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Getting your business found on Google shouldn’t feel like trying to crack a secret code.
If you’re running a business or just starting to explore digital marketing, you’ve probably heard how important SEO is. And it is, but let’s be honest, most “SEO basics for beginners” guides either dive way too deep too fast or stay so surface-level that you walk away more confused than before.
This guide is different. We’re here to break down SEO basics for beginners in a way that actually makes sense. Just the key stuff that matters, from a marketing agency that works with this every day.
Even if you don’t plan to do the SEO yourself, you’ll walk away understanding what drives results (and what to avoid).
What is SEO?
SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization, is the process of improving a website’s content so it shows up more often in relevant searches across various platforms. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to attract attention and engage potential and existing customers.
Why is SEO important?
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine;
- 75% of users never scroll past the first page of Google;
- SEO drives targeted, long-term traffic — often at a lower cost than paid ads;
- It builds trust and authority organically over time.
Without SEO, your website may be lost in the sea of millions of other sites, making it difficult for people to find you. SEO is not a quick fix, it’s a long-term investment. But when done right, it becomes one of your most valuable traffic sources.
SEO basics for beginners:
1. Keyword research – The foundation
Keyword research is where all great SEO strategies begin. You’re figuring out what your audience is actually searching for, and what language they use.
Start by brainstorming keywords related to your product or service. Then, use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner (free);
- Ubersuggest (freemium)
- Ahrefs / SEMrush (advanced but powerful)
- AnswerThePublic (for long-tail queries and content ideas)
What to look for:
- Search Volume (SV): How often is it searched?
- Keyword Difficulty (KD): How competitive is it?
- Search Intent: Are users looking to buy, learn, or compare?
Example:
Instead of targeting “CRM,” a beginner-friendly long-tail keyword might be “best free CRM tools for startups”.
2. On-Page SEO – What you control
This refers to the content that you own, that is actually on your website. This process involves optimizing content on each individual page on your site to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic. Key elements include:
- Title tags: Ensure your title tags are descriptive and include your main keywords;
- Meta descriptions: Write short and compelling meta descriptions that include the main keywords used;
- Headings: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content and include keywords where appropriate;
- Content: Create high-quality, informative content that addresses the needs and questions that your audience might have;
- URL slugs: Keep URLs short, descriptive, and keyword-focused, e.g., /seo-basics-for-beginners;
- Internal linking: Link to related content within your own site to keep users engaged and help crawlers navigate.
Bonus tip:
Use tools like SurferSEO or RankMath to analyze your on-page optimization score.
3. Off-Page SEO – What others say about you
This involves activities outside your website that impact your rankings. Compared to On-Page SEO, this is the content that you do not own and you do not have full control of. Some strategies that could improve off-page SEO include:
- Backlinks: Earn high-quality backlinks from reputable sites to boost your credibility and authority;
- Social media marketing: Promote your content on social media platforms to increase visibility and drive traffic. Make sure to include relevant keywords here as well;
- Guest blogging: Publishing an article about your products or services on someone else’s website could significantly increase your awareness;
- Brand mentions: Making people mention your brand on social media groups or events is the key to valuable promotions;
- Influencer marketing: This could be a good way to improve credibility to your products or services while also raising your brand awareness.
Common mistake:
Avoid participating in link farms, as it can get your site penalized by Google.
4. Technical SEO – Your site’s infrastructure
This refers to optimizing the backend of your site to help search engines crawl and index your content more effectively. Even the best content won’t rank if your site is slow or unreadable by crawlers.
Important aspects include:
- Site speed: Time is valuable, so make sure that your site loads quickly to improve user experience and ranking. Aim for <2 seconds load time;
- Mobile optimization: Remember that the majority of users now prefer mobile devices when it comes to spending their time online, so make sure your site is optimized for that;
- Secure Website (HTTPS): This is a ranking signal and builds trust;
- Structured Data (Schema): Helps search engines understand your content and enables rich results like FAQs or product ratings;
- XML sitemaps: Create and submit an XML sitemap to search engines to help them better understand your site structure.
How AI Is Changing SEO (And What Beginners Should Know)
Almost every aspect of digital marketing has been impacted by AI recently, and SEO is no exception.
AI is making Google’s search engine smarter. It is now attempting to ascertain what users truly mean when they search, rather than merely matching keywords. Therefore, using keywords in your content is no longer sufficient; instead, it must actually provide clear, helpful answers to people’s queries.
Even for novices, AI is altering the game in the following ways:
- These days, search intent is crucial. To determine what people are actually searching for, Google uses tools like RankBrain and BERT. This means that rather than just checking off SEO boxes, your content should concentrate more on being relevant and helpful.
- People are searching in different ways. More people are receiving quick answers from AI thanks to programs like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. Therefore, your content must be unique. Write as a human speaking to another human, include your viewpoint, and provide actual examples.
- You can really benefit from AI tools. You can speed up your research, organize your content, and generate ideas with the help of platforms like SurferSEO, Jasper, or even ChatGPT (yes, like this one!). Google is still searching for content that feels authentic and unique, so don’t rely on them to do all the work.
The takeaway?
Although AI isn’t a threat, it is altering the way SEO functions. You’re already ahead of most people who try to cheat the system if you concentrate on being truly helpful, remaining reliable, and using the appropriate tools wisely.
Measuring SEO success
To track each and every implementation and better understand if your SEO efforts are paying off, use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. These tools provide insights into your traffic, keyword rankings, and overall site performance over extended periods of time.
What to avoid as a beginner:
- Keyword stuffing: Using the same keyword too many times makes your content unreadable and penalizable;
- Thin content: Google wants value, not just words. Aim for depth, not just length;
- Neglecting user intent: Ranking doesn’t matter if the content doesn’t satisfy what users are really looking for. Remeber what we talked about when it came to AI?
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got a handle on the SEO basics for beginners, one thing’s probably clear: there’s no magic trick. Ranking on Google takes strategy, consistency, and a good understanding of what your audience actually searches for.
That’s where we come in.
At EBIG, we help startups and growing brands take the guesswork out of SEO. Whether you need a full strategy or just someone to steer you in the right direction, we build real plans, not just buzzwords.
👉 Want to see how SEO could work for your brand? Let’s chat.