***Last updated September 2025***
We’ll keep it simple here and go over basics of SEO in a way that total beginners can understand. If you’re looking for more detail in this area check our our previous article “What Does SEO Stand for in Business”. Search Engine Optimization, or SEO as it’s commonly known really just means presenting your content in a way that makes it easy to be found by the big players like google and bing. In simple terms, it’s a series of strategies that help your website pop up on search engines like Google when people look for topics you write about. Think of it as the art of being noticeable in the vast sea of the internet – you can dress up or blend in for the real world too but you need to stand out online if you want to succeed.
Let’s get familiar with some very important terms. Organic traffic is something you’ll be told to create basically everywhere – it’s the free way to build an audience (as opposed to paid ads). Organic traffic also happens to be the only kind of traffic we get here at Vibe Income – I haven’t spent a penny on paid ads to build this website and you shouldn’t have to for your own either (assuming you’re willing to get good at keyword research and SEO).
Organic traffic refers to visitors who stumble upon your site naturally through a search engine, not through ads or paid promotions. Pretty valuable, right? And it’s free! SEO tactics aim to increase this kind of traffic by making your content more appealing to search engines. If I can learn it (and I did), you can too!
One factor, often overlooked by beginners, is the Quoted Search Results, or QSR. This score gauges the competition for a specific keyword. Understanding QSR can significantly impact how easily your content can climb the search rankings. You want keywords that are in demand, but don’t have a ton of competition – balancing act at its finest. This marker is very beneficial for making sure you don’t waste time on keywords out of your reach in the beginning! QSR is one of my favourite features of Jaaxy (the keyword tool available for free within Wealthy Affiliate).
So, SEO is essentially about improving your website’s visibility. Think about it as if you were opening a shop. SEO is like making sure your shop not only has a sign but that it’s bright enough to attract passersby, and on a busy enough street for all the attention to matter. Your aim is to make it as easy as possible for search engines – and therefore, customers – to find you.
Starter Strategies for SEO Success
When you’re just entering the world of SEO, it’s like learning a new language. Your initial focus should be on less competitive keywords, often referred to as ‘low-hanging fruit‘. These are phrases that are easier to rank for due to less competition. Think of them as the stepping stones to gaining visibility in search engines.
In the beginning, I opted for keywords that may only get 50 searches a month but didn’t have much competition. Now, I go for much higher search keywords since my site has built up some authority in my niche. When you’re starting out remember that a piece of a smaller pie is better than no piece of the bigger pie. That means that you’re better off to rank page one for terms that only get a handful of searches a month than not rank at all for terms that get thousands. Lots of little pieces of traffic in the beginning can be your best friend – it certainly was one of mine!
A critical concept when it comes to low volume, low competition search terms is long-chain keywords. These longer, more specific phrases can be a game-changer for your SEO strategy. A long-chain keyword is typically low competition because it is very specific and it has the added bonus of including several shorter, related keywords within it. This multi-tier approach not only positions you uniquely but also casts a wider net for capturing traffic.
Remember, as you start off, you’re building your website’s reputation with both users and search engines. By focusing on content around these long-tail terms, you can gradually establish your site as an authority in your niche. Once you have solidified this trust and expertise, you’ll be ready to go after more competitive terms.
Don’t worry too much about shooting for the stars with your keywords at the beginning. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. You can always target harder and higher competition keywords later but let’s build a foundation and some confidence with the long tail keywords first. By laying down a web of content linked through low-competition keywords, you set the stage for long-term growth and a robust SEO foundation.
Progressive Path to Mastering SEO: A Preview
So, you’re getting the hang of SEO, and I really hope you’re starting to see how these tactics can boost your website’s visibility. But we’ve barely scratched the surface and there’s still a lot more to explore!
In upcoming articles, we’ll dive into the art of uncovering ‘golden’ keywords. These are the keystones of high-ranking articles, and I’ll walk you through the process of identifying them.
You’ll also learn how to weave those keywords naturally into your content. You can’t just stuff your articles with search terms; it’s about creating insightful and engaging content that meets the needs of your audience as well as the search engines.
Don’t overlook the power of the right tools. Selecting plugins that not only streamline your SEO efforts but also make sure search engines can crawl your site efficiently can help you climb up those rankings.
Being able to track your traffic and see what is working and what needs improvement will be a huge factor in your success and ability to continue growing effectively (don’t worry – there’s an awesome plugin and app for that too)! Here at VI we use the Google Site Kit plugin to fulfil that need, along with Bing Webmaster externally, I would recommend you look into both as well – and they’re both free!
If this has piqued your interest, I think you’re going to appreciate the depth of training and resources offered by Wealthy Affiliate. Their platform is tailored to those who are serious about elevating their SEO game. I’ve been using their platform for years, and I must say, it has a free lifetime trail available but i’ve been paying to host there for the past 8 years, and plan on continuing to renew so that should speak for itself.
Remember, if there’s content you haven’t created yet, it can’t be found by your audience! Starting your SEO journey now sets you up for long-term success. So, choose something that gets you excited each morning and start crafting. It’s the perfect time to start articulating your message, amplifying your online presence, and achieving those SEO wins.
FAQ
What is SEO, and why is it important for websites?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of optimizing a website to improve its visibility on search engine result pages (SERPs). It’s essential because higher visibility increases organic traffic, helping websites reach their target audience and achieve their goals.
What are the primary components of on-page SEO?
On-page SEO involves optimizing elements within your website, such as keyword-rich content, title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and internal linking. Ensuring a fast-loading and mobile-friendly site also plays a significant role in on-page SEO success.
How do keywords impact SEO strategies?
Keywords are critical to SEO because they help search engines understand your content and match it to user queries. Using relevant, high-volume, and low-competition keywords strategically throughout your website improves your chances of ranking well.
What role does link-building play in SEO?
Link-building involves acquiring backlinks from reputable sites to your own. These links signal search engines that your content is credible and authoritative, which can boost your rankings. Quality matters more than quantity in link-building efforts.
How can beginners track their SEO performance?
Beginners can track SEO performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. These platforms provide insights into traffic, keyword rankings, click-through rates, and other key metrics essential for evaluating progress.
Is SEO a one-time task or an ongoing process?
SEO is an ongoing process. Search engines frequently update their algorithms, and competitors continually optimize their sites. Regularly updating content, analyzing performance, and adapting to changes are essential for sustained SEO success.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article please leave us a comment and check out some of our others! E-mail is monitored twice weekly if you would like to contact us with any content requests, questions, or advertising inquiries please do so at contact@vibeincome.com
last update: September 2025 – please feel free to request another update via e-mail if you feel new information may be available!
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