How to do SEO for a new website

Forget the fluff and the SEO jargon that’s as digestible as a mouthful of thumbtacks. When it comes to doing SEO for a new website, you need the straight goods, not a ten-page essay on the evolution of search algorithms. If you’re starting fresh, SEO can either be your stairway to heaven or a quicksand pitno in-betweens. Here’s the lowdown, the real talk, on how to crank that SEO dial up from zero to hero.

How to Do SEO for a New Website

By reading this article, you will learn:
– What SEO is and its importance for new websites
– Step-by-step guide for doing SEO for a new website
– Tips for optimizing website structure, content, and obtaining backlinks

What is SEO?

If SEO were a person, it would be the street-smart hustler who knows every nook and cranny of the digital neighborhood. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is all about making your website a magnet for search engines like Google. It’s a symphony of strategies that makes your site appear front and center when someone types a query into that omnipresent search bar.

Why is SEO Important for New Websites?

Imagine opening a store in a ghost town. That’s your website without SEOa digital tumbleweed. For new websites, SEO isn’t just important; it’s life support. It gives you visibility, which in the world of the internet, translates to traffic, and eventually, if you’ve hit the right notes, to conversions.

1. Choose the Right Domain Name

Choosing a domain is like naming a child; it sticks. For SEO, a domain name with a keyword can give you a slight nudge in rankings. But be wary of being too on-the-nose. There’s a fine line between keyword-smart and keyword-stuffed.

Insider Tip: Go for a domain name that’s easy to remember, pronounce, and free of any hyphens or numbers that could confuse your users.

2. Select the Right Hosting Provider

A slow-loading website is the kiss of death for user experience. Your hosting provider plays a big role in this. Don’t skimp on hosting. A reliable host reduces downtime and improves load speeds, which are key factors for ranking.

How to do SEO for a new website

3. Install an SSL Certificate

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the digital equivalent of a deadbolt on your door. Search engines favor secure sites. If your URL begins with “https,” you’re in the good books, signaling to search engines and users alike that your site is a safe zone.

4. Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Google Analytics and Google Search Console are your eyes and ears on the ground. They provide insights on traffic, performance, and site health. Without these tools, SEO becomes a shot in the dark.

Insider Tip: Regularly check your Google Search Console for any crawl errors or manual actions taken by Google against your site.

5. Set Up Your Website Structure

A messy website structure is like a maze with no exit signs. It confuses both users and search engines. A logical hierarchy, with clear categories and subcategories, ensures a smooth navigation experience.

How to do SEO for a new website

6. Create a Sitemap

A sitemap is your website’s table of contents. It tells search engines where to find the important stuff. It’s essential for new websites because it can speed up the indexing process, meaning your site gets noticed quicker.

7. Create a Robots.txt File

The robots.txt file is the bouncer at the club. It tells search engine crawlers which pages to crawl and which to leave alone. Getting this right ensures search engines spend their time wisely on your site.

8. Set Up Your Internal Linking Structure

Internal links are the secret tunnels between rooms in a castle. They guide users and search engine bots through your site, establishing a hierarchy of information and spreading link equity around.

9. Optimize Your Websites Loading Speed

Patience is a virtue lost on internet users. Speed is a ranking factor, and a slow website is a bane for your bounce rate. Compress images, minify code, and leverage browser caching to keep your site zippy.

Insider Tip: Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to pinpoint specific areas where your site’s speed can be improved.

10. Make Sure Your Website is Mobile-Friendly

With more than half of the web’s traffic coming from mobile devices, if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you might as well hang a “Closed” sign on your homepage. Mobile-friendliness is non-negotiable for SEO.

11. Create High-Quality Content

Content is the king, queen, and the court jester. It’s what users are there for. Quality content answers questions, provides value, and is the bait that hooks the search engine’s attention.

Insider Tip: Use tools like Answer The Public to find out what questions your audience is asking and tailor your content to answer them.

12. Optimize Your Content for Search Engines

Sprinkle those keywords like you’re seasoning a gourmet dishnot too much, just enough. Use them naturally in your content, titles, and descriptions. Remember, write for humans first, search engines second.

Insider Tip: Keep your keyword density around 1-2% to avoid the dreaded “keyword stuffing” penalty.

13. Use Internal Links in Your Content

Internal links are not just the pathways in the structure of your site; they’re also the veins in your content. They keep the user’s journey flowing and distribute page authority throughout your site.

14. Use External Links in Your Content

External links are the handshakes with neighboring businesses. They show you’re connected and credible, and they can provide additional value to your readers. But be selective; link to authoritative and relevant sites.

15. Use Images in Your Content

Images are the eye-candy that keeps readers engaged. But they’re not just pretty faces; when optimized with alt text containing keywords, they can be powerful allies for your SEO.

How to do SEO for a new website

16. Use Keywords in Your URLs

A URL should be a mini-ad for your page. Including a keyword not only tells users and search engines what’s on the page but can also give a minor SEO boost.

17. Use Keywords in Your Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Title tags and meta descriptions are your billboards on the search engine results page. Make them compelling, make them relevant, and yes, sprinkle in those keywords.

18. Use Keywords in Your Headings and Subheadings

Headings and subheadings are like signposts on the highwaythey guide the reader through your content. Using keywords in them helps search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content.

19. Use Schema Markup on Your Website

Schema markup is like an interpreter for search engines. It’s a code that helps search engines understand the context of your content, enabling rich snippets that can boost your visibility in search results.

Insider Tip: Use Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool to ensure your schema markup is correctly implemented.

20. Get Backlinks to Your Website

Backlinks are the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth referrals. They’re votes of confidence from other sites. The more authoritative the site linking to you, the better it is for your SEO.

Insider Tip: Focus on creating link-worthy content and engage in guest blogging on reputable sites within your niche.

Conclusion

Doing SEO for a new website isn’t rocket science, but it’s not a walk in the park either. It’s a meticulous blend of art and science. With this guide, you’ve got a blueprinta mix of foundational steps and nuanced tactics. It’s a long game, and there are no overnight successes. Be patient, be persistent, and watch your new website rise from obscurity to a spot where it rightfully belongsat the top of search engine results, where the digital air is crisp, and the traffic flows like a river after a rainstorm. Welcome to the SEO hustle; it’s a wild ride, but oh, is it worth it.

Questions

Q: What is SEO for a new website?

A: SEO for a new website involves optimizing its content and code to improve search engine rankings.

Q: How can I start SEO for a new website?

A: You can start by conducting keyword research, optimizing on-page elements, and building high-quality backlinks.

Q: Who should handle SEO for a new website?

A: It’s best to have an experienced SEO professional or agency handle the SEO for a new website to ensure best results.

Q: What if I don’t have the budget for professional SEO?

A: You can start with basic SEO practices like optimizing meta tags and creating high-quality content to improve your website’s visibility.

Q: How long does it take to see results from SEO for a new website?

A: It can take several months to a year to see significant results from SEO efforts for a new website, as it depends on various factors.

Q: What if I don’t have time to do SEO for my new website?

A: Consider outsourcing SEO to professionals who can efficiently handle the process and deliver results while you focus on other aspects of your business.

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Xavier Berkness

Xavier Berkness is the President of PERC, a renowned Digital Marketing Company. With an impressive career spanning over two decades since 1996, Xavier has earned a reputation as a leader in the field of digital marketing. He has leveraged his deep understanding and expertise in building websites to author a highly-regarded book, 'Mastering On-Page Optimization - The Secret Sauce of an SEO System.' Xavier's impactful contributions to the industry have been recognized in a Star Tribune feature, where he was hailed as a 'Mover and Shaker.' Outside the professional realm, Xavier is a nature lover who cherishes time spent near the ocean. He continues to fuel his passion for digital marketing, relentlessly seeking new knowledge and strategies every day. His combination of professional prowess and personal charm make Xavier a trusted authority in the digital marketing industry.