From SEO Novice to Website Ninja: My Hilarious Journey to Creating an SEO-Optimized Site
- Reine Desherbes
- Dec 14, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2024
SEO: the magical art of convincing Google that your website deserves a top spot on its search results. A week ago, I didn’t know where to start, and now I’m here - still not an expert, but definitely someone who has wrestled with meta tags, alt text, and header hierarchies long enough to tell the tale.
In this post, I’ll share how I went from clueless to (somewhat) confident in creating my SEO-optimized website, Think Digital Marie. Expect lots of laughs, lessons, and step-by-step advice for anyone wanting to dive into this process. Spoiler alert: it’s worth every headache!
Step 1: Starting from Zero (AKA, “What Have I Gotten Myself Into?”)
When I decided to build my own website, I had no clue where to begin. All I knew was that I wanted it to represent me, my skills, and my journey into digital marketing. But then SEO came along, and things got … complicated.
•First Challenge: I realized I didn’t just need a beautiful site. I needed Google to love it.
•First Mistake: I Googled “SEO tips” and opened about 20 tabs. (Never do this. Trust me.)
The first step? Breaking it all down into manageable chunks. I started small, focusing on the essentials.
Step 2: The Structure (Or, “Why H1 Tags Are Like a Good Table of Contents”)
SEO loves structure, and so do readers. This meant learning about header tags. Here’s what I did:
1. H1 Is Your Title Hero: My homepage’s H1 became: “Welcome to Think Digital Marie.” It’s the first thing Google sees, so make it count.
2. H2s and H3s for Subsections: I added H2s like “About My Digital Marketing Journey” and “Projects and Portfolio” to organize the page, with H3s for smaller subsections like individual projects.
3. Lesson Learned: One H1 per page, always. Multiple H1s confuse Google like too many chefs in the kitchen.
Step 3: Writing for Humans AND Robots
Next up: making sure my content was not only informative and engaging for visitors but also packed with keywords for search engines.
•Keywords: I researched terms like “digital marketing trainee,” “SEO portfolio,” and “digital marketing projects” and sprinkled them naturally into my site.
•Meta Descriptions: These are the little blurbs you see under a site’s title on Google. Mine went from, “Um, what’s this?” to “Explore Think Digital Marie, showcasing SEO, content marketing, and strategies for small businesses.”
Step 4: The Invisible Heroes (Alt Text and Sitemaps)
This is the part where I became best friends with Google Search Console and image alt text.
•Alt Text: For every image, I added descriptions like, “Think Digital Marie working on digital marketing strategies.” These aren’t just for accessibility - they help Google understand your images.
•Sitemap Submission: I uploaded my site’s sitemap to Google Search Console to let it know my pages existed. (Pro tip: Don’t skip this step!)
Step 5: The Technical Fun (Or “Compress Your Images, Save the World”)
Large images can slow down your site, which Google hates. So I compressed everything using TinyPNG. It felt like digital spring cleaning.
• Lesson Learned: Fast sites = happy users = better Google rankings.
What I Learned About SEO (and Myself)
1. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. I still don’t know everything, and that’s okay.
2. Even small tweaks make a big difference. Submitting a sitemap or adding alt text might seem minor, but they add up.
3. Patience is key. I’m now obsessively waiting for Google to index my site so I can see where I rank.
Steps to Build Your Own SEO-Optimized Site
Here’s a simplified version of my journey, perfect for beginners:
1. Choose Keywords: Research what terms are relevant to your site.
2. Structure Your Site: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to create a logical flow.
3. Add Metadata: Write unique titles and meta descriptions for every page.
4. Optimize Images: Compress them and write descriptive alt text.
5. Submit Your Sitemap: Use Google Search Console to index your site.
6. Track Your Performance: Set up Google Analytics to monitor traffic and rankings.
Excited for the Next Steps
Now, I’m waiting for the magic to happen. Will I see my site climbing the Google ranks? Will my hard work pay off? Only time (and a few more blog posts) will tell.
To anyone embarking on this journey, remember: SEO is like cooking a complicated dish. The first attempt might be messy, but you’ll get better - and it’ll be worth it.
Final Words
Building my SEO-optimized site was challenging but rewarding. If you’re ready to take on the SEO world, my advice is simple: Start small, stay curious, and laugh at your mistakes. You’ll get there.
Now, tell me - what’s the hardest part of SEO for you? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk!
FAQs - Frequent asked questions
What is SEO and why is it important for a website?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving your website to rank higher on search engines like Google. It’s important because it increases visibility, attracts organic traffic, and helps potential clients or readers find you online.
What are the key steps to make a website SEO-friendly?
Key steps include:
1. Using title tags and meta descriptions with relevant keywords.
2. Structuring content with header tags (H1, H2, H3).
3. Adding alt text to images.
4. Submitting a sitemap to Google Search Console.
5. Optimizing page speed and ensuring mobile-friendliness.
How do I choose the right keywords for my website?
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to research keywords your audience searches for. Look for terms with good search volume and low competition, and naturally include them in your content.
What is the role of header tags (H1, H2, H3) in SEO?
Header tags structure your content, making it easier for both readers and search engines to understand. An H1 is the main title, while H2s and H3s break content into organized, readable sections.
How do I write SEO-optimized meta descriptions?
An effective meta description is:
• Around 150-160 characters long.
• Includes relevant keywords naturally.
• Descriptive and compelling to encourage clicks. Example: “Learn how to create an SEO-optimized website from scratch. Follow my journey with tips, tricks, and real-world lessons!”
What is alt text, and why is it important for images?
Alt text is a short description added to images. It’s important because:
• It improves accessibility for visually impaired users.
• It helps search engines understand the image content.
• It can improve SEO rankings for image searches.
How do I check if my pages are indexed on Google?
Use Google Search Console. Enter your site URL and check the “Coverage” report to see if your pages are indexed. You can also type “site:yourwebsite.com” into Google to view indexed pages.
How can I improve my website’s loading speed?
Improve speed by:
1. Compressing images using tools like TinyPNG.
2. Reducing unnecessary code and scripts.
3. Using browser caching.
4. Choosing a reliable web host.
5. Testing with Google PageSpeed Insights to find specific issues.
How long does it take to see SEO results?
SEO is a long-term process. It typically takes 3-6 months to see noticeable improvements, depending on competition, your website’s authority, and the effort you put into optimization.
How do I track my website’s SEO performance?
Use tools like:
• Google Analytics: To track visitor data and traffic.
• Google Search Console: To monitor indexing, keywords, and site health.
• SEO Tools (like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs): For keyword performance and backlinks.
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