Guide
Your first 7 days of SEO
The absolute basics to make Google understand and rank your website.
Install Google Search Console
Go to search.google.com/search-console and add your website. Verify ownership by uploading the small HTML file or adding a DNS record. This is Google's official way of telling you how you appear in search.
Submit your sitemap
In Search Console → Sitemaps, submit yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. Most website builders (Shopify, Wix, WordPress) create this automatically.
Write a clear title tag & meta description for every page
The title tag (55–60 chars) and meta description (150–160 chars) are what show up in Google search results. Write them like a headline, clear, specific, benefit-driven.
Do simple keyword research
Type your product + city into Google (e.g. 'wedding photographer austin'). Note the suggestions Google auto-completes and the 'People also ask' box. Those are the exact phrases people search for, write pages that answer them.
Add real, useful copy to every page
Aim for at least 300 words of genuine, helpful copy on every important page. Answer real questions: what you do, who it's for, how much it costs, what happens next.
Get one good backlink
Ask your local chamber of commerce, a supplier, or a customer's blog to link to you. One relevant link from a trusted site is worth 100 spammy ones.
Check for mobile speed
Go to pagespeed.web.dev and test your homepage. Aim for at least 70 on mobile. Compress images (use WebP), remove unused plugins, use a modern theme.
That’s the whole thing.
Keep going
What to read next
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Write your first SEO-friendly blog post
Structure and write a blog post that answers a real search query, and can rank.
- 02
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Local SEO, rank in your city
The specific tactics that make Google show your business to nearby customers.
- 03
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Do proper keyword research (free tools only)
Find the exact phrases your customers are typing, without paying for SEMrush or Ahrefs.