Why it matters
SEO: How it works. Search Engine Optimisation is one of the most powerful digital marketing tools available — but for many business owners, it still feels like a mystery. If you’ve ever asked, “How does SEO work?” — this blog is for you.
Let’s break it down and clearly so you can understand how to make SEO work for your business.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s the process of improving your website to help it appear higher in search engine results (like Google) when people search for products or services you offer.
The goal?
👉 Get found online by the right people at the right time.
Why SEO matters for your business
Imagine your ideal customer is searching on Google for something you offer, but your website isn’t showing up.
That’s a missed opportunity.
With good SEO, you can:
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Increase your visibility online
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Drive more qualified traffic to your website
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Build trust and credibility
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Get more leads and sales — organically
How SEO works:
The basics
Search engines like Google use complex algorithms to decide which pages to show first in search results. SEO is all about helping search engines understand your content — and proving that it’s valuable and relevant.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Keyword research
This is where it all starts.
Keyword research means finding the words and phrases your potential customers are typing into Google — and using them strategically in your website content.
Example: If you’re a plumber in Manchester, a valuable keyword might be “emergency plumber Manchester.”
On-page SEO
On-page SEO is about optimising the content and structure of your website.
Key elements include:
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Page titles and meta descriptions
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Header tags (H1, H2, H3…)
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Image alt text
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Internal linking
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Keyword placement (but no keyword stuffing!)
Technical SEO
Search engines need to be able to crawl and index your website properly. Technical SEO ensures your site is easy for Google to navigate.
Important aspects include:
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Fast page speed
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Mobile responsiveness
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Secure (HTTPS) connection
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XML sitemaps and clean URLs
Content quality
Google loves useful, original and valuable content.
The better your content, the more likely it is to rank — and attract backlinks from other websites.Types of content that work well:
- Blogs and how-to guides
- FAQs
- Product/service pages
- Case studies or testimonials
Backlinks (Off-Page SEO)
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to yours. They act like “votes” that tell search engines your site is trustworthy.
You can earn backlinks by:
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Creating high-quality content
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Guest posting
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Building relationships with other businesses or bloggers
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How long does SEO take?
SEO isn’t instant, but it’s worth it.
Typically, you’ll start seeing results within 3 to 6 months, depending on competition and how much effort you put in. But the effects of SEO are long-lasting and can snowball over time.
Summery
SEO isn’t just a buzzword — it’s an essential part of any smart online marketing strategy. SEO Done right, it brings you consistent traffic, builds authority, and helps grow your business without relying on ads alone.
Want help getting your business found online?
