SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher on search engines (like Google, Bing, Yahoo) when people search for keywords related to your business.
The goal of SEO is to increase visibility, get more organic (free) traffic, and improve credibility of a website.
How SEO Works?
Search engines use bots (called crawlers or spiders) that:
-
Crawl → Scan web pages.
-
Index → Store and organize the information.
-
Rank → Display the most relevant and high-quality results for a user’s query.
So, SEO helps your website become:
-
Crawlable (search engines can find it),
-
Relevant (content matches user intent),
-
Authoritative (trusted by Google).
Types of SEO
There are mainly 3 types of SEO:
1. On-Page SEO
Optimizing elements within your website:
-
Keyword research & placement (title, headings, meta description, content).
-
High-quality, unique, and user-friendly content.
-
Internal linking.
-
Mobile-friendliness & site speed.
-
Image optimization (alt tags, size).
2. Off-Page SEO
Actions taken outside your website to improve authority:
-
Backlinks (links from other trusted sites).
-
Social media sharing.
-
Guest posting.
-
Brand mentions.
3. Technical SEO
Improving technical aspects for better crawling and indexing:
-
XML sitemap.
-
Robots.txt file.
-
HTTPS (SSL certificate).
-
Fixing broken links.
-
Structured data (Schema markup).
Important SEO Ranking Factors
Google uses 200+ factors, but key ones are:
-
Quality content (relevant & helpful).
-
Mobile-friendly & fast-loading website.
-
Secure website (HTTPS).
-
Backlinks from authority sites.
-
User experience (easy navigation, no spammy ads).
-
Keyword optimization.
-
Domain authority & page authority.
Benefits of SEO
-
Free, long-term traffic.
-
Builds trust & brand authority.
-
Higher conversion rates (since users search intentionally).
-
Beats competition in search results.
-
Works 24/7 without paid ads.
SEO vs Paid Ads (PPC)
SEO | PPC (Paid Ads) |
---|---|
Free traffic (organic). | Paid traffic (you pay per click). |
Takes time (3–6 months). | Instant results. |
Long-lasting benefits. | Stops when budget ends. |
Builds trust & credibility. | Users often skip ads. |
Example of SEO in Action
Suppose you run a bakery in Noida:
-
Without SEO → Your website may not appear when someone searches “Best bakery in Noida”.
-
With SEO → By optimizing keywords, adding Google My Business listing, getting reviews, and backlinks, your bakery can appear on Page 1 of Google, bringing more customers.
In short:
SEO = Making your website search-engine friendly so that people can easily find you online, without paying for ads.