How to do basic SEO of website

Start with keyword research that targets actual search intent. Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or even Google Search Console to identify the terms your target audience is searching for. The goal isn't finding the highest-volume keywords—it's finding keywords where you can realistically rank and where people are actually looking to solve a problem your client solves. Once you've identified 15-30 target keywords, map them to pages on the website. Each page should have one primary keyword and 2-3 secondary keywords that naturally fit the content. Don't force keywords into pages where they don't belong; instead, organize your page structure so each piece of content serves a clear purpose in the customer journey.

On-page SEO means optimizing the elements you control directly. Put your primary keyword in the page title (keep it under 60 characters), early in the H1 tag, and naturally throughout the first 100 words of content. Write meta descriptions that accurately summarize the page and encourage clicks from search results—these don't directly affect rankings but influence click-through rates. Create genuine, helpful content that actually answers the search query better than competing pages. Google's system rewards pages that satisfy searcher intent, so a 500-word article that thoroughly answers a specific question will rank better than a 2000-word article that rambles. Make sure your content is scannable with proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3) and short paragraphs.

Technical SEO handles the backend factors that search engines need to crawl and index your site properly. Ensure the site loads fast (aim for under 3 seconds on mobile), uses HTTPS, and has a clean URL structure. Make sure the website is mobile-responsive—this is non-negotiable now. Create an XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console. Fix broken internal links and make sure your site architecture makes sense; typically 2-3 clicks from the homepage to any page works well. Internal linking is underrated: link relevant pages together using descriptive anchor text to distribute authority and help Google understand page relationships.

Finally, build backlinks by creating content worth linking to and reaching out to relevant websites in your industry. This takes time, but 10-15 quality links from authoritative sites in your niche will move the needle more than 100 spammy links. Start here, measure results in Google Search Console after 3-6 months, and refine based on actual performance data rather than assumptions.