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SEO Beginner’s Handbook

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps Google read and understand your website better, so you rank higher in search results. With strong content, good technology and online authority, you increase your findability. Follow our step-by-step plan: determine search intent, choose keywords and write SEO texts with clear structure and call-to-action.

“How does my website get to the top of Google?” That’s a question our support team at Webtify gets regularly. And that makes sense: when you build (or have us build) a website, you obviously want your target audience to actually be able to find you.

An important way to attract visitors to your website is through SEO: Search Engine Optimization . With SEO, you help search engines such as Google read, understand and evaluate your website. The better you do, the more likely you are to appear higher in search results and thus attract more relevant visitors.

When your website is technically sound and contains the right content, you attract visitors without advertising. Your target audience will find what they are looking for faster, increasing the likelihood of a purchase or contact request. Especially in a market with many vendors, it is important to be visible. With a good SEO approach, you stick your head above the ground.

In our blog post “The difference between SEO, SEA and GEO,” we already explained what SEO is and how to use it strategically to grow organically. In this blog, we take it a step further with practical tips you can apply immediately.

What factors determine good SEO?

Content

Valuable and relevant content is essential. It shows that your website fits the demand of your target audience. Content is more than just text: photos, videos, animations and infographics also count.

Is your content relevant and contains the right keywords and terms? Then your content is basically SEO-proof. If you want to improve your SEO, keep these guidelines in mind:

Write unique, relevant text (do not copy content from other websites).
Use clear headings (preferably above each paragraph or per topic block).
Incorporate the main keyword in at least one headline.
Avoid long paragraphs; keep it scannable.
Give images, videos, animations and infographics an appropriate title/subtitle.
Add internal links (for example, from a blog to your contact page or a service page).

Technology

SEO is not just about content. The technical quality of your website is just as important, because a search engine also looks at user experience. Consider questions such as:

Does my website load quickly?
Is the website user-friendly?
Does the website work well on desktop, tablet and mobile?
Is the website built in a modern CMS?

At Webtify, we make sure that this technical foundation is in place for our clients.

Authority

By authority (also called SEO authority), we mean the number and quality of external Web sites that link to your site. This is called your link profile: all the links from other websites to your site.

When multiple relevant websites refer to you, a search engine sees this as a recommendation. That helps you rank higher in search results.

Note that not every link is valuable. Search engines recognize unnatural or “bought” link strategies. Therefore, adhere to these guidelines:

Make sure links come from websites that fit your industry or topic.
Rather links from several different websites than many links from one and the same website.

Getting started with SEO

Want to get started with SEO? Then it helps to know where to start. Below is a practical SEO roadmap.

Step 1: Determine what the searcher wants

Good SEO content starts with search intent. Your page is basically an answer to a visitor’s question. Therefore, ask yourself these questions first:

What is the purpose of this page?
For whom am I writing this text?
What do I want the reader to do afterwards?
And if that doesn’t happen: what is my plan B?

Step 2: Determine your keywords

What terms does your target audience really search on? Based on that, a search engine determines who appears in the top 10. Choose keywords that: are relevant to your offering, have sufficient search volume, and are feasible in terms of competition.

Here’s how you do it:

Search Google (or another search engine) for your desired terms: who is in the top 3 and why?
The more specific the search term, the better your chances of ranking high.
Use the language of your target audience (not just technical jargon).
Process keywords naturally; don’t overdo it.
Do you work regionally? Combine keywords with place names (e.g., “web design Rotterdam” or “baker Utrecht”).

Step 3: Write strong SEO text

Always write with the reader in mind. Focus on the message and the action you want the visitor to take.

Guidelines:

Write a minimum of 300-350 words (longer is allowed, shorter is preferable).
Incorporate keywords in the title, headings and text (preferably early in the sentence).
Use keywords and synonyms, but keep it natural and readable.
In the introduction, immediately put what the page is about, including your most important keyword(s).
Use headings and bullet points: this reads pleasantly and helps SEO.
Include a clear call-to-action (e.g., contact us, request a quote, subscribe).
Link internally to relevant pages, such as services pages.

Webtify: help with SEO en GEO

Wondering how Webtify can help you with SEO and GEO? Then contact our support team and ask about the SEO/GEO subscription. Within this track, we work with a specialized copywriter who writes content that: