This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Athreya aka Maneshwar
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When you build a website, you usually think about your visitors first: making it easy for them to read, explore, and enjoy your content.
But one of your most important visitors isn’t human—it’s a search engine. Search engines like Google act as matchmakers, helping people discover your content.
That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.
SEO is the practice of helping search engines understand your site so that users can find it more easily.
This guide breaks down the essentials of SEO and how you can get started.
How Does Google Search Work?
Google uses automated bots called crawlers to scan the web and add pages to its index.
Most websites are discovered automatically just by being online.
However, to improve your chances of showing up higher in search results, you’ll want to follow SEO best practices.
Remember: SEO is not a magic trick to rank #1 instantly.
It’s about consistent improvements that make your site easier for search engines to understand and users to trust.
Help Google Find Your Content
-
Check if you’re already indexed: Search
site:yourdomain.comon Google. If you see results, you’re in. - Sitemaps: You can submit a sitemap (a file listing all important URLs) to help Google discover your pages faster. Many CMS platforms generate these automatically.
- Promote your site: Links from other websites naturally help Google find your pages. Share your content and let people know about it.
Make Sure Google Sees What Users See
Google should view your site the same way a human visitor does. Avoid blocking CSS, JavaScript, or other resources that make up your site.
Use Google Search Console’s URL Inspection Tool to check what Google sees.
Organize Your Site
A clear structure makes your site easier to navigate—for both users and search engines.
-
Use descriptive URLs:
- ✅
example.com/pets/cats.html - ❌
example.com/2/6772756D7079
- ✅
Group similar pages into directories (e.g.,
/policies/,/promotions/) so Google knows which sections update frequently.Reduce duplicate content by using canonical tags or redirects.
Create Useful & Engaging Content
Ultimately, great content matters most. Follow these principles:
- Write clear, easy-to-read content with proper headings and sections.
- Keep content unique and original, not copied.
- Update old content so it stays relevant and accurate.
- Write with your audience’s search terms in mind. Think about how beginners vs. experts might search differently.
Use Links Wisely
- Internal links: Help users and Google discover related pages on your site.
-
External links: Only link to trusted sources. Use
nofollowif you don’t want Google to associate your site with another. - Anchor text: Make it descriptive (e.g., “Learn more about SEO basics” instead of “Click here”).
Optimize Titles & Snippets
- The title link is what shows up in search results. Make it unique, concise, and relevant.
- Add a meta description—a short summary of your page. This often becomes the snippet shown under your title in search results.
Add Images & Videos (the Right Way)
- Use high-quality images near relevant text.
- Always include alt text to describe images for both accessibility and SEO.
- For videos, create a dedicated page with descriptive titles and supporting text.
Promote Your Website
Even the best content needs promotion to be discovered:
- Share on social media.
- Engage in communities and forums.
- Use newsletters to keep your audience updated.
- Promote offline—business cards, flyers, or word of mouth.
Final Thoughts
SEO is not about shortcuts or secret hacks—it’s about making your website better for both users and search engines. Focus on:
- Clear site structure
- Quality, helpful content
- Smart linking practices
- Optimized titles, images, and media
Do these consistently, and your site will have a much better chance of being discovered and trusted by users searching on Google.
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This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Athreya aka Maneshwar
Athreya aka Maneshwar | Sciencx (2025-08-23T12:56:53+00:00) SEO Starter Guide: How to Get Your Website Found on Google. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/23/seo-starter-guide-how-to-get-your-website-found-on-google/
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