Week 3 - What is SEO

What is SEO and Why is It Important?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the process of improving your website so that it ranks higher on search engines like Google or Bing. When your site is well-optimized, it becomes easier for people to find you when they search for relevant topics, products, or services. SEO is important because most users never scroll past the first page of search results. If your site does not show up early, you could miss out on traffic, potential customers, and brand visibility. Good SEO helps your site appear in front of the right audience, without paying for ads.

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Please list a minimum of 10 things you should do to make sure your site is properly indexed.

10 Things You Should Do to Make Sure Your Site is Properly Indexed

1. Create a logical site structure - Organize your website with a clear hierarchy, using categories and subcategories that make it easy for both users and search engines to navigate.

2. Optimize page titles and meta descriptions - Create unique, descriptive title tags and meta descriptions for each page that include relevant keywords while accurately summarizing the page content.

3. Optimize images with alt text and compression - Add descriptive alternative text to all images, compress them for faster loading, and use descriptive file names to make them discoverable in image searches.

4. Use internal linking - Create a network of internal links that help search engines discover and understand the relationship between different pages on your site.

5. Create and submit an XML sitemap - Develop a comprehensive sitemap that lists all important pages on your site and submit it to search engines through their webmaster tools to help website crawlers efficiently discover your content.

6. Use proper heading tags (H1, H2, H3) - Structure your content with appropriate heading tags that establish content hierarchy and include relevant keywords to help search engines understand your page's topic.

7. Create high-quality, original content - Regularly publish valuable, relevant content that addresses users' needs and questions, as search engines prioritize fresh, unique content.

8. Ensure mobile responsiveness - Develop a fully responsive site that performs well on all devices, as Google now uses mobile-first indexing to determine rankings.

9. Secure your site with HTTPS - Install an SSL certificate to encrypt data and display the HTTPS protocol, as security is now a ranking signal for Google.

10. Optimize for local search - If relevant, claim and optimize your Google Business Profile, include location-specific keywords, and ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across the web.