Search Engine Optimisation - a brief introduction to SEO

Back Posted on 11 Jan 2014

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of working to achive the best search engine rank for a particular website for specific search terms or phrases.  SEO is a full time discipline in itself however a basic understanding of the process involved will help you achieve better results.  The resources listed below are aimed at those new to SEO.

SEO Resources from MOZ

Industry experts MOZ created a comprehensive 67 page beginners gude to SEO: The Beginners Guide To SEO

Also from MOZ is a 25 step blueprint for those with an intermediate understanding of SEO, detailing how to achieve higher rankings: How To Rank

SEO Resources from Google

Introduction to Search Engine Optimization

Google's Introduction to Search Engine Optimisation gives an overview of the steps involved as well as some important questions to ask if you are considering hiring a firm to provide SEO services.

Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide

Google publicly released a document titled Search Engine Optimisation Starter Guide that was originally for use within their own teams.  It is is useful to those that are new to the topic of search engine optimization and wish to improve their sites' interaction with both users and search engines.

One page SEO starter guide for those in a hurry

The shortest possible One Page SEO Starter Guide from Google themselves.

My two cents

If all this seems too technical it can be distilled down to a single line: Your website is for people, concentrate on making it useful to real users and the search engine basics will largely follow.

MOZ Agree:

Search Engine Optimization isn't just about "engines." It's about making your site better for people too. At Moz we believe these principles go hand in hand^[1].

[1] http://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo