The most beautiful website is useless if no one sees or finds it. But how can you effectively and sustainably attract users’ attention? The answer is quite simple: yes, with SEO , or search engine optimization.
Because if your website appears at the top of search engine results like Google, you’ll continually generate new visitors. In this article, I’ll show you how to achieve this and give you an insight into the basics of search engine optimization.
Contents
- What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
- Why is SEO so important?
- Search engine optimization: goals
- Digression: This industry email list is how search engines work
- Sub-areas and basics: How does SEO work?
- SEO Check: The four most important steps for a better ranking
- AI and SEO: Big changes are coming
- SEO: Tips and Best Practices
- Working in search engine optimization
When I talk about search engine optimization, many people probably immediately think of Google . It has been my preferred search engine call conversion is assessed not only for years—and perhaps yours too. Google has a global market share of around 80 percent (as of July 2024). However, this has been steadily declining, especially since the AI wave, but more on that later.
Competitors like Bing are increasingly emerging, and other search engines, such as Baidu and Yandex , are also relevant in countries like China and Russia. However, in my article, I’ll focus on Google and its algorithm. After all, its 80 percent market share is still a clear majority.
SEO and its history
The history of SEO dates back to the early 1990s , when the first search engines like Archie and Gopher appeared on the internet. The goal back then was to make websites discoverable.
When Google – now Alphabet – introduced its eponymous search engine in 1998, everything changed thanks to the algorithm it used to evaluate the relevance and quality of content.
Today , SEO is a very large field and a huge machine that requires technical knowledge, creativity and, above all, a deep understanding of how search engines work.
SEO vs. SEA: What’s the difference?
SEO takes a lot of time and effort, but it achieves lasting results by making regular adjustments and prioritizing the quality of the website and its content.
Things are different with search engine advertising (SEA): Here, you pay for optimal placement in the search results. This may get you results faster, but as soon as you stop running ads, they disappear just as quickly.
Both strategies fall under the general term of search engine marketing (SEM for short).
Why is SEO so important?
SEO is so important because it forms the basis for websites to be found in search engines . Without effective SEO measures, even the best content or products have little chance of reaching users.
In summary, the main advantages of SEO are:
- Visibility and reach : Better placement in search results ensures better visibility of the website, which leads to more business sale lead traffic (and ultimately leads).
- Trust : Users tend to trust top search results more , which strengthens the credibility and authenticity of your website.
- Competitive advantage : Companies that invest in SEO can differentiate themselves from the competition.
- Usability : Many SEO practices improve the user experience through faster loading time or mobile optimization.