Search Engine Optimization
In this session, we delved into the core concepts and strategies behind Search Engine Optimization (SEO)—a process that plays a critical role in improving a website’s visibility in search engine results. Here’s what we learned:
What is SEO?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, involves optimizing a website to rank higher in the “organic” or unpaid search results of search engines. This process focuses on making a site more accessible, relevant, and authoritative to attract and retain visitors.
Key Takeaways
History of SEO
- Originated in the late 1990s with early search engines like Yahoo, AskJeeves, and WebCrawler.
- Google revolutionized SEO with its algorithm, introducing ranking factors to determine a site’s position in search results.
Who are SEO Specialists?
SEO specialists optimize websites based on search engine ranking factors to influence visibility and improve organic traffic.
Benefits of SEO
- Consistent Organic Traffic: Brings free, ongoing traffic to a website.
- Improves ROI: Enhances the return on investment for businesses.
- Brand Awareness: Builds trust and establishes authority in the field.
SEO Tools and Processes
- Crawlability: Ensures search engines can access the site.
- Indexability: Confirms the site is included in search engine databases.
- Rankability: Focuses on optimizing the site for ranking.
- Analytics Tools: Google Analytics and Search Console provide insights for optimization.
We also explored tools like Yoast, robots.txt, and sitemap.xml, which help guide search engines in navigating and indexing a site effectively.
Major Ranking Factors for 2024
- High-quality and fresh content.
- Backlinks from reputable sources.
- Matching search intent with relevant content.
- Fast website loading speed.
- Optimized keywords.
- Well-structured website navigation.
- Technical SEO elements (responsive design, schema markup).
- Secure websites (SSL certificates).
- Excellent user experience.
Real-World Application: Flower Bar Cebu
We applied what we learned by performing keyword research and mapping for Flower Bar Cebu (https://flowerbarcebu.com/), a local business with no prior SEO efforts.
- Keywords Researched: Flower Shop Cebu, Flower Arrangement Cebu, Tulips Cebu.
- Tools Used: Google Keyword Planner, UberSuggest.
- Outcome: We identified key search terms to target and mapped them to relevant pages to enhance visibility.
My Portfolio Site
The knowledge gained from this session allowed me to optimize my own portfolio site, helvin.sovasites.net. I implemented keyword optimization and structured the site to rank effectively. This real-world application showcases my ability to implement SEO strategies learned during the bootcamp.
This session solidified my understanding of SEO, and I am excited to continually apply these principles to drive meaningful results for websites I work on.