ESTIMATED TIME FOR COMPLETION: 2-4 HOURS

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in the Search Engine Result Pages (SERP). This lesson explores what you can do to your website to make it perform better in the search engines.

On completion of this search engine optimisation online course you should:

• Understand the concept of on-page search engine optimisation

• Understand how to undertake keyword research

• Be aware of some of the tools available (both paid and non paid) to research potentially suitable keywords

• Understand the elements of “on page” which require to be optimised on any given web page (H1 tags, Page titles, keywords, descriptions, web page content, alt tags)

SEO ON PAGE: INTRODUCTION

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in the Search Engine Result Pages (SERP). The search engine result pages are also referred to as ‘natural’, ‘un-paid’, ‘organic’ or ‘algorithmic’ search results. This is because you can appear in the search engine results naturally without payment if you are optimising your website in a way that Google algorithms can recognise.

SEO ON PAGE: KEYWORD RESEARCH

A big part of optimising your website is picking the keywords (singular words) and key phrases (combinations of keywords) you want to be found for. Undertaking keyword research is working out what words people associate with your services, products and business.

SEO ON PAGE: PAGE TITLES

The first place we can insert some relevant keywords and key phrases are our page titles. A page title – also referred to as a title tag, tells both users and search engines what a web page is about.

SEO ON PAGE: META DESCRIPTIONS

Each page of your website should also have a Meta description. The Meta description is basically a short sentence or two and should entice people to click on your website but ideally also feature keywords.

SEO ON PAGE: HEADER TAGS

Header tags are basically a header or title on your page introducing whatever content you are featuring on that page. It is important to make sure you page headings include your keywords.

SEO ON PAGE: ALT TAGS

‘Alt tags’ are a descriptive word or sentences that sit behind an image, in the source code. Search engines can’t ‘see pictures’ they can only read text. So it is helpful for a search engine if you include a few words to explain your image.

SEO ON PAGE: WEB PAGE CONTENT

Content is the KING! Search engines love content. Google and the other search engines will ‘read’ the words on the page, at least their ‘spiders’ or ‘crawl bots’ will, and that is who we are really writing for, so that MORE people can find you.

SEO ON PAGE: CHECK YOUR SOURCE CODE

Now that you know some of the key terminology related to on page optimisation, checking the source code on some key pages of your website (if you have one) will show you if they are currently optimised or not.

SEO ON PAGE: START OPTIMISING!

Now that you are aware of the current status of your website in regards to what you are optimised for, you need to take the Keyword Research you conducted and update your website with your new titles, meta tags and web page content that will help it perform better.

• A downloadable PDF – print it out and read it at your leisure or save an online version and engage in it digitally
• A one hour (or longer) webinar recording with an expert on the topic running your through the content
• Access to our YouTube channel with several webinars and other valuable information
• Access to our Private Facebook group where you can network with other likeminded business people who are engaging in digital skills training. Ask questions, gain support, keep updated!