How SEO Works

Alright, let’s dive into SEO—Search Engine Optimization—a term that might sound like it belongs in a techie’s world, but I promise, it’s way simpler than it sounds. SEO is like the secret sauce that helps your website, blog, or online shop show up when people search for stuff on Google. You want to show up, right? Because what good is having an amazing business or killer blog if no one ever finds it? That’s where SEO comes in.

Imagine Google & Pinterest (or any search engine) as a massive library. When someone types something in the search bar—whether it's "best coffee in town" or "how to declutter my life"—Google's job is to find the most relevant books (aka websites) and put them right in front of the searcher. But here’s the kicker: Google doesn’t just pull up random stuff. It uses a super-smart system (algorithms) to decide what’s helpful and what’s... not. SEO helps you make sure your website is one of those "helpful" resources.

So, how does SEO actually work?

Think of it as making your website really easy for Google to read. Google can’t “see” your beautiful website design, your photos, or your fancy font choices. It can only "read" the text on your site and look at how everything is organized. This is why using the right words—keywords—is so important. Keywords are like the words you want to be found for. If you run a bakery in Phoenix, you'd want to show up when people search for things like “best bakery in Phoenix” or “gluten-free cupcakes.” These keywords help Google know what your site is all about.

But wait, it's not just about stuffing a ton of keywords into your website like you're cramming for a test (Google doesn't love that, by the way). It's about using keywords naturally, in places like your website headings, blog posts, and even in the description of your photos. Think of keywords like little breadcrumbs you leave for Google to follow so it knows exactly where to lead people who are searching for what you offer.

Now, here's where it gets a little deeper (but stay with me). Google doesn’t just look at the words you use; it also looks at how trustworthy and helpful your site seems to others. Do other websites link back to your site? Do people spend time on your pages, or do they leave right away? These are clues that tell Google, "Hey, this site is pretty legit!" The more legit your site looks, the higher up you’ll rank on the search results page. And let’s be real—when was the last time you clicked on the second or third page of Google results?

Exactly.

But here's the good news: you don’t need to be an SEO wizard to make this work. A few simple tweaks can make a world of difference. You can start by making sure your site loads quickly (Google loves fast websites) and is easy to navigate. Broken links, messy layouts, or text that’s impossible to read on a phone? No bueno. Google will send people elsewhere if your site isn’t user-friendly.

Also, regular content updates? Big win! Google loves fresh content. So, whether it's a new blog post, updated product descriptions, or even a seasonal service offering, keeping your site active signals to Google that you’re alive and kicking.

SEO is not magic, and it’s not instant. It’s like planting seeds in a garden—you won’t see blooms overnight, but with consistency and care, your website will start to climb the ranks. So don’t stress if you don’t see results in a day or even a week. Keep at it, and remember: Google rewards helpful, clear, and engaging content. So focus on serving your audience first, and SEO will naturally follow.

In a nutshell, SEO is all about speaking Google’s language, making your site easy to read (for both humans and search engines), and building credibility over time. If you’re consistent, you’ll start to see the magic of SEO work in your favor. Think of it as an investment in your business that grows over time, delivering more eyeballs to your site and, eventually, more sales or subscribers.

Still confused? No worries. SEO is one of those things that becomes clearer the more you work with it. And hey, if you need a hand, I’ve got you—because making SEO simple is kind of my jam.

Ready to make SEO work for you? Let’s do it. Grab my SEO Quick Guide to help you get started today!

GRAB IT HERE.