Uncovering the Dark Secrets of SEO

Yes, the title was clickbait. We all know SEO is too boring to have any dark secrets.

But now that you’re here, I may as well tell you what SEO is and why it’s (apparently) important.

5 minutes of your life you won’t get back, but hey - it’s got to be better for your brain than doomscrolling, right?

What Does SEO Stand For?

It’s elementary, dear Watson: SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation

That’s it! That’s the blog.

[*gulp* our SEO Manager is giving me daggers right now …]

Only joking!

Search engine optimisation is the process of making Google (or your search engine of choice) your BFF - which’d be straightforward, if it weren’t for the fact that Google is basically Janis from Mean Girls. Aloof, slow to trust and constantly judging you.

Like Cady with Janis, you’re going to have to bring your A-game to win Google over. After all, you want the products you sell, the services you provide and your expertise to have VIP access to that highly coveted first page.

Think about it. When was the last time you clicked through to the second page of Google results?

Exactly. 

Why Is SEO Important?

I hate to admit it, but SEO is kind of a big deal. 

Organic online searching is what delivers over half of all website traffic, so ranking higher than your competitors in search results, and thus improving your visibility to your desired audience, is a must if you want to be successful in this digital age. 

Any regular Joe (or even a specific one, like our vid bod Joey G) would agree that the first place they go when they want to find information, research a service or buy a product is a search engine. 

For Gen Z, that might look like TikTok or Instagram. For those who remember Bananas in Pyjamas, Danger Mouse or Bagpuss, it’s probably Google or Bing.

Are There Different Types of SEO?

Even though it would definitely be in the interest of Pic PR to keep the SEO secret sauce to ourselves, I’m going to spill the beans and let you in on our tried and tested recipe. 

Technical + on-site + off-site = ✨SEO magic✨

Let’s continue with the Mean Girls theme, here: imagine SEO as the Lady Lions Lacrosse team. They need both a strong offensive line and a strong defensive line to win, as well as fans to cheer the players back onto their feet after Regina George knocks them out with foul play. 

When it comes to SEO, the offensive line is what’s on-site, optimising your content for both potential users and search engine rankings. The defensive line? That’s your technical SEO: internal links, URL structure, navigation and more. 

Finally, off-site optimisation is for building your fanbase a.k.a your audience. This is achieved through creating gorgeous brand assets and doing noteworthy things that will get people talking about your business. (Preferably not pushing your work nemesis in front of a school bus - the Mean Girls similarities end here, you understand?!)

I’m Hooked, Tell Me More …

Desperate for Part 2? Dying to dive into the nitty gritty of implementing on-site, technical and off-site best practice? More importantly, ready to hear from the Queen of SEO herself?

If that sounds like you, make sure to follow us on socials and leave a little comment saying ‘SEO SOS ✨’ under your favourite post. I’ll make sure Laura gets your message. 

And that’s it! That’s the blog. (For real this time.)