Hello Nillio! It’s fantastic that you’re considering a career in SEO. To start learning SEO from scratch, here’s a step-by-step guide on what you should focus on first:
- Understanding Search Engines: Start by gaining a basic understanding of how search engines like Google work. Learn about crawling, indexing, and how search engine algorithms rank web pages.
- Keyword Research: Begin with keyword research. Learn how to identify relevant keywords that your target audience is searching for. Tools like: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can be helpful.
- On-Page Optimization: Familiarize yourself with on-page optimization techniques. This includes optimizing titles, headings, meta descriptions, and content for target keywords while ensuring readability and user value.
- Content Creation and Quality: Learn how to create high-quality, valuable, and relevant content. Understand the importance of addressing user intent and providing solutions to their queries.
- Technical SEO: Get acquainted with technical aspects like website structure, URL optimization, site speed, mobile-friendliness, and XML sitemaps. These factors influence how search engines crawl and index your site.
- Backlink Basics: Gain a basic understanding of backlinks and their importance in SEO. Learn about the difference between good and bad backlinks and how they affect your site’s authority.
- User Experience (UX): Understand the significance of user experience in SEO. Learn about responsive design, navigation, and overall website usability.
- Google Search Console and Google Analytics: Learn how to use Google Search Console to monitor your site’s performance in search results and identify issues. Google Analytics helps you track user behavior and site traffic.
- Basic HTML and CSS: While not mandatory, having a basic understanding of HTML and CSS can be beneficial for making minor on-page optimizations.
- Stay Updated: SEO is constantly evolving. Stay up-to-date with industry news, algorithm updates, and trends through reputable blogs, forums, and newsletters.
- Practical Implementation: As you learn, apply what you’ve learned to real-world projects. Experimenting and seeing results firsthand will enhance your understanding.
- Online Courses and Resources: Enroll in online SEO courses or follow reputable blogs, websites, and video tutorials dedicated to teaching SEO. Resources from Moz, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Neil Patel are great places to start.
Remember that SEO is a continuous learning process, and it takes time to become proficient. Be patient with yourself and don’t hesitate to ask questions in forums, communities, or online groups. As you build your knowledge and skills, you’ll become more confident in your abilities as an SEO professional.