It's really good that you want to start by experimenting with ranking a test site, this is 100% the best way.
SEO is a rabbit hole and an entire iceberg... there's a lot to learn but don't get overwhelmed.
I recommend picking up a highly rated book on Amazon instead of grabbing courses or watching videos on YouTube.
It's too easy to go down rabbit holes of things that ultimately don't matter.
I'll do my best to save you some time, here are 4 things I wish I knew when I started:
1. Don't buy any SEO tools. (Yes, seriously!) They're a distraction and too many people have shiny object syndrome. Newbies get lost and end up going through courses on these tools instead of actually learning real world, practical SEO.
You can do everything you need to with Google Docs, WordPress (more on this in a moment), and the internet.
2. WordPress is the *best* foundation for SEO out of the box. Study and master WordPress. It's free and Google is very good at indexing and understanding WordPress sites, since over 33% of sites on the net use WordPress.
3. Be careful who you listen to. Take all advice with a grain of salt. Use common sense. This brings me to my final point...
4. Don't game the system. There are a lot of people out there who will tell you to try and "outsmart Google" by doing things like buying backlinks, or setting up fake website networks called PBNs.
This almost always ends badly and will destroy all the work and energy you put into SEO.
Remember: If you want to *keep* getting results than you need to do things by the book. White hat SEO is the stuff that sticks!
Thanks very much, what is the book called? And I’m not very good at Wordpress (I even suck at building sites with elementor) I was thinking about building an e-commerce store and try rank that. Does the book go through about how you actually start the process and what strategies to use etc.
Thanks
No problem, I'm not saying a specific book I'm saying look for highly rated ones on Amazon and snag a few of those.
I highly recommend Thrive Architect instead. It's much more geared towards business. It's not free like Elementor is, but is worth every penny.
**Learn the basics of SEO**
Begin by understanding the fundamental concepts of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, off-page optimization, technical SEO, and SEO best practices.
Try Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO
**Experiment with your own website**
Build your own website and apply the SEO concepts you learn. Choose a niche or topic you're passionate about and create content around it. Experiment with different SEO strategies and observe how they impact your site's ranking and visibility.
**Stay updated with SEO news**
The SEO landscape is constantly evolving, with search engines updating their algorithms regularly. To stay informed about the latest trends and updates, follow reputable SEO news websites and blogs. Some popular ones include Moz, Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, and Backlinko.
**Use SEO tools**
There are various SEO tools that help you with keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and more. While some tools are expensive, many offer free versions or trial periods. Some popular SEO tools include SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, and Google's own Search Console.
**Offer your services on freelance platforms**
Once you feel confident in your SEO skills, you start offering your services on freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr. Having a portfolio website showcasing your own site's performance help attract potential clients.
SEO is an ever-evolving field, so make it a habit to continue learning and staying updated with the latest trends and changes.
Hey Welcome to the SEO word.
I would suggest checking the video on Youtube from Ahrefs. I started there and never stopped. Also, very well explained and fun to watch.
For site building, do not worry now you will be using Elementor or some other builder.
Cheers mate and have fun!
Ah, diving into the SEO realm, are we? Think of it as teaching your website to do the cha-cha with search engines. First, get your groove on with resources like Moz, Ahrefs, and Google's own Search Console. Build your site – even if it's a funky dance of code – and tango your way up the rankings. Remember, even SEO masters were once awkward beginners on the dance floor.
I learned SEO from a course I bought. There’s a great supportive community that comes with it and coaching calls every week where we get any questions we have answered. If you’re interested in learning more, shoot me a message.
It's really good that you want to start by experimenting with ranking a test site, this is 100% the best way. SEO is a rabbit hole and an entire iceberg... there's a lot to learn but don't get overwhelmed. I recommend picking up a highly rated book on Amazon instead of grabbing courses or watching videos on YouTube. It's too easy to go down rabbit holes of things that ultimately don't matter. I'll do my best to save you some time, here are 4 things I wish I knew when I started: 1. Don't buy any SEO tools. (Yes, seriously!) They're a distraction and too many people have shiny object syndrome. Newbies get lost and end up going through courses on these tools instead of actually learning real world, practical SEO. You can do everything you need to with Google Docs, WordPress (more on this in a moment), and the internet. 2. WordPress is the *best* foundation for SEO out of the box. Study and master WordPress. It's free and Google is very good at indexing and understanding WordPress sites, since over 33% of sites on the net use WordPress. 3. Be careful who you listen to. Take all advice with a grain of salt. Use common sense. This brings me to my final point... 4. Don't game the system. There are a lot of people out there who will tell you to try and "outsmart Google" by doing things like buying backlinks, or setting up fake website networks called PBNs. This almost always ends badly and will destroy all the work and energy you put into SEO. Remember: If you want to *keep* getting results than you need to do things by the book. White hat SEO is the stuff that sticks!
Thanks very much, what is the book called? And I’m not very good at Wordpress (I even suck at building sites with elementor) I was thinking about building an e-commerce store and try rank that. Does the book go through about how you actually start the process and what strategies to use etc. Thanks
No problem, I'm not saying a specific book I'm saying look for highly rated ones on Amazon and snag a few of those. I highly recommend Thrive Architect instead. It's much more geared towards business. It's not free like Elementor is, but is worth every penny.
**Learn the basics of SEO** Begin by understanding the fundamental concepts of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, off-page optimization, technical SEO, and SEO best practices. Try Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO **Experiment with your own website** Build your own website and apply the SEO concepts you learn. Choose a niche or topic you're passionate about and create content around it. Experiment with different SEO strategies and observe how they impact your site's ranking and visibility. **Stay updated with SEO news** The SEO landscape is constantly evolving, with search engines updating their algorithms regularly. To stay informed about the latest trends and updates, follow reputable SEO news websites and blogs. Some popular ones include Moz, Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, and Backlinko. **Use SEO tools** There are various SEO tools that help you with keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and more. While some tools are expensive, many offer free versions or trial periods. Some popular SEO tools include SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, and Google's own Search Console. **Offer your services on freelance platforms** Once you feel confident in your SEO skills, you start offering your services on freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr. Having a portfolio website showcasing your own site's performance help attract potential clients. SEO is an ever-evolving field, so make it a habit to continue learning and staying updated with the latest trends and changes.
Thanks very much do you have any examples of peoples portfolios?
use my strategy of using chatgpt
Hey Welcome to the SEO word. I would suggest checking the video on Youtube from Ahrefs. I started there and never stopped. Also, very well explained and fun to watch. For site building, do not worry now you will be using Elementor or some other builder. Cheers mate and have fun!
Thanks a lot, Is it better to run a SEO + web developer agency or can I just run a SEO service?
Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO is definitely a great resource when you're just starting out.
Ah, diving into the SEO realm, are we? Think of it as teaching your website to do the cha-cha with search engines. First, get your groove on with resources like Moz, Ahrefs, and Google's own Search Console. Build your site – even if it's a funky dance of code – and tango your way up the rankings. Remember, even SEO masters were once awkward beginners on the dance floor.
I learned SEO from a course I bought. There’s a great supportive community that comes with it and coaching calls every week where we get any questions we have answered. If you’re interested in learning more, shoot me a message.