Everything you need to know about search engine optimization (SEO)

What is meant by SEO?

SEO stands for search engine optimization, which in practice means increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results (SERP). With SEO, you can increase the performance of your website and reach more potential customers. SEO is also a shortened form of the words Search Engine Optimization. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process that can help websites become more visible and rank higher in the search results of search engines like Google.

To achieve this, a number of measures are used that can affect visibility and ranking, such as improving the content and structure of the website, adding keywords and phrases to the text and building links to the website from other websites. Search engines evaluate websites based on a number of criteria, including how relevant the website is for a given search, how much competition the website has, and how often the website is updated. To achieve better rankings in the search engines, it is therefore important to keep an eye on Google's updates. This is part of a good SEO strategy.

SEO is largely about finding information that helps your website to rank better. Everyone wants to rank higher in Google searches, and this is where a good SEO strategy comes in. SEO strategy is what helps you optimize your content for better ranking.

Why is SEO important?

The goal of SEO is to rank higher on search engines like Google. Websites that rank higher naturally get more clicks. Search engine optimization can be used to increase traffic to a website and is particularly effective when you want to market a product or service and is especially effective for websites that are aimed at a specific target group. In other words, you should use SEO. It's not about getting more visitors, it's about getting more qualified visitors. This is where good SEO comes in.

Are you ready to learn some SEO? Let's get started!

SEO includes strategies you can use to increase traffic to a website. Traffic from search engines is also known as organic search. Visitors actively search for what you offer and tend to come more often. Staying ahead of your competitors can be a challenge, but that's exactly when search engine optimization comes into play. If you're ready to work with search engine optimization, you can start creating content that's relevant to your products or services.

If you work to make Google and other search engines read and understand the content on your website, you will rank higher in search results. To stand out, you must first start by understanding how search engine optimization works. I've always compared this process to a game. This game has rules, and it's Google that sets those rules. If we know these rules and play the game according to the rules, it is very unlikely that we will fail. But remember, it takes time to see results.

How do search engines actually work?

There are many factors that determine the results in the SERP, but the most important ones are relevance, authority and customization. It is important to take these factors into account, as Google and other search engines will only reward the most relevant and competent pages. Google is a high-quality search engine. With Google, you get a quality experience and real rewards for the right effort. So if we help Google get a quality experience, we will get the reward in no time. This means producing quality content, optimizing the website according to rules, working for visitors and not for search engines. In some cases, customization can also affect the final result. An example would be personalization: it could be location information, the user's search history, the device used or social connections. These are all factors that can affect your SEO strategy.

Search engines, especially Google, make changes to their algorithms every year. The aim is to provide more relevant results to visitors. As mentioned above: They make all kinds of improvements and changes to provide a better quality experience. Some changes are big and affect a large number of websites. Some are small where you barely understand what those changes are. That's why it's important to stay up to date and adapt your SEO strategy to these changes.

There have been a few major Google updates in the past year. I'll be sharing more detailed content on algorithms at the end. One important thing to remember: search engines are always working to show the best pages for the exact information you're looking for. This is where SEO analysis comes in.

The benefits of search engine optimization

Increased visibility 

With the help of search engine optimization, your company will become more visible to users searching for products or services that your company offers. This will increase traffic to your website, which in turn can lead to increased sales and more customers. This is one of the most relevant benefits of SEO.

Better ranking

With the help of search engine optimization, your website will appear higher up on the results page when users search for products or services that your company offers. This will increase conversion from visitors to customers.

Increased competitiveness

By optimizing your website for search engines, you will be able to catch up with competitors who do not use such optimization. In this case, it is important to carry out a competitor analysis. This is an important part of the SEO analysis.

How do you gain authority with Google?

You gain authority with Google by publishing a lot of content, being active on social media and being available for questions from your readers. By providing high-quality content, you will eventually be considered an expert in your field and this will give you an advantage when it comes to visibility in the search engines. There are also other aspects that will affect your authority:

Approach to search engine optimization

Black hat SEO, white hat SEO and grey hat SEO are three different approaches to search engine optimization (SEO). These terms refer to different methods and practices used to achieve higher rankings in search engine results. Let's take a closer look at each of these approaches:

Black hat SEO:

Uses manipulative techniques to improve rankings in search engine results.
Includes practices that violate search engine guidelines.
Examples of black hat SEO include hidden text, keyword spamming, link farming and content copying.
Often produces short-term results but can lead to severe penalties from search engines, including ranking drops or bans.

White hat SEO:

Focuses on following search engine guidelines and best practices.
Builds a solid and trustworthy online presence through ethical practices.
Includes producing high-quality content that is relevant and valuable to users.
Optimizes the website technically to improve the user experience and search engines' understanding of the content.
Builds authoritative and natural links by sharing valuable content and collaborating with other relevant websites.
Provides more long-term and sustainable results in search engine rankings.

Grey hat SEO:

A mix of black hat and white hat SEO practices.
May include techniques that do not directly violate search engine guidelines, but may still be questionable or border on unfair.
Examples of grey hat SEO include using links from private blog networks, paid guest posts and content production primarily for search engines.
The risk of penalties from search engines is lower compared to black hat SEO, but it is still important to be careful and follow the evolution of search engine guidelines.
To achieve sustainable success in SEO, it is recommended to follow white hat SEO principles. By producing high-quality content, optimizing your website technically and building natural and relevant links, you can improve your ranking in search engine results and create a reliable and valuable online presence. It's important to be aware that search engines are constantly updating their algorithms, so it's important to keep up to date with the latest guidelines and best practices.

Keyword analysis

Keyword analysis is an important tool for understanding which words and phrases are used to find information about a specific topic on the internet. With the help of keyword analysis, you can find out which words and phrases are important for ranking high on search engines like Google. By optimizing your website for these words and phrases, you can increase the chances of your website ranking highly in search results. After all, that's what it takes to create great content.

Technical SEO

Technical SEO is the process of optimizing a website for search engines, but it can also involve activities aimed at improving the user experience. There are several reasons to work with technical SEO. The most important reason is that this is the only way to ensure that all visitors to your website get the best experience. With technical SEO, you ensure that your site works properly, that it is fast and that it is accessible to all visitors, no matter what device they use. Search engines take a number of factors into account when ranking pages, so it's important to optimize based on these factors if you want to achieve good search results. This is part of working with search engine optimization.

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How to optimize for technical SEO?

Common tasks related to technical SEO include the following:

• Create a sitemap
• Create an SEO-friendly website structure
• Improve website speed
• Develop a mobile-friendly website
• Find and resolve duplicate content issues
• Get quality links
• Use of HTTPS

Read more about technical SEO here: https://www.reklamedia.no/artikler/hva-er-teknisk-seo-10-viktige-faktorer-for-din-nettside

Off page SEO

External optimization is about building links to your site from other websites. This can increase the authority and visibility of your website on search engines. There are several ways to build links, including guest blogging, social media, and content sharing. It's important to note that the quality of the links is more important than the quantity. Search engines assess the quality of the links pointing to your site, and links from high-quality websites will have a greater impact on your ranking than links from low-quality websites.

How to optimize for off page seo?

These methods can be used to optimize the authority of your website and increase organic search traffic:

Link building:

• Method for obtaining quality links from external websites to your own website.
• Helps increase your site's authority and visibility in search engine results.
• Build relevant and natural links from trusted sources.
• The importance of quality over quantity in link building.

Content marketing:

• Marketing strategy that focuses on creating and distributing valuable and relevant content.
• Aim to attract, engage and build trust with the target audience.
• Use of different channels such as websites, social media and videos to share content.
• Assessment of audience needs, creative content production and continuous evaluation of results.

Local SEO:

• Strategy to increase visibility and rankings in local searches.
• Especially important for businesses with physical locations or that serve a geographical area.
• Includes optimizing content, creating a Google My Business profile, encouraging reviews and participating in local events.
• The aim is to reach out to potential customers in the local area and increase local presence.

On page SEO

On page seo is the type of optimization that is related to changes made to the website. There are several reasons why this is important. Firstly, it's important because it can increase traffic to your website. Secondly, it can help increase your conversion rate, meaning more visitors will click on your ads or buy your products. And thirdly, it can help you rank higher on search engines, which in turn will attract more visitors to your website. There are a number of ways to do this and there is no single best method for a particular website. What we do know is that all websites should have quality content.

How to optimize for On page SEO?

Common tasks you should perform for On page SEO optimization are the following:

• You should publish useful content that is relevant to your industry
• Make sure your customers stay on your website for a few minutes
• You should use a unique title and meta description for each page
• Make sure to use title codes (H1-H6) correctly
• Pay attention to image optimization
• Make sure you have a mobile-friendly website with top speed.
• Use keywords and phrases that are relevant to the product or service you offer
• Add links from other websites that are relevant to the product or service you offer
• Use the search engines themselves to test the effect of different optimization strategies
• Give visitors the option to subscribe to newsletters from your website

Important concepts to know when working with On-page SEO 

When working with on-page SEO, there are some important concepts you should know. This includes concepts such as title tags, meta descriptions, header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.), alt texts for images, internal link building, and keyword optimization. Understanding these concepts will help you create a more SEO-friendly website.

Why are keywords important for SEO? 

Keywords are important for SEO because they are the phrases that users type into search engines when looking for information. By optimizing your website for relevant keywords, you can help search engines understand what your website is about, thereby increasing the chances of your website appearing in search results when someone searches for those keywords.

The mistake most people make is not searching for the right keyword. The goal is to include important keywords that describe the content we are preparing. This will make us more visible in search engines and contribute to more rewards with the keywords we have found.

Now let's examine our applied example:

Example 1

Let's say you own a company that sells cell phones. User searches for "iphone".

With this word, you might be in a good position on the search results pages. This is a highly sought-after keyword and at the same time very competitive. In addition, it is important to note that visitors are not looking to buy a phone, but perhaps looking for images and some information. This is what you will see when the search does not result in conversions.

Example 2

The user is searching for "iPhone 12 PRO 512 GB black".

This is a long tail keyword and is not as commonly searched as the keyword "iphone". However, this search is a word that is highly relevant to your website and is likely to be competitive and lead to conversions. With this word, you will be in a better position in less time.

Keyword research is one of the most important parts of the SEO process. It's all about what you want to do with conversions or inbound traffic. Do you want more traffic or do you want traffic that will generate more conversions?

Read more about On-Page SEO here: https://www.reklamedia.no/artikler/on-page-seo-en-guide-for-nybegynnere

How do I search for information for my SEO work? 

When searching for information for your SEO work, it's important to use reliable sources. This can include SEO tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console, and websites such as Search Engine Journal. You can also find valuable information by following leading SEO experts such as Neil Patel on social media.

How can I measure my SEO performance? 

There are several ways to measure SEO performance. You can use tools like Google Analytics to track traffic, conversion rates, and other important metrics. You can also use Google Search Console to see what keywords your website ranks for and how it performs in search results. Other SEO tools, such as Ahrefs, Moz, Screaming Frog, can also help you track rankings, backlinks, and other important SEO metrics.

What does SEO cost?

It's important to note that the cost of SEO can vary greatly, and for a more detailed breakdown of potential SEO pricesplease visit our dedicated page. The cost of search engine optimization (SEO) can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the scope of your project, specific requirements, the agency you choose to work with, and more. Here's a general overview:

SEO on your own

If you have basic knowledge of SEO and have the time to implement it yourself, you can minimize costs. But remember that SEO requires continuous effort and updating, and it can take time before you see results.

SEO Consultation

Consultants can charge by the hour (typically between $1,300 and $2,000 per hour) or per project. This can be an effective solution if you have an internal team that can implement the proposed strategies but need guidance.

Monthly SEO Services

Many SEO agencies offer monthly packages, where they handle all aspects of SEO for you. These can range between £20,000 and £50,000 per month, depending on the scope of services.

Project-based SEO

For larger one-off projects, agencies can charge a flat rate based on the scope of the project. This can be anything from 100,000 to 500,000 NOK, depending on the complexity of the project.

Keep in mind that these are approximate prices and the actual amount may vary depending on many factors. It's important to remember that SEO is a long-term investment and it can take several months to see significant results.

Conclusion

SEO is an important part of any digital marketing strategy. By optimizing your website for search engines, you can increase visibility, attract more traffic, and convert more visitors into customers. There are many aspects of SEO, from technical SEO to content marketing, and you may want to work with an SEO expert or a digital marketing agency to ensure you get the most out of your efforts.

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