Let’s be real: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can feel like a rulebook written in another language. Alt tags, load times, meta descriptions… who has the brain space for all that when you are just trying to create?

But amidst the jargon, I discovered really good news: SEO does not have to be complicated. You do not need to become an expert to see real results. With a handful of easy SEO tips for beginners (that I have tested myself!), you can start ranking higher in Google, driving more traffic, and making sure the brilliant work you pour into your content actually gets seen.

Truth to hold onto: SEO is less about gaming the system and more about making your content easier for people (and search engines like Google) to understand.

What Is SEO?

If the term “SEO” feels like marketing alphabet soup, you’re not alone. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it’s just a fancy way of saying: “Here’s how to help Google (and other search engines) find your content and share it with the right people.”

It’s less about techy jargon and more about making your content helpful and searchable. Think: using the words your audience is actually typing into the search bar, organizing your blog posts so they’re easy to read, and giving Google a few nudges to say, “Hey, this is what my content is about!”

If you’re writing content that solves a problem or answers a question your dream client is asking? You’re already halfway there.

1. Simple Formatting Tricks That Boost Your Blog’s SEO and Engagement

One of the biggest myths about SEO is that it’s all about keywords. Nope. At the end of the day, Google’s number one priority is delivering helpful results to its users. And helpful = easy to read.

We all know that feeling of, “Wait, am I supposed to understand this?”

I always tell my students to write and educate like you’re explaining your topic to a friend over coffee. Short paragraphs, clear language, no jargon unless you define it. Aim for a 6th-8th grade reading level, not because your readers aren’t smart, but because they’re busy. They don’t want to work hard to get the value.

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

• Break up walls of text with headers, subheaders, and bullet lists.
• Mix short, snappy sentences with longer, more thoughtful ones.
• Add images to give the eye a break.

I used to cram everything into giant paragraphs because I thought it made me sound more professional. The result? People clicked away. Once I simplified my structure, my time-on-page skyrocketed, and so did my search rankings.

Key Takeaway: If your post feels easy to read, Google and your readers will stick around longer.

Want to check if your website is pulling its weight? Read my post on how to tell if your site is really working for you.

2. Use Keywords Like a Compass

I resisted keywords for a long time because they felt… robotic. But once I reframed them as a compass instead of a constraint, they became one of my favorite tools.

Here’s how I do it: I keep a master list of keywords broken into “buckets” (topics I talk about often, like Pinterest, email marketing, or productivity). These are essentially my ‘content pillars’. When I sit down to write, I glance at my list and weave one or two naturally into my title, headers, and copy. That’s it.

For example, instead of writing a post called “Pinterest Tips,” I might title it “Pinterest Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners in 2025.” Same content, but now way more findable.

And let’s not forget about long-tail keywords. These are the phrases real people actually type into Google, like:

• “best email list tips for beginners”
• “how to grow website traffic fast 2025”

One of my blog posts still ranks years later because I used a specific long-tail keyword. That post keeps bringing in leads long after I stopped actively promoting it. Talk about passive traffic.

Key Takeaway: Keywords are not about stuffing; they are about helping people find exactly what they are already looking for.

3. Optimize Your On-Page SEO

When I first learned about on-page SEO (“on-page” means it’s visible SEO, like these words right here, in the headers, and in the title), I felt like I had unlocked a cheat code. These are small tweaks that make a big difference.

Here’s my checklist for every new blog post:

• Title: Include your main keyword near the top of your post.
• Meta description: Write a short, compelling summary (150-160 characters). This is what shows up in Google search results.
• Image alt tags: Describe your images so Google (and screen readers!) know what they are.
• Internal links: Link to another blog post or resource on your site.
• External links: Point to a reputable outside resource.
• URL slug: Short, simple, keyword-friendly.

At first, this felt overwhelming. Now it’s just part of my flow. I actually created a little SEO checklist I keep next to me when I’m writing and editing so I don’t forget these steps. 

(Pro tip: make your own mini checklist. Future you will thank you.)

Want to learn how to audit your own site for quick wins? Read this: 11 Easy Steps to Audit Your Website (& Make It Way More Compelling)

4. Website Loading Speed Matters More Than You Think

A few years ago, I redesigned my website. It looked gorgeous… but it was slow. Like, 8-seconds-to-load slow. Guess what happened? My rankings plummeted.

This can happen when your website is too full, it’s images are too big for no reason, and you’ve got plug-ins or broken links that aren’t getting updated and fixed. 

Google doesn’t like waiting, and neither do your readers. 53% of people leave a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load on their mobile devices (source).

Here’s what fixed it for me:

• Resizing my images before uploading .
• Updating outdated plugins.
• Switching to better hosting.
• Running a broken link check to fix 404 errors.

That one change alone (compressing my oversized images) made my site 3x faster. And within a couple months, my traffic started climbing again.

Key Takeaway: A faster site means happier readers and better rankings.

Want to boost your speed quickly (and a few other things)? Here are 5 Tricks to Fix Your Website in 15 Minutes (or Less!)

5. Share Your Content (More Than Once)

Here’s a mistake I made early on: hitting publish and then… crickets. I’d share the post once on Instagram and then wonder why no one read it.

The truth is that 20% of your content will drive 80% of your results. Too many creators focus solely on the act of creation, but not the marketing of it, which means so much of their beautiful work will go unnoticed. So, this might feel counterintuitive to the content creation norm, but instead of creating new things, your best move is to look for ways to breathe new life into what you have already created.

Now, every time I publish something new, I repurpose it across multiple channels. Instagram stories, LinkedIn posts, email newsletters, and Pinterest graphics. Each share is another signal to Google that my content is worth ranking.

And here’s the kicker: most people don’t see your content the first time you share it. Repetition isn’t annoying; it’s necessary.

When you treat your blog posts like the valuable resources they are, people start sharing them too. And every share, every link, every mention tells Google: this content is trustworthy.

Key Takeaway: Share more often than you think you should. It is what keeps your content alive and working for you.

Get more out of every post! Here’s How to Use Pinterest to Grow Your Email List

FAQs About Simple SEO Practices

Q: What are the easiest SEO tips for beginners to start with?

A: Start with the basics: write helpful content, use one main keyword in your title and headers, add alt tags to your images, and link to related posts on your site. These quick steps create a strong foundation without requiring any coding skills.

Q: How long does SEO take to show results?

A: SEO is, at its core, a long game. 82% of experts say you’ll start seeing traffic increases in ~6 months. Full results of a good SEO strategy tend to show 12-24 months down the road (source). The more you publish and optimize, the more authority Google sees in your site, and the faster your results compound.

Q: Do I need to hire an SEO expert when I’m just starting out?

A: No, you can make great progress on your own. If you are brand new, simple practices like writing scannable posts, using one or two keywords, and optimizing your on-page SEO go a long way. You can always hire an expert later to refine your strategy. Remember, this is just about testing keywords and seeing what works!

Q: What are the most common SEO mistakes beginners make?

A: The biggest beginner mistake is keyword stuffing: cramming the same keyword everywhere. Others include forgetting meta descriptions, skipping alt tags, and writing posts that are hard to read. The best way to avoid these? Keep it simple and user-friendly.

Q: Can I do SEO without paying for expensive tools?

A: Yes! Free tools are more than enough at the beginning. Google itself is your best SEO tool: use “People Also Ask” and related searches for keyword ideas. Add in Google Analytics for tracking, and you’ll have what you need without spending a dime.

SEO That Works in Real Life

Listen, I get it, SEO can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to know everything to get started. You just need to start.

SEO isn’t about tricking Google. It’s about making your content easy to read, easy to find, and easy to share. Do that consistently, and your traffic will grow.

So, here’s my challenge for you: pick just one of these easy SEO tips for beginners and try it this week. Maybe you break up a blog post into shorter paragraphs. Maybe you add alt tags to your images. Maybe you share an old post again on Pinterest or Instagram.

You don’t need to do it all at once. The magic happens when you take one step, and then another, and keep building from there. A year from now, you’ll be amazed at how far those small, simple practices have carried you.

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