Non-technical guide to getting started with SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a key digital marketing tool that helps your website become more discoverable by users on search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. It's like setting up signboards on a highway, guiding travelers to your shop.

But SEO is not just about search engines. At its core, it's about understanding what people are searching for and ensuring your website offers it. No need for complicated algorithms or coding knowledge; it's about understanding your audience.

Let's demystify the SEO process with simple, actionable steps you can implement without diving into the technical side.

1. Create Your Own Website: Whether it's a blog, online store, or portfolio, having a digital presence is the first step. Platforms like Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace are user-friendly and require zero coding.
2. Understand SEO as a Process: It's not a one-time task. Instead, think of SEO as a continuous process of improving and updating your website based on user preferences and search engine updates.
3. Focus on the User: Understand what your target audience is looking for. Engage them with high-quality, relevant content that answers their questions or solves their problems.
4. Organize Your Content: Ensure your website has a clear structure. Main topics should be easy to find and related subtopics grouped under them. This makes it easier for users to navigate and find what they need.
5. Use Descriptive Page Titles: Choose page titles that clearly indicate the content of the page. This helps users and search engines understand what your page is about.
6. Build Relationships: Engage with other websites and blogs in your niche. Share their content or collaborate on projects. This not only increases your visibility but can also lead to valuable backlinks.
7. Monitor Your Website's Traffic: While you don’t need to deep dive into analytics, it's good to have a basic understanding of how many visitors you’re getting and what pages they're looking at. Most website platforms offer built-in analytics tools that present data in an easy-to-understand format.
8. Learn from Your Competitors: Look at websites that rank higher than you in search results. What are they doing differently? Is there something you can learn or adapt for your site?
9. Stay Updated: SEO trends and algorithms can change. Stay updated with the latest trends by following simple SEO news websites or forums. They often break down complex updates into easy-to-grasp takeaways.
10. Focus on the End Goal: Remember, the main goal is not just to increase website traffic but to convert that traffic into loyal customers or followers.
11. Be Patient: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It might take months before you see significant changes in your website's ranking. Keep refining and updating your strategy based on results and feedback.

By sticking to these non-technical steps, you're well on your way to improving your website's visibility on search engines and providing a better experience for your users. Remember, SEO is as much about people as it is about search engines.