When I first started creating content online, I thought SEO was this complicated, technical thing only experts needed to worry about. I’d publish a blog, wait for magic to happen, and wonder why nobody was reading it.
Turns out, SEO isn’t rocket science—but it does make a huge difference.
If I could go back in time, I’d tap myself on the shoulder and share these 7 simple SEO tips. They’re not flashy, but they work—and they would’ve saved me a lot of time and guesswork.
1. Keywords Are Still the Foundation—Just Don’t Stuff Them
I used to either ignore keywords or overuse them. Both are mistakes.
What I wish I knew: Start with one main keyword per page or post—something people are searching for. Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find terms with low competition but decent search volume.
Then, sprinkle that keyword naturally into your title, headers, intro, and meta description. Don’t force it.
2. Your Title Tag Is Prime Real Estate
Search engines and people both judge your content by its headline. A great title can dramatically improve your click-through rate.
Tip: Put your main keyword close to the front, keep it under 60 characters, and make it compelling. For example:
- Instead of: “Things You Can Do to Improve Your Website”
- Try: “7 Ways to Improve Website SEO (Even If You’re New)”
3. Write for Humans, Optimize for Search
Early on, I wrote blog posts for Google, not people. That was a mistake.
The best SEO content helps the reader first. Use clear language, short paragraphs, and helpful formatting like bullet points or subheadings. Google’s algorithm rewards content that answers the user’s question—not just content stuffed with keywords.
4. Internal Linking Builds Authority (and Reduces Bounce)
One thing I overlooked? Linking to my content.
Internal links help Google understand your site structure, and they guide readers to related content. It keeps visitors on your site longer and boosts page views.
Pro tip: Use descriptive anchor text (e.g., “check out this beginner SEO checklist” instead of “click here”).
5. Images Need Optimization Too
I used to upload images with names like IMG_3289.jpg. Big mistake.
Rename image files with descriptive keywords (e.g., on-page-seo-checklist.jpg) and always add alt text for accessibility and SEO. Bonus: Compress your images so they don’t slow down your site.
6. Speed and Mobile-Friendliness Are Non-Negotiable
A slow website is an SEO killer. So is one that doesn’t work well on mobile.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test to audit your site. Optimise images, remove unnecessary plugins, and consider switching to a faster host if needed.
7. You Don’t Need to Do It All at Once
This one took me a while to learn.
SEO is a long game. You don’t have to master technical SEO, link building, and content strategy all at once. Start small. Track what works. Improve as you go.
Even just consistently publishing useful content with smart keyword use and solid structure can move the needle over time.
Final Thoughts
SEO can feel overwhelming at first, but it ultimately comes down to three key steps: understanding what your audience is searching for, creating valuable content, and ensuring Google can find it.