Hey there! Let’s talk about getting your stuff found online

Look, I get it. SEO sounds like one of those technical things that only web developers with multiple monitors and energy drinks understand. But here’s the truth – if you have anything online, whether it’s a tiny website or just an Instagram page, you can (and honestly should) know the SEO basics.

Running a small business? Writing a blog about your obsession with houseplants? Trying to get your handmade jewelry seen by more than just your mom and best friend? SEO is about to become your new BFF.

So what exactly is this SEO thing anyway?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Fancy term, simple concept: it’s about making your online content easily understood by search engines like Google, so they can connect you with people looking for what you offer.

Picture this – you make the most incredible chocolate cake in Kochi. Like, mind-blowing, worth-the-calories amazing. But if someone searches “best chocolate cake in Kochi” and your bakery doesn’t show up… does your cake even exist? (Philosophically, yes. Practically, no.)

Why should you care? Let me be real with you.

Nobody – and I mean almost nobody – clicks to page two of Google results. It’s like the abandoned basement of the internet. If you’re not on that first page, you’re missing out on people who are actively looking for exactly what you offer.

When you get SEO right:

• People find you (without you having to beg friends to share your posts)
• The right people find you (those who want what you’re offering)
• You get traffic without paying for ads (your wallet thanks you)
• You start looking like you know what you’re doing (because you do!)

And unlike paid ads that disappear the second you stop funding them, good SEO keeps working for you. It’s like planting a tree – a bit of work now, shade for years to come.

How SEO works (the no-headache version)

Think of SEO as having three main parts:

1. On-Page SEO – Stuff you do directly on your website. This is like making your house look nice for visitors:

• Using words people search for
• Writing in a way humans enjoy reading
• Making sure your titles and descriptions make sense
• Having a site that doesn’t take forever to load (because we all hate that)

2. Off-Page SEO – What happens elsewhere that points to you? This is like having friends vouch for you:

• Other websites linking to yours (because they think you’re awesome)
• People mentioning you on social media
• Building genuine connections with others in your field

3. Technical SEO – The behind-the-scenes stuff. Less scary than it sounds:

• Making your website easy for Google to explore
• Fixing broken stuff
• ensuring Google can find all your good content

Don’t feel like you need to master everything right now. Baby steps!

Stuff you can do today (without a computer science degree)

Find your keywords. What would you type into Google if you were looking for… well, you? Start there, then use free tools like Ubersuggest or just Google’s search bar suggestions to expand your list.

Create content that actually helps people Google’s not dumb – it recognizes content that solves real problems. Write stuff that answers questions people have.

Use keywords like seasoning, not the main ingredient. Don’t write “Best chocolate cake Kochi best chocolate cake Kerala best dessert Kochi” – that’s the online equivalent of yelling at someone. Just write naturally while keeping your keywords in mind.

Make your Google preview enticing. You know that little snippet you see in search results? That’s your chance to make someone click. Make it clear and interesting!

Make sure your site works on phones Pull out your phone right now and check your website. Looks weird? Fixes needed.

Keep things fresh. Websites that never change are like restaurants with empty parking lots – suspicious. Update regularly!

Get other sites to link to you. This is like getting recommendations. Reach out to people in complementary (not competing) spaces and see if you can collaborate.

Stuff that’ll sabotage your efforts

• Cramming keywords everywhere (Google sees you, and it’s not impressed)
• Ignoring how your site looks on mobile devices
• Buying fake backlinks from sketchy services (seriously, don’t)
• Letting your website gather dust
• Expecting to rank #1 overnight (SEO is a marathon, not a sprint)

You’ve got this!

If you’ve read this far, you’re already ahead of most people! SEO isn’t some mystical art reserved for tech wizards. It’s just about making your content findable by the people who would love it.

Start small. Pick one thing to improve. Then another. Track what happens. Before you know it, you’ll be showing up in search results and wondering why you didn’t start sooner.

Ready to be found? Your audience is already searching for you – let’s help them find you!

Got questions? I’m all ears – drop them below!