5 Basic SEO Tips to Raise your Search Ranking

Stepping into the world of SEO can be quite overwhelming — no doubt about it.

The truth is, many components go into effective SEO, ranging from the not-so-complicated… to the very complicated.

But fear not! At Numinous Creative, we've witnessed the remarkable impact of consistent and effective SEO implementation on our clients' success stories, and we're here to assure you that it doesn't have to be a daunting task!

You can start with small, simple steps to gradually increase your search ranking. Whether you’re a true beginner or looking to improve your hard-earned skills, we’ve got 5 basic SEO tips to share with you. Let’s get started!

01. Focus on a single keyword for each page

It's tempting to go overboard with keywords, believing that it will benefit your SEO. However, trying to rank for multiple keywords or phrases on a single page is difficult. It's best to stick to one primary keyword or phrase for each page.

By focusing on a single keyword, you can optimize your content more effectively. This allows search engines to understand the specific topic or intent of your page, increasing your chances of ranking higher in relevant search results.

*Keyword research using* *AnswerThePublic*

Remember, quality and relevance are key when it comes to SEO, so choose your primary keyword carefully and create content that provides value to your audience. If you don't know where to start when finding relevant keywords, Check out our blog on 9 free keyword researching tools to see how simple it can be.

02. Place targeted keywords in strategic places

Once you know which keyword or keyword phrases you want to target, it's crucial to incorporate them naturally into specific areas of your website's content. Focus on placing keywords in the following strategic locations:

Page URL
Page Title (H1)
First 100 Words of the Page: This can be as simple as a short sentence confirming with your audience that they are in the right place. For example, "You clicked on the blog post to learn about SEO tips, and we’ve got them covered!"
Meta Description: This is the brief summary that shows up beneath the title of your web page in search results. Write a concise summary of what your page is about (around 150-160 words) and include your targeted keyword or phrase.
H2 Headings: Try adding your keyword to one or more H2 headings naturally and sensibly.
Image Alt Text: Including relevant keywords in your alt text can optimize your images for Google Image searches. More on alt text below!
Sprinkle Throughout Naturally: In addition to the specific locations mentioned above, incorporate your targeted keywords naturally throughout your content.

By strategically placing keywords in these areas, you can optimize your content for search engines without compromising readability or overdoing it. After all, providing valuable and engaging content to your audience is the priority.

03. Make your content skimmable

When it comes to creating content that attracts both readers and search engines, it's essential to make it skimmable. Here are a few techniques to achieve that:

Clear Headings and Subheadings: Use built-in heading tags like H1, H2, and H3 to help search engines understand the structure of your content. Additionally, readers can easily scan through and grasp the main topics and subtopics of the page.
Bullet Points and Lists: Use bulleted lists to present information instead of bulky paragraphs whenever possible.
Images and Visuals: Include relevant images, infographics, or charts to complement your text. Visual elements not only break up the content but also convey information effectively and capture readers' attention.
White Space: Give your content room to breathe by incorporating white space, which is the empty space between paragraphs, headings, and images. Sufficient white space enhances readability and prevents a cramped and overwhelming appearance.
Summary: Add concise summaries at the top or bottom of your content. These provide a quick overview of the information your content covers and where readers can find it.

Implementing these techniques will ultimately help your audience engage with and digest your content more easily.

04. Don’t overlook internal and external link building

Building links is a key part of SEO, and there are three types you should focus on: backlinks, internal links, and external links. Backlinks, which are links from other websites to yours, can be tough to get. So, to start, it's a good idea to focus on easier options like linking within your site (internal linking) and linking to other relevant sites (external linking).

Internal links are when you link to different pages within your website that your audience might find useful. You should aim to seamlessly add links to related content within a body of the text so that your audience can move from one piece of content to another. We did this above when we linked to our blog on 9 free keyword researching tools.
External links are the ones that lead your audience to other websites. By including external links to relevant and reputable sites, you can boost your search ranking. This is because search engines like Google view your website as more trustworthy when it connects to credible external sources.

When adding links, make sure the anchor text (the clickable text of the link) is specific to the page you're linking to and contains your targeted keyword. This not only improves the user experience but also increases the likelihood of your page ranking higher.

05. Include alt text in your images

Alt text is an essential, but often overlooked part of SEO. It provides a brief description of an image, allowing search engine crawlers to understand its content and context. By using relevant alt text, you increase the chances of your images ranking on Google Images and attracting more website traffic.

To create effective alt text, be concise yet descriptive, like the example above. Accurately conveying an image's content and purpose, provides valuable information to search engines and improves accessibility for visually impaired users. Alt text is primarily needed for informative images that contribute to your content. Decorative images can have blank alt text.

Key Takeaways:

Focus on a one keyword for each page to optimize your content effectively.
Place targeted keywords in strategic locations such as URLs, page titles, meta descriptions, headings, and image alt text.
Make your content skimmable by using clear headings, bullet points, visuals, and white space.
Don't overlook the importance of internal and external link-building to improve your search ranking.
Include a descriptive alt text for images to enhance SEO and improve accessibility.

By implementing these five basic SEO tips, you'll improve your search rankings and attract more organic traffic to your website. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, so regularly monitor your performance and adapt your strategies as needed.

At Numinous Creative, we're here to support your digital marketing journey and help your business thrive online. Browse all of our services and reach out to get started with one of our social packages.