SEO Tutorial for Beginners: A Simple 9-Step Plan to Get Found on Google
Feeling overwhelmed by SEO? You’re not alone. Many UK business owners, marketers, and freelancers know they need to “do SEO” but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
This beginner-friendly SEO tutorial breaks everything down into manageable steps. You don’t need to be a tech whizz or marketing expert — just follow this practical guide and you’ll understand how to get your website seen by more of the right people.
Let’s strip out the jargon and give you the clarity, confidence, and control to make your website work harder for you.
What Is SEO and Why Should You Care?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of improving your website to increase its visibility in search engine results — especially Google.
The goal? Simple: appear when someone searches for a product, service, or topic related to your business.
If you’re not ranking, you’re not being found. And if you’re not being found, you’re handing business to your competitors.
Here’s why it matters:
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine
- 75% of people never scroll past the first page of results
- SEO drives over 50% of most website traffic
So, learning the basics of SEO can be a huge advantage — especially if you want to stand out in the crowded UK market.
The Beginner’s 9-Step SEO Tutorial
1. Understand Your Audience and Their Search Intent
Before you touch your website, ask:
- Who are my ideal customers?
- What problems are they trying to solve?
- What would they type into Google to find me?
This is where SEO starts — with understanding search intent. For example, someone searching “emergency plumber Manchester” wants help now. Tailor your content accordingly.
2. Do Simple Keyword Research
Keywords are the foundation of SEO. These are the words and phrases people type into search engines.
Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google’s Keyword Planner to find:
- Short keywords (e.g. “garden design”)
- Long-tail keywords (e.g. “affordable garden design Nottingham”)
- Question keywords (e.g. “how much does garden design cost UK?”)
Aim for a mix of low-to-medium competition keywords relevant to your products or services.
3. Optimise Each Page on Your Website
Each page should target a specific keyword. Here’s where to place it:
- Page title (H1 tag)
- Meta title and description
- First 100 words of content
- Subheadings (H2, H3)
- Image filenames and alt tags
- Page URL (slug)
Avoid “keyword stuffing”. Keep it natural and readable.
4. Write Helpful, Valuable Content
Search engines prioritise content that genuinely helps users. For beginners, this means writing clearly, answering real questions, and avoiding waffle.
Examples of content that works well:
- Blog posts
- FAQs
- “How-to” guides
- Service explanations
- Location-based landing pages
Write for your audience first — then optimise for Google.
5. Improve Your Site’s Speed and Mobile Performance
Google rewards fast, mobile-friendly websites. Check your site using PageSpeed Insights and look for issues like:
- Slow-loading images
- Unnecessary plugins
- Poor mobile layout
- Excessive JavaScript
Most visitors will leave if your page takes longer than 3 seconds to load — especially on mobile.
6. Set Up Google Search Console and Google Analytics
These free tools from Google are essential.
- Google Search Console shows how your site is performing in search results, flags errors, and helps you improve.
- Google Analytics shows who’s visiting your site, from where, and what they do once they’re there.
Check them weekly to track progress and spot opportunities.
7. Use Internal Links to Keep Visitors Engaged
Link from one page to another using relevant anchor text. For example:
“If you’re new to SEO, check out our guide to on-page optimisation.”
This helps Google understand your site structure and keeps users exploring your content.
8. Build Trust with Backlinks
A backlink is when another website links to yours. Google sees this as a sign of credibility.
Here’s how to get quality backlinks:
- Submit your site to local directories (Yell, FreeIndex)
- Ask suppliers or partners to link to you
- Share content on LinkedIn or in local Facebook groups
- Write guest posts for UK blogs or business sites
Backlinks don’t need to be spammy or complicated — just focus on relevance and quality.
9. Create a Google Business Profile (If You’re Local)
If you serve a specific town or region, this is vital. A Google Business Profile puts you on the map (literally), helps you appear in local searches and lets customers leave reviews.
Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across your website, social media, and directory listings.
FAQs: SEO for Beginners
Do I need to pay for SEO tools to get started?
Not at all. Plenty of free tools (like Google Search Console, Ubersuggest, and MozBar) are perfect for beginners.
Can I do SEO without blogging?
Yes, though blogging helps by increasing keyword opportunities. At a minimum, make sure your core service pages are optimised.
How long does it take to see results?
You might see small changes in a few weeks, but significant improvements often take 3–6 months. SEO is a long-term strategy.
Is SEO only for big businesses?
Not at all. In fact, local SEO gives small businesses in the UK a real chance to compete with national brands.
Conclusion
SEO doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right mindset and a bit of time each week, you can make real progress — even as a beginner. The key is to start simple, stay consistent, and keep learning.
Use this SEO tutorial as your roadmap. Tick off one step at a time and you’ll soon see more traffic, more leads, and better visibility on Google — right where your customers are looking.
Looking for an SEO Agency in Derbyshire?
If this all sounds a bit too much to tackle alone, you don’t have to go it alone. Working with an experienced SEO agency in Derbyshire can save you time, avoid common pitfalls, and get you results faster.
A local agency understands your market, your competition, and how to attract customers from your specific area. Whether you’re a start-up in Chesterfield or an established business in Derby, the right SEO support can make a noticeable difference to your online visibility.
