevant.
Here’s the honest truth: SEO takes time. You might not see major results overnight—but that’s okay. The key is to stay consistent, keep learning, and continue improving your site bit by bit.
Even applying just a few of the tips in this article can have a noticeable impact over time.
Still wondering what is basic SEO for a website and why it matters so much? Think about it this way: every day, millions of people search for things online. Some of them are looking for exactly what you offer—but if they can’t find your site, they’ll never become your audience, customers, or fans.
By understanding and applying basic SEO, you:
Increase your site’s visibility
Build trust with both users and search engines
Create a better user experience
Generate more organic traffic (i.e., free visitors!)
And best of all, these steps don’t require a big budget or a degree in computer science.