Many business owners shudder when hearing the words search engine optimization. While there are many new things to learn when first learning SEO, it does not have to be a frightening process. The following guide will prove more than helpful at getting you started on your quest to master the many elements of SEO. 

What Is SEO

Search Engine Optimization is a tactic used to increase the visibility of your website through organic sources of traffic. Both creative and technical elements are utilized to improve search engine rankings and drive visitors to the website. 

Many factors play a role in SEO including keyword usage and links in and out to other websites. It is imperative that the structure of your website enables search engines to recognize and understand what it has to offer. 

Why Is SEO Needed

The major search engines are responsible for driving the majority of traffic on the internet. Social media and other methods of driving web traffic exist but search engines are the largest source of traffic by far. This fact will hold true regardless of the website theme. 

A major advantage of search engine traffic is that it is targeted to the product or service you offer to customers. Search engines provide a path for people who search for your product to find your website. When search engines are unable to find your website, you miss out on valuable business opportunities. 

Why Can't Search Engines Find A Website Without SEO

The major search engines are smart and efficient but will need help to find your website. Search engines are constantly tweaked to provide users with the best experience possible. However, the will only find the breadcrumbs left for them. 

Proper SEO tactics can make your website more noticed by search engines and bring with this added visibility thousands of potential customers. However, the wrong move can result in your website becoming lost and maybe never being found by the major search engines. 

Categories Of SEO Practices

The principles of SEO can be broken down into three basic categories:

Technical - This SEO category deals with making sure your website is available for search engines to crawl and index. 

On Page - This aspect of SEO deals with things like title tags, keywords, and content. It is important to remember that search engines place a priority on websites that deliver these elements with proper context. 

External Factors - These factors include things like inbound links, local search results, and social media traffic. These factors also validate your website and mark you as an industry expert.

Can I Do It Myself?

The world of SEO can be complicated and many website owners do not wish to navigate it for themselves. These owners can hire a professional link building company to serve their SEO needs. However, for those brave souls that wish to learn the ins and outs of SEO themselves, it will only require a little effort to get the job done. 

It may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic SEO practices even if you decide to hire a professional to handle it for you. 

The Bottom Line

It will not be a one-time affair to optimize your website for major search engines. However, it is a necessary function that can be mastered with a little effort. If you take the time to understand the elements of search engine optimization, you will be well on your way to becoming the owner of a successful website.