What is SEO? A beginner’s guide to SEO basics and how it works

Bruno Veberis
What is SEO? A beginner’s guide to SEO basics and how it works

If you’ve just managed to create a website or are in the process of figuring out the best website builder to use, you’ve probably already stumbled across the word SEO. Maybe you’ve asked yourself: What is SEO and how does it work? Or wondered why your beautiful new website still isn’t showing up when people search on Google.

Here’s the truth: building a website is just the first step. Getting it discovered is a completely different challenge. And that’s where SEO basics come in.

In this friendly, practical guide, we’ll break down exactly what SEO is, why it matters, and—most importantly—what you can actually do today to start improving your search visibility. Whether you’re making a website for a small business, running a personal blog, or ecommerce site, this post will give you simple, actionable steps to get started with SEO marketing.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is the process of improving your website so that it shows up higher in search results (like on Google or Bing).

Think of it like this: Google has one mission—to deliver the most helpful, relevant, and trustworthy results to people searching online. If you can show Google that your site is useful, reliable, and easy to navigate, you’ll stand a better chance of climbing those rankings.

At its core, SEO is about three things:

  • Being found (getting indexed by search engines).
  • Being relevant (matching what people are searching for).
  • Being trusted (earning credibility through good content and links).

SEO basics: How to get your website into search results

Many people who make a website for the first time are surprised when it doesn’t appear on Google right away. That’s because websites don’t automatically show up—they need to be discovered and indexed first.

Here’s how the process works in simple terms:

Search engines like Google send out “bots” (sometimes called “crawlers”) to scan the web.
These bots follow links from one site to another, discovering new websites.
Once found, your site is analyzed, stored, and indexed.
After indexing, your site can start appearing in search results.

Two main ways to get indexed faster:

Tell Google directly:

Let others lead Google to you:

  • Add a link to your website on social media.
  • Share it on already-indexed websites you own.
  • Ask friends, partners, or other websites to link to you.

Tip: Don’t panic if it takes a few days or even weeks. This waiting period is totally normal.

Practical tips to improve your website’s rankings

Getting indexed is just step one. The bigger challenge is ranking well for your keywords so that people actually find you when they search. Let’s dive into SEO basics that are easy to implement even if you’re new to SEO marketing or just learning how to do SEO. These tips are practical, beginner-friendly, and focused on long-term results.

1. Focus on original and helpful content

Content is the foundation of search engine optimization. Without it, there’s nothing for Google to show in search results. But here’s the catch: not just any content will do. You need content that’s original, helpful, and relevant to your audience.

👉 Think of the questions your ideal visitors ask. For example, if you’re making a website for a small business that sells handmade candles, your customers might search for:

  • “Best scented candles for relaxation”
  • “How to make a candle last longer”
  • “Eco-friendly soy candles near me”

If you create blog posts, guides, or FAQ pages that answer these questions in a clear, friendly way, you’ll not only rank better but also build trust with potential customers.

Action step: Write down 10 questions your ideal customer would ask. Create a blog post or webpage that answers each one in depth. That’s your first layer of SEO-friendly content.

2. Use keywords naturally

Keywords are the phrases people type into Google. For you, these include terms like what is SEO, SEO basics, SEO for beginners, and how to do SEO. Using them correctly tells Google, “This page is about this topic.”

But here’s the golden rule: keywords should never feel forced. If you cram them into every sentence, your writing becomes robotic and unreadable. Google will notice and may penalize you.

👉 Instead, sprinkle keywords naturally into:

  • Page titles and meta descriptions.
  • Headings and subheadings.
  • The first 100 words of your article.
  • Image file names and alt text.

For example, instead of writing:
“SEO basics will help you learn SEO basics.”

You’d write:
“If you’re new to online marketing, learning SEO basics is the best place to start. Understanding what SEO is and how it works will help you build a website that actually gets found by customers.”

Action step: Pick one main keyword for each page or blog post. Then use related phrases (synonyms, variations) to keep your content natural. Tools like Google’s autocomplete or AnswerThePublic can help you find these variations.

3. Earn quality links

Links are one of the most powerful ranking signals in search engine optimization. When another site links to yours, it’s like casting a vote of confidence. But not all links are equal—Google values links from authoritative, relevant, and trustworthy websites.

👉 For example:

If you run a bakery website, a link from a food blogger is far more valuable than one from a random unrelated forum.
A link from a respected local news outlet carries more weight than 50 links from low-quality directories.

Ways to earn links naturally:

  • Guest posting: Write an article for a related blog and include a link back to your site.
  • Partnerships: Ask suppliers, partners, or local organizations to link to your website.
  • Directories: Submit your business to respected industry or local directories (avoid spammy ones).
  • Content marketing: Create resources so useful that others want to link to them, like step-by-step guides, free tools, or infographics.
  • PR outreach: Share your story with local journalists or industry magazines.

Action step:Make a list of 10 websites (blogs, local directories, partners, or news sites) where you could get a link. Reach out to them this week with a personalized email.

4. Keep your website fresh

Search engines love websites that are alive and active. If you haven’t updated your site in a year, Google may assume it’s outdated and push it lower in the rankings.

👉 Keeping your site fresh doesn’t mean you need to redesign it every month. Instead, focus on:

  • Adding blog posts: Share tips, tutorials, or case studies.
  • Updating old pages: Refresh old blog posts with new stats, images, or sections.
  • Posting company news: Add updates about new services, events, or projects.
  • Seasonal content: Write posts related to holidays, seasons, or yearly trends.

For example, if you build a website for a landscaping business, you could create seasonal posts like “Spring Lawn Care Tips” or “How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter.”

Action step: Schedule a content update plan. Commit to adding at least one new blog post per month and reviewing your top-performing pages every 3–6 months.

5. Improve website experience

SEO isn’t just about what’s on the page—it’s also about how your site feels to visitors. If your website is slow, hard to navigate, or doesn’t work on mobile, people will leave quickly. And when visitors leave fast, Google takes it as a sign that your site wasn’t useful.

👉 Here are ways to improve your site experience:

  • Mobile-friendly design: Most people browse on their phones, so make sure your site looks great on mobile. If you’re using a website builder for small business, choose a responsive template.
  • Fast loading speed: Use compressed images, reliable hosting, and lightweight themes. Test your speed with Google PageSpeed Insights.
  • Clear navigation: Organize your menu so visitors can find what they need in just 1–2 clicks.
  • Readable design: Use big enough fonts, short paragraphs, and plenty of white space.

Action step: Run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test. Fix at least one issue that slows your site down or makes it hard to use.

6. Be active on social media

While social media doesn’t directly affect rankings, it plays a huge role in amplifying your content. The more people see and share your website, the more likely it is to attract backlinks and brand mentions—both of which improve SEO.

👉 Smart ways to use social media for SEO:

  • Share your blog posts on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or TikTok.
  • Use hashtags so new audiences can discover you.
  • Engage with comments and conversations—don’t just post and disappear.
  • Repurpose content: turn blog posts into Instagram carousels, short videos, or infographics.
  • Encourage satisfied customers to tag or mention your business.

For example, if you’re making a website for a small business like a hair salon, posting before-and-after photos on Instagram with a link to your website can drive both traffic and trust.

Action step: Pick one social media platform where your audience spends the most time. Post consistently there at least twice a week, and always link back to your website when possible.

7. Keep learning and practicing SEO

The world of SEO changes constantly. What works today might shift tomorrow when Google updates its algorithm. That’s why learning is an ongoing part of SEO for beginners and pros alike.

👉 To stay on top of SEO:

  • Follow Google’s official blogs and resources.
  • Take beginner-friendly SEO courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or HubSpot.
  • Read blogs from trusted SEO experts like Moz, Ahrefs, or Neil Patel.
  • Experiment on your own site. The best way to learn SEO is to practice, test, and adjust.

You can also use these resources to dive deeper

Think of SEO as a skill. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. And the payoff is huge: consistent, free traffic to your website without relying only on ads.

Action step: Pick one SEO learning resource and commit to studying it for 30 minutes a week. Then test one new strategy on your site each month.

Bringing it all together

So, what is SEO in simple terms? It’s the art and science of making your website discoverable, useful, and trustworthy in the eyes of search engines. Understanding SEO basics will help you take your site from invisible to visible, and eventually, to the top of the search results.

Here’s the big picture:

  • Create a website (or build a website using the right tools).
  • Make sure search engines can find and index it.
  • Publish helpful, original content with naturally placed keywords.
  • Earn backlinks, stay active on social media, and keep your site updated.

If you’re making a website for a small business, think of SEO as your digital word-of-mouth marketing. It takes time, but with consistency, it works.

Now it’s your turn:

👉 Take one of the tips above and put it into action today. Whether that’s signing up for Google Search Console, writing your first blog post, or asking a friend to link to your site—every step builds momentum.

Remember: SEO marketing isn’t magic. It’s strategy, consistency, and patience. And if you stay committed, the results can transform your website from a hidden corner of the internet into a powerful tool for growth.