If you have ever wondered how to get your website to rank higher on Google or other search engines, you are in the right place.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the key to increasing your online visibility and driving more visitors to your site. But SEO isn’t just one thing; it is a collection of strategies, each with a unique purpose and technique.
In this post, I will share the 4 types of SEO I use most often and explain exactly how I implement them.
What is SEO and Why Does It Matter?
Before you get to know the types, let us quickly recap what SEO is and why it is so important.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the practice of making your website more attractive to search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
When done right, SEO helps your site show up near the top of search results when people type in keywords related to your business or content.
The reason why SEO matters is that the higher you rank, the more people see your website, and the more traffic (potential customers or readers) you get. Most users don’t scroll past the first page, so SEO can literally make or break your online success.
The 4 Types of SEO I Use Most Often
1. On-Page SEO
On-Page SEO refers to the elements you can control directly on your website. This includes things like the words on your pages, titles, headings, images, URLs, and internal links.
Google and other search engines want to understand what your page is about. On-page SEO helps them do that by organizing your content and using keywords effectively. Below are the ways I implement On-Page SEO:
- Keyword Research: I start by finding keywords that my audience is searching for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest are helpful. For example, if I’m writing about dog training, I look for keywords like “how to train a puppy” or “dog training tips.”
- Title Tags & Meta Descriptions: These are the headlines and summaries that show up in search results. I make sure my titles include my target keywords and are compelling enough to make people click.
- Headers (H1, H2, H3): I structure the content using headings to break it up and make it easy to read. This also helps search engines understand the hierarchy of information.
- Content Optimization: I naturally include keywords in the text, but avoid keyword stuffing (using keywords too much). I focus on making the content helpful, clear, and engaging.
- Image Optimization: I add relevant images and optimize their file names and alt text with keywords. This helps with accessibility and image search.
- Internal Linking: Linking to other relevant pages on my site improves user experience and helps search engines crawl my website better.
2. Technical SEO
Technical SEO is about improving the backend structure of your website to make it easier for search engines to find and index your pages.
No matter how great your content is, if search engines can’t crawl your site properly or if it loads slowly, your rankings will suffer. Here is how I implement Technical SEO:
- Site Speed: I use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check my site’s loading time and make improvements such as compressing images and reducing unnecessary code.
- Mobile-Friendliness: Since many people use smartphones, I ensure my website is responsive and works well on all screen sizes.
- Secure Website (HTTPS): I make sure my website uses HTTPS for security, which is also a ranking factor.
- XML Sitemap: I create and submit an XML sitemap to Google Search Console, which helps search engines discover all my pages.
- Robots.txt File: This file tells search engines which pages to crawl or not crawl, helping me control my website’s visibility.
- Fixing Errors: I regularly check for broken links, duplicate content, and other issues that can hurt my SEO.
3. Off-Page SEO
Off-Page SEO involves actions taken outside of your own website that affect your rankings, primarily through backlinks and online reputation.
Google views backlinks (links from other websites to yours) as votes of confidence. The more quality backlinks you have, the more trustworthy and authoritative your site appears. Here is how I implement Off-Page SEO:
- Building Quality Backlinks: I reach out to relevant blogs, websites, and influencers to share my content or collaborate on guest posts.
- Social Media Sharing: Promoting content on social media platforms increases its visibility and can attract backlinks.
- Online Directories & Listings: I ensure my business is listed accurately on Google My Business, Yelp, and other directories.
- Engaging in Communities: Participating in forums, Q&A sites like Quora, and industry groups helps build relationships and naturally attract links.
- Monitoring Backlinks: I use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to monitor my backlink profile and disavow spammy links.
4. Local SEO
Local SEO focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches.
If you run a physical store or service in a specific area, local SEO helps people nearby find you quickly. Below are the ways I implement Local SEO:
- Google My Business: I create and optimize my Google My Business listing with up-to-date information, photos, and reviews.
- Local Keywords: I include keywords that include the city or neighborhood name, such as “best pizza in Brooklyn.”
- Consistent NAP: I ensure my Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online directories.
- Local Reviews: I encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews, which boost my local ranking and build trust.
- Local Content: I create blog posts or pages about local events, news, or topics related to my community.
Why I Focus on These Four Types of SEO
SEO can be overwhelming because it covers many areas. But focusing on these four types allows me to build a strong foundation that covers all bases like content quality, technical performance, online reputation, and local relevance.
Together, they create a powerful strategy that increases traffic, builds trust, and ultimately helps me achieve my business or personal goals online.
Some Final Tips for Implementing SEO Successfully
- Be Patient: SEO results don’t happen overnight. It can take weeks or months to see significant improvements.
- Focus on User Experience: Search engines want to reward sites that give visitors a great experience, so always keep your audience’s needs in mind.
- Keep Learning: SEO trends and algorithms change, so staying updated helps you stay ahead.
- Avoid Black Hat SEO: Techniques like keyword stuffing, buying links, or cloaking may give short-term gains but can lead to penalties.
