You’ve put time and care into building your website or writing that blog post but how do people actually find it?
That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) comes in. It’s what helps your content show up when someone types a question into Google. The better optimised your site is, the more likely it is to appear in those search results.
You could have the most beautifully designed website or the most thoughtful blog post, but if no one sees it, it’s likely to stay hidden. SEO is how new visitors discover your site, how readers find your blog, and how future clients or customers get to know who you are and what you do.
I Only Discovered SEO After I Built My Site
SEO wasn’t something I learned during my web development coursework, and to be honest, I didn’t even realise how important it was until after I’d finished building this website. It was only once I started writing content and looking up topic ideas that I stumbled across the world of SEO.
Since then, it’s been a bit of a learning curve. From page titles and headings to keywords and structure, I’ve come to understand that even great content needs a little help to be found.
What SEO Actually Is (and How to Start)
SEO is about making your website easier for both people and search engines to understand. It includes things like:
- Using keywords (the words people actually type into Google) in your headings and text
- Giving your blog posts and pages clear, helpful titles
- Organising your content with proper heading tags (H1 for your main title, H2 for subheadings, etc.)
- Writing content that genuinely helps the reader and answers a specific question
It’s not about tricking search engines, it’s about clearly showing what your content is about, so it’s more likely to be matched with someone’s search.
Why SEO Matters When You’re Building a Website
Even though I didn’t know it at the time, SEO is something that should really be considered from the start. A well-optimised site is much more likely to be found, and since most people begin with a Google search, that visibility really matters.
SEO also supports your long-term goals, whether you want more readers, more clients, more sales, or simply more eyes on your work. Unlike paid advertising, SEO builds organic reach over time, so your site keeps working in the background, even while you sleep.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re creating a personal project, starting a business, or just exploring the world of web development, SEO is something worth paying attention to (even if, like me, you only learn about it after the fact).
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about making your hard work easier to find, easier to understand, and more likely to connect with the people it’s meant for.