3 SEO Techniques to Help You Rank High

If you’ve ever Googled your business and found yourself buried on page five (or worse - not at all), you know the frustration of competing for online attention. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the art and science of making sure your website shows up where your audience is actually looking—on page one. It's absolutely vital for getting traffic to your website, and isn't that what it's all about? I mean, you're not hosting your website just so you can fill your days.

SEO is so crucial that I'm devoting the next few blog posts to it. But don't worry - you don’t need to be a tech wizard or a programmer to start ranking higher. Here are three proven SEO techniques that can boost your visibility and bring more of the right visitors to your site.

1. Master Keyword Research (and Use Keywords Intentionally)

Keywords are the backbone of SEO. They tell search engines what your content is about and help match your page to the right searches. But it’s not just about cramming keywords everywhere—that’s outdated and can hurt your rankings.

Instead, focus on:

• Finding long-tail keywords (3–5 word phrases) that match user intent, like “best resistance bands for beginners” instead of just “resistance bands.” Or, "best natural dog foods for Pomeranians" instead of just "best dog foods."

• Using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or SEMrush to find search terms with good volume but lower competition. There are free versions of most tools, and the paid versions are usually pretty reasonable.

• Placing keywords strategically in your title, headings, meta description, image alt text, and throughout your content naturally.

Pro Tip: Write for humans first, search engines second. If your content reads awkwardly, Google will notice—and so will your audience. And remember - if you're using AI to help generate your content (hey, I don't judge), Google will recognize it faster than you can say "ChatGPT." Use this website to check your content for AI recognition.

2. Optimize On-Page SEO Elements

Even the best content can get overlooked if your on-page SEO isn’t dialed in. Here’s what to focus on:

• Title Tag: Keep it under 60 characters and make it compelling enough to click.

• Meta Description: Aim for 150–160 characters, include your main keyword, and write it like a mini ad for your page.

• Header Tags (H1, H2, H3): Break your content into scannable sections with keyword-rich headings.

• Image Optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt text so your images can rank in search results, too.

• Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your site to keep readers engaged and help search engines crawl your site more effectively.

Pro Tip: Test your page with Google’s free PageSpeed Insights tool. Fast-loading pages get better rankings and keep visitors from bouncing.

3. Build High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Think of them like votes of confidence in your content. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more authority Google gives your site.

Ways to earn backlinks include:

• Guest Posting: Write valuable articles for reputable sites in your niche, linking back to your own content.

• Creating Shareable Resources: Infographics, data studies, and “ultimate guides” are more likely to be linked by others.

• Networking in Your Industry: Collaborate on projects, round-up posts, or podcasts where your site can be linked in show notes or articles.

Pro Tip: Avoid buying backlinks or using spammy link-building services—they can get your site penalized.

Final Thoughts

Ranking high in search engines doesn’t happen overnight, but consistent use of these three techniques—smart keyword research, on-page optimization, and quality backlink building—will set you on the right path.

Remember: SEO isn’t about tricking Google; it’s about making your content as helpful, clear, and relevant as possible for the people you want to reach. Do that consistently, and the rankings will follow.

Next week: Advanced Ways to Use Competitive Research in SEO