Part 1 of the 2-part SEO series

In today’s digital world, the term “SEO” often stirs confusion and unease. Short for Search Engine Optimisation, SEO is a key practice for increasing the visibility of your website in search engine results. Yet, it’s frequently misunderstood and overcomplicated. This series aims to demystify SEO, starting with What it is and Why it matters.

What is SEO?

SEO Search Engine Optimisation is the process of boosting quality traffic to your website through Organic Search Engine Results so your site is found by the people who need You most.

Unlike a Google Paid Ad, organic SEO focuses on unpaid organic listings.

Why does SEO matter?

Every second, more than 40,000 search queries are processed on Google at Internet Live Stats >here – and it’s crazy.

Among the countless pages competing for attention, your goal is to make your Website stand out. Appearing on the first page of Search Results significantly increases the chances of your site being visited.

SEO helps bridge the gap between searchers and your Content by aligning your Website with the terms and phrases your audience is searching for. But it’s more than just technical tweaks – it’s about creating a user-friendly online presence and providing value.

Key terms to understand

1. Organic

Organic search results are the unpaid listings on a SERP Search Engine Results Page. These are determined by Google’s algorithms and are distinct from paid advertisements that appear at the top of the page.

2. Optimisation

Optimisation is boosting to achieve better results. In the context of SEO, this could involve refining your website’s structure, content or speed so it performs well in Search Engine Rankings.

The best SEO
is to love your
customers – Seth Rodin

What You need for SEO success

Success in SEO is about persistence, strategy and understanding your audience.

A solid online presence is built on 3 key pillars:

1. Google Business Listing: This helps local businesses appear in Google’s map and local search results.
2. A Website: A well-designed, user-friendly website serves as your digital hub.
3. An active online presence: Online media and social media such as Meta and LinkedIn all work to drive traffic and engagement.

Together, these digital assets form the foundation of strong SEO strategy.

Set realistic expectations

SEO takes time. Even with expert assistance, it can take 6-8 months at least, to see measurable results. This is because Google’s algorithms prioritise websites that demonstrate consistent quality and relevance over time. While paid options like Google Ads can deliver immediate visibility, true SEO is a more sustainable, long-term investment.

What’s next?

In Part 2 of this series, dive into the practical steps to optimise your website for search engines. From Keyword research to On-page optimisation, explore actionable techniques to achieve Your SEO goals.

SEO is the art and
science of pleasing
search engines