Basics
Basic WordPress SEO involves setting up a strong foundation (good host, SSL, SEO plugin like Yoast/Rank Math), doing keyword research, creating high-quality content with optimized titles, descriptions, headings, and images (alt text), using internal/external links, and ensuring your site is fast and mobile-friendly, all while submitting an XML sitemap to Google Search Console to boost visibility.
1. Foundational Setup
- Reliable Hosting & SSL: Get fast hosting and use HTTPS (SSL certificate) for security and trust.
- SEO Plugin: Install a plugin like AIOSEO or Yoast to guide you through optimizations.
- Permalinks: Set your permalinks (Settings > Permalinks) to "Post name" for clean, readable URLs.
- Visibility Settings: Ensure "Discourage search engines from indexing this site" is unchecked (Settings > Reading).
2. Content Optimization (On-Page)
- Keyword Research: Find what terms people search for.
- Titles & Meta Descriptions: Write compelling titles and descriptions that include your keyword and encourage clicks.
- Headings (H1, H2, H3): Structure your content logically with headings for readability.
- Image Optimization: Compress images and add descriptive alt text.
- Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your site.
3. Technical & Off-Page SEO
- Sitemap: Generate and submit an XML sitemap via Google Search Console.
- Site Speed: Optimize for faster loading times (lightweight theme, caching).
- Mobile-Friendly: Ensure your theme looks great on all devices.
- Backlinks: Build authority by getting links from other reputable sites.
- Google Search Console: Connect your site to monitor performance and errors.
4. Key Concepts
- Crawling: Search engines find your pages.
- Indexing: Google organizes your content.
- Ranking: Google orders results by relevance.