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SEO for beginners in 5 Easy Steps

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What is SEO
Image by chetan kotadiya from Pixabay

I am going to talk to you about SEO.

SEO full form Search Engine Optimization 

It is one of the Important Components in Digital Marketing. 

If you want to learn and understand the basics of SEO Without spending hours, then this article is for you. 

Reading time: 5-6 minutes.

I have decoded SEO for Beginners. All your basic questions about SEO are answered in this article to get started.

After reading this

You will be able to answer
  1. Why SEO?
  2. What is SEO? How it Works
  3. How Search Engine Works (Google)
  4. Google Ranking Factors 
  5. Importance of Keyword Research 

This article is not a complete guide on SEO. I have explained in a simple way for beginners like you.

I have highlighted the benefits of SEO wherever possible. It will help you digest the concepts faster.

SEO is a big subject. I’m Planing to write a detailed article in the future. 

Subscribe to my Blog. You will get a mail notification when I publish the same.

Let us jump in. 

I will be using the term Blog and Website throughout this post. Both the terms mean the same.

Why SEO 

The simple answer is

 To rank a website on top of the Search Engine Results Page [SERP]

It is also called Organic Search Results. In other words, it is a non Paid traffic to your website.

It is the natural way of ranking your website in SERP. Remember SERP full form?

Yes? No? Okay, One more time it is ‘Search Engine Results Page’

 SEO is something that you can control. Yes, you have absolute control over the elements and content of your website. Right?

Because you own and mange your website.

Hence SEO is an easy and cost-effective way to drive users to your website. 

With high-quality and relevant content, your site will get high visibility in Google and other Search Engines.  

SEO Benefits:

  • The majority of Traffic is via Search Engine (Google) 
  • Drives free Traffic to your Blog
  • Builds Trust and Credibility with your visitors
  • High Visibility for your Brand
  • Cost-Effective Method

SEO plays a vital role in your Content Marketing Strategy.

What is SEO? How it works

If you want to understand What SEO is. 

You may check SEO Definition Here. Ctrl+F ‘NeilPatel’ to find it quickly!

Okay.

First, you need to know and understand How Search Engine Work.

When I say Search Engine, I am talking about Google. You may think why only Google. Why not Yahoo or Bing.

Let me share a few facts about Search Engine Market Share.

Google is the market leader in this segment. Google dominates the Search Engine Space with around 90 percent of the market share. Other players like Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, and Yandex have 6%, 2.5%, and less than 1% share.

Source: Statista. As of October 2020. 

In this article, I am going to focus only on Google.

How Search Engine Works
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

How Google Search Engine Works

There are three parties involved in a Search Ecosystem. 

  1. The User (The Searcher)
  2. The Search Engine (Google)
  3. The Website

Google returns the best and relevant results on SERP for its users based on 

  • Search Query (Keywords) (User Intent)
  • Crawling 
  • Indexing

Crawling is a process where Google bots scan your entire website content and store it in Search Index. Google uses a computer program called Spider for crawling.

Indexing is like the library of all the webpages on the internet. Google has hundreds of billions of web pages in its Search Index. 

Based on a search query, Google algorithms sort through billions of pages in its Search Index to find relevant webpages for its users. 

If you want to learn more, Check this link to know more about: How Google Search Algorithms Work.

So now you know How Google Search Works. And it is the popular and has biggest market share.

You have a basic idea of how Google does it.

The next step is to optimize your website content and elements. 

Here comes the SEO!

SEO is nothing but making things easy for Google to Crawl and Index your Blog. That is SEO!

But there is more to it. 

How Google Ranking Works

Google considers around 200 ranking factors. Following are some of the known factors that Google uses for Ranking.

Major Factors are
  • Relevancy of the Content
  • User Experience
  • The freshness of the content.
  • Page Loading Speed 
  • Average time spent by users on a website
  • Bounce Rate – Users leaving your webpage without viewing any other pages or content on your website. 
  • Location
  • Language
  • Mobile Frist Indexing (March 2021)

The Weightage for these factors varies depending upon the search query.

 Google Mobile-First Indexing of all the sites in Search time frame extended to March 2021. It means Google bots will only get information from Mobile Content from March 2021 on wards. 

Learn more about Mobile First

Types of SEO 

There are two types On-Page and Off-Page.

On-Page SEO is a process of Optimizing content and elements in your Blog itself.

  • Title Tag – 50-60 characters that summaries the nature of the content
  • Meta Description – A Tag in HTML. 160 characters snippet used to summarize a page’s content.
  • Header Tag (H1, H2, H3)
  • Keyword Usage
  • Internal Links – Click here for internal link example. It is my ‘About Page’
  • Site Maps

Off-Page SEO is a process of linking from one website page to another website. Also, Known as inbound links or Backlinks, or incoming links.

Off-Page initiatives improve your domain authority, credibility, and page ranking. More relevant backlinks better it is for Organic Ranking.

These backlinks signal Google that your content is of High quality and relevancy.

Google considers backlinks as ‘votes’ for the page that it links. Know more about Backlinks Strategy here.

keyword research
Image by KERBSTONE from Pixabay

Keyword Research

Keyword research is the first step of SEO. It is the foundation of SEO.

Always do keyword research before creating any content for your Blog. 

Why it's important? 

Simple. People use keywords to search for information on Google. 

A well-researched keyword website will always get more Traffic. 

Ignore this step. You will get fewer visitors to your Blog. 

And it will lead to poor SEO optimization.

There are two types of keyword research. 

Short-Tail & Long-Tail Keywords

For example, let say you want to know, What is SEO?

You will type ‘SEO’ in the Google Search Bar. 

That is a Short Tail keyword. ‘SEO’ is your Search Query here.

Short Tail examples: SEO, SEO Definition & SEO Full Form. 

Usually, less than three words. Short tails are Very Generic.

If you go ahead and type ‘How to Optimize your Website for SEO’

That is a Long Tail Keywords. Generally more than three words and very specific.

Long-Tail Examples
  • What is SEO and how it works
  • How SEO works in digital marketing

If you have observed, I have used Keywords throughout this article. 

Just scroll this article and check the URL, the title, Headers (sub-headings) Go and Google ‘SEO’

You will find these keywords in

‘People also ask’ & ‘Searches related to SEO’ at the end of Search Engine Results Page of the Google

I have done my keyword research before writing this article. 

I know people are using these keywords as a ‘search query’ in Google. 

So keyword research is a crucial step in SEO. 

Keyword tools

As a beginner use Google itself. See how it works.

I mean just go and type a keyword. See what Google suggests as you type a keyword.

search predictions

Try different keyword combinations.

Once you hit the Search button scroll down to see “Searches related to” section at the bottom of the SERP.

These related terms are automatically generated by Google algorithm based on your search.

Check the screenshot below.

SEO full form

Now you understand why you see those Keywords through out this article.

Good.

If you like to explore keyword tools. Try.

Google Keyword Planner – It is free but you need to Sing up for Google Ads account first to access it. All the Google products can be accessed through your existing Gmail.

Ubersuggest – Free version will give you three daily searches.

Conclusion

That is Search Engine Optimization for you. And that’s how SEO works.

I would like to tell you SEO is a long term strategy in Digital Marketing. 

So having understood Why, What, How SEO and Google Rank webpages.

And finally how to do basic keyword research.

Go put this into practice. 

No matter whether it is your free WordPress blog or a business website. Just optimize your website for Google.

Yes, Google loves it.

Because Google’s goal is to provide best user experience and relevant information.

That is why we use Google everyday. Can you image a world without Google!

Even a Non-profit website need SEO and must understand the basic concepts of Marketing to have visibility in this Internet era.

Don’t forget to do ‘Keyword Research’

Go and do both On-page and Off-Page optimization.

It is free and this is something you can control. Why not capitalize SEO to drive free traffic.

However, it will take time for your website to get desired results. 

Even if you do all SEO optimization. It will take six months at least or even one year.

So don’t lose your enthusiasm.

Everything takes time!

But the good news is. If you SEO optimize your website.

Its impact will last for a long time. 

You will continue to enjoy Organic Traffic. In other words, Free high Quality and Quantity visitors to your website. 

Tell me what you liked about this article. Leave your feedback in the comment section.

I hope it was useful to you.

Now you can help others answer those five questions by Sharing it.

Thank You.

Digital Marketing Skills For Recruiters

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Digital Marketing For Recruiters

Importance of Digital Marketing Skills

Today I am going to talk about ‘Digital Marketing Skills for Recruiters’. And why it is important for Recruitment Professionals.

As a recruiter, are you lacking guidance to learn Digital Marketing Skills (DMS)?

Feeling outdated? Want to stay relevant and stand out as a recruiter with Digital Recruiting Skills?

Then you are at the right place. I can help you learn.

Welcome to TheDigitalBen.com. I decode Digital Marketing for Recruitment Professionals like you.

Read and subscribe to blog for Digital Marketing Tips and Hacks.

This will help you stay relevant and updated in your role as a Recruiter.

So that Companies love to hire you.

You can stand out from other recruiters in the market.

Imagine people walking to your cubicle for solutions.

And you solving Recruiting challenges and problems using Digital Technologies.

Feels great right!

But you cannot do this without understanding Digital Marketing Eco System.

With right mindset and guidance you can become a Digital Recruiting Expert.

This will help you create Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding for your Company.

I am Digital Ben. I help Recruiters find and attract Talent easier and faster using Digital Marketing tactics and techniques.

Click here to know more about me.

Save Your Time

When I started researching about Digital Marketing, the information seemed more generic.

Very few sites had content focusing on its application in Recruitment.

So I ended up wasting my time without proper resources and guidance.

However, with proper guidance and approach you can learn and deploy Digital Marketing Skills in your Recruiting Strategy.

You do not have to go through the same pitfalls.

I can help you Save your time.

Let us dive in.

Overview

In this post, I will be giving you a quick overview about Digital Marketing Skills.

Why is it important and how to start.

What kind of Mindset you need to learn so that you can apply it in your Recruitment Cycle.

Because when I started I had no idea how complex and vast it was.

Today’s article is not a comprehensive guide. No one can cover this subject in one single article.

In other words, it is similar to your college degree.

You did not earn your degree by just reading an article. It would have taken 3-5 years of learning.

So learning Digital Marketing is not going to be different right?

So stay with me.

It a long road ahead!

How I Started to learn Digital Marketing skills

When I started researching about the topic I was bombarded with new terms every time.

I often see terms and short forms like SEO, SEM, Content Marketing, Back Links, SERP, CTR, Landing Page, Bounce Rate, CTA and the list goes on.

With so many terminologies related to Digital Marketing, I felt I need a Digital Marketing Glossary.

Of course you need one like we have for every language.

I am sure you too would have stumbled upon many jargon and felt the same.

Moreover, you will encounter tools and Brand names that are scattered across the internet.

Brands like Buffer, HubSpot, HootSuite, SEMrush, Uber Suggest, Mailchimp, Ahrefs, Canva, Google Adwords, Facebook Ads……the list is endless.

By the time you navigate all these information you wonder, ‘How the hell these things are connected?

Why there are so many products and tools? How to use it?

How are they related to each other?

It only gets complex and deeper as you research.

You realize the buzz word ‘Digital Marketing’ is not as easy as it sounds by now.

You are lost in its vastness and complex connections. And that is how it is going to be.

Learning and Adapting Daily

Everyday you will learn something new in Digital Marketing.

Because any thing in digital form can be changed with a click of a button. That is the beauty of it.

You know how this works right. You get a notification to update your favorite Mobile apps, website, or new themes on Social Media sites.

So you may come across new tools, plugins, and new products almost everyday.

You need to adapt and learn these every changing versions and new products in market.

So you got to update yourself constantly. That is going to be a lot of learning on a daily basis.

The very article you are reading right now is not the first version I created.

I have edited it multiple times before and after it was published.

Even I experimented with different themes and layouts for the blog. All with just few clicks.

This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of the digital world.

And it is not possible with a print version of a magazine or a newsletter.

That’s Digital platforms for you. So…

Digital Marketing Skills for Recruiters
is key to
Winning the Talent War.

Firstly,

Recruiting landscape has changed a lot with the advent of Digital revolution in the past decade. Above all, your role as a Recruiter has changed.

So you need to stay relevant and update yourself to progress in your career.

You also realized that Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding Skills is essential today.

That is why you are reading this post.

Because you want to be a Smart Recruiting Professional.

Otherwise why would you search for “key words” like – Digital marketing or Recruitment Marketing or Employer Branding and land here on this page.

Secondly, in this Digital World, Companies and Candidates’ needs and expectations has changed.

So in order to hire top Talent in the Market, companies expect a Recruiter like you to understand Digital Marketing and Employer Branding.

As a result, it is important to acquire Digital Recruiting skills.

Finally, it gives you an undue advantage against your competitors in winning the Talent War.

If you are looking to master Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding by learning Digital Marketing, then Bookmark TheDigitalBen.com so that you can revisit and learn more.

Why. How to Learn Digital Marketing Skills is Killing You

Let us see some quick numbers.

As of December 2020 the world population is 7.8 billion. More than half of the world population is already online.

India is has 400 million people using the internet.

With cheap cellular plans and affordable mobile phones more people are going to be online.

Therefore, it has changed how people access information and entertainment. Hence, Brands have to be where the Consumers are.

Likewise, it has changed how candidates search and apply for jobs.

As a recruiter you need to be where talent/candidates hang out.

So you must ask – How do I learn and thrive in this Digital Eco system?

How do I leverage and incorporate Digital Marketing in my Recruiting Strategy?

Before we jump in to the details further.

Firstly, it is very important to understand Digital Marketing is an ocean.

So learning and mastering is going to take time.

It has various modules.

If you are a beginner it would be difficult to connect the dots.

Secondly, it has so many inter connections with other the modules you can ever imagine.

Chances are that you have either realized it has complex connections or have no clue what you are diving into.

So Patience is key.

With this mindset, you can to learn and master the subject without losing your enthusiasm.

Whatever it be. You have made a great decision.

Digital Marketing is Dynamic

As I told you in the introduction it is a very Dynamic field.

So what does it mean to you as a Recruiter or beginner?

It is an ever changing field.

Digital ecosystem is constantly evolving and that too in a rapid phase.

It requires life long learning attitude.

In other words, it is not for a person who doesn’t like something that changes constantly and quickly.

If you are someone who enjoys exploring and thriving in a ever changing field, then Digital Marketing is for you.

It will keep you on your toes.

For example, Google Search Engine changes or tweaks its search algorithms 500-600 times in a year!!

So what? You may ask.

It means your career site or website will no longer be ranked same way in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP).

So every time Google decides to change its algorithms it impacts your website ranking.

Yes, you just learnt new SEO term – SERP.

Learn a Digital Marketing term today!

 SEO Stands for Search Engine Optimization.

Definition: SEO stands for search engine optimization. Which is the art of ranking high on a search engine in the unpaid section, also known as the organic listings.

Alright, let’s translate that to English. Here’s my go at it:

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your online content so that a search engine likes to show it as a top result for searches of a certain keyword.

Source: NeilPatel.com

Read SEO for Beginners in 5 Easy Steps to learn more about SEO.

Finally, without a proper guide and approach it will be difficult to understand and leverage Digital Marketing in your Recruitment Strategy.

Most Importantly, you need an open mind to embrace and celebrate Digital Technologies.

So you can make your life easier as a recruiter using Digital Marketing and Recruiting Automation

Future topics and posts

In this blog I will be talking about how to use and incorporate Google, Facebook, Social Media Recruiting, Content Marketing, and Email Marketing in your Recruiting Funnel.

You will Learn how to hyper target the candidates.

How to use free tools that will give you key data and insights.

Recruitment Marketing methods and how to build a strong Employer Branding as a part of your Recruiting Strategy.

How to measure, analyse, and tweak your recruiting efforts for better ROI

And more…..in future posts. So stay tuned.

Conclusion

In short, you need to learn Digital Marketing to design Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding for your company.

So without Digital Marketing Skills you cannot provide solutions to the challenges and problems faced in the Talent Acquisition.

Therefore, future of Recruitment lies in solving and tackling those problems using Digital Platforms and Technologies for your Company or Agency.

You can look forward to some exciting content from me in the upcoming posts.

So don’t forget to bookmark TheDigitalBen to sharpen your Digital Recruiting Skills.

Hope you enjoyed the post.

Meanwhile, you can leave your Comments on what you think about the article. Do suggest new topics you would like to see in the future.

Stay tuned.