What is SEO? 126 Search Engine Optimisation Tips (2025)

SEO can help your business reach the top of search engines for the keywords that are relevant to your company’s potential customers. Learn how to get started with improving your website’s SEO.

What is SEO?
SEO, or search engine optimisation, is the process of improving a website’s visibility and rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs).

For businesses, SEO is a vital part of the digital strategy, as it strengthens website traffic and its quality by attracting targeted visitors who are specifically searching for the company’s services or products.

In English, SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimisation”, which translates to “soekenjinoptimalisering” in Afrikaans.

Why is SEO important?
There are many benefits to your business from investing in SEO:

• More clicks: The better your rankings and visibility in the search engines, the more visitors your website will get.
• Increased awareness: With top search engine rankings, your company’s brand becomes more well-known and visible to your potential customers.
• More revenue: More visitors to your website also means more customers – and thus increased sales and revenue.

126 Easy Tips for SEO

All search engine optimisation tips are divided into the following categories:

• Keyword research
• Content optimisation
• Rich media optimisation
• Technical SEO
• Link building
• SEO tools

Keyword Research

Keyword analysis is a crucial part of SEO that helps you identify the most valuable keywords for your products or services. By understanding and using keywords, you can tailor your content to match your target audience’s language and search intent, increasing visibility and revenue on Google.

1. Focus on long tail keywords

Long tail keywords are specific search phrases that are often longer than regular keywords. For example, “SEO” is a general keyword, while “what is SEO and how does it work” is a long tail keyword.

Here are some examples of long tail keywords:

• Handmade ceramic kitchenware for sale
• Organic dog food without grains
• Cheap flights to Durban in July
• Vegan skincare for sensitive skin
• Sustainable yoga clothing brands
• Self-development courses for entrepreneurs
• Electric car charging home installation
• Luxury apartment rentals in Cape Town city centre
• Gluten free bakery near me
• Personal trainer for weightlifting beginners

Long tail keywords generally have lower competition, which can lead to faster success in SEO, especially for newbies. These long-tail keywords are more targeted, which often results in higher conversion rates.

2. Use the Topic Cluster Strategy

To strengthen your website’s topical authority within your niche, use the Topic Cluster strategy.

A topic cluster or content cluster consists of a so-called Pillar Page, which covers an overall topic, and several Supporting Pages, which cover related subtopics. Connect these pages with internal links to create a strong cluster that can increase your visibility and authority on Google.

3. Catch competitors’ keywords

Tapping into your competitors’ keywords is an effective strategy for understanding what’s working in your industry. The companies that are doing well in the search engines have probably already identified many effective keywords for their niche. By analysing their strategy, you can get inspiration for your own SEO efforts.

Ahrefs provides a good overview of the competitor’s keywords targeted at the destination Italy.

There are several ways to do this. A simple method is to use SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs, or the free Competitor Keywords Tool. These tools can give you insight into what keywords your competitors are ranking for and how they are using those keywords in their content.

4. Go for new search trends

Going for new search trends is an often-overlooked but potentially lucrative opportunity in SEO work. New trends can emerge in all industries and topics, and they can create new, popular search terms almost overnight.

If you are able to identify and act on these trends early, you can achieve a leading position in search engines. This can give you a significant advantage, as it is often easier to achieve and maintain a high ranking when competition is low.

Google Trends for “AI” reveal increasing interest in related topics.

When the competition later intensifies, as often happens when a trend becomes mainstream, you will have already established your website as an authority on the subject. This can make it harder for new competitors to overtake you, even if they have greater resources.

There are several ways to keep an eye on new search trends. You can use tools like Google Trends, follow relevant blogs and news sites, and keep an eye on social media. The most important thing is to be alert and ready to act quickly when you see a new opportunity.

5. Optimise for local ‘Near Me’ searches

When people search locally, they are often looking for specific services in their local area. For example, if someone searches “Flower Shop Near Me,” it’s likely that they want to visit a local flower shop. Or if they are searching for “Flower delivery in Sandton,” it is likely that they want to have flowers delivered in Sandton.

Local SEO: With effective SEO, I helped happyhelper.co.za to the top of Google for “cleaning Sandton”, “cleaning Fourways”, “cleaning Midrand”, etc.

To optimise your business for these searches, make sure that your business’s name, address, and phone number are correct and consistent across all online platforms.

Optimise your Google Business Profile, add local keywords to your website, and encourage reviews from local customers. This will improve your visibility in local search results and attract more customers to your business.

6. Extract keywords in GSC

Google Search Console (GSC) is a true goldmine when it comes to extracting keywords. As a central resource, GSC allows you to dive deep into your website’s performance and discover new opportunities for keyword analysis.

Google Search Console shows that my article about Val Kilmer’s AI voice over the past 28 days is at position 1.1 on average for the keyword “can val kilmer talk”.

One of the most valuable tools in GSC is the Performance Report. Here, you can see what keywords your website is already ranking for and how many clicks and impressions each keyword is generating. This can help you identify low-hanging fruit – keywords that your website is already ranking well for but could use a little push to reach the top.

7. Get help from the new class of AI keyword tools

AI is revolutionising and transforming traditional keyword analysis. By combining machine learning (LLM) with traditional keyword databases, new AI technologies can help you quickly find valuable keywords that your competitors may have overlooked. Artificial intelligence gives you a competitive advantage as it better understands the psychology and search behaviour of users and can thus better identify the most effective keywords.

Content Optimisation

Content optimisation is a key component of any effective SEO strategy.

In this section, we’ll focus on what you can do with text and links in your content. This applies to everything from your product texts, to category pages and blog posts.

Without a targeted SEO effort for your content, you won’t achieve the success on Google that you deserve.

8. Create lots of new content

Creating lots of new content is one of the most effective ways to improve your SEO. Every new page you add to your website is a new opportunity to rank in search engines. In addition, it shows Google and other search engines that your website is active and relevant.

Your competitors who are already producing lots of content have an advantage because they are constantly providing search engines with new material to index, and new ways to attract and engage visitors. But that doesn’t mean you can’t catch up with them.

“With the increasing competition in SEO, it’s time to 10X your content production. Today, if you produce 2 blog posts a month, it’s time to turn up the volume and produce 20. It’s not just about creating more, but also better content. Remember, in this digital age, content is king.”

Being ambitious with your content means not only producing more, but also ensuring it’s high-quality. Good content, including well-crafted SEO copy, is what best meets the user’s search intent. This means that it must not only contain the right keywords, but also be informative, interesting and valuable for the reader.

Remember, content is king in SEO. The more valuable content you can offer, the better your chances of achieving high search engine rankings and attracting more traffic to your website. So be ambitious and start creating the content your potential customers are looking for.

9. Create AI-generated drafts of articles

Creating content can be a time-consuming and challenging process, especially when it needs to be high-quality and SEO-optimised. However, with AI-generated draft articles, this process can become much easier.

By using an AI tool to generate drafts, you can get a strong starting point for your content. The AI can quickly and efficiently generate a draft that is structured, informative, and optimised with the right keywords. This saves you the time and hassle it would normally take to write a draft from scratch.

Furthermore, the AI can help ensure that your content is relevant and meets the user’s search intent. It can analyse large amounts of data and use this information to create content that is most likely to rank high in search engines.

10. Use the competition as a source of research

Never underestimate the competition. Use your competitors as a source of research. Look at the articles that are already ranking on page one of Google for your target keyword. Analyse their content, structure, and use of keywords. Your content should be on par with or better than the content that already ranks highly. By understanding what your competitors are doing well, you can learn from their success and use it to improve your own content.

11. Optimise your titles

An important part of improving your visibility and revenue on Google is optimising the titles (title tags) of your pages. The title is the first thing users look at in search results, so it’s important to make it clear and inviting.

• Include keywords in the title
• Place the keyword at the beginning or in the first half of the title
• Keep the title to between 50 and 65 characters for optimal visibility
• Make sure your title is different from the competition on Google

12. Optimise meta descriptions

Meta descriptions play a crucial role in increasing the click-through rate of your website. These short descriptions appear below your page’s title in search results and give users a quick overview of the content on your page.

• Write an accurate description with your primary keyword
• Keep your description between 150 and 160 characters
• Make your description attractive to encourage clicks
• Use unique descriptions for each page

Tip: Together with Google, I created this course in SEO for beginners:

13. Publish content on timeless URLs

When publishing blog posts or pages, it’s important to ensure that the URLs are timeless. This means that you should avoid including specific dates or years in the URL. This makes it easier for search engines and users to understand what the page is about, and it ensures that your content stays relevant for longer.

For example, instead of using a URL like “www.yourdomain.co.za/blog/2024/10-tips-for-seo”, you can use a more timeless URL like “www.yourdomain.co.za/blog/tips-for-seo”. This URL is easy to understand, and it will remain relevant no matter what year it is.

14. Use keywords in subheadings

Subheadings are important for structuring your content and making it easily understandable. They should be short, clear, and contain your primary keywords. This not only helps the readers but also the search engines to understand your content. Use your keywords naturally and avoid excessive use, as it can hurt your ranking in search results.

Example structure for subheadings:

• H1: What is child-rearing? The 7 classic challenges
• H2: What is child-rearing?
• H2: The importance of child-rearing
• H3: The role of child-rearing in society
• H3: Child-rearing and personal development
• H1: Practical Child-Rearing
• H2: How to Raise Children Effectively
• H3: Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Child Parenting
• H2: The 7 classic challenges (and solutions)

15. Use semantic related keywords

Demonstrating your expertise and showing depth in your text can be achieved by using terms and semantically related words. A well-known saying goes: “A dear child has many names”, and in SEO, these are often referred to as LSI keywords, NLP keywords, and entities.

To put it simply, Google is just a computer that doesn’t understand texts in the same way that you and I do. Keywords are therefore crucial for algorithms’ understanding and ranking of content.

By including a wide range of related terms and phrases, you can help Google understand the relevance and authority of your content within your topic.

16. Focus on E-E-A-T

E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness, and is a central part of Google’s Search Quality Evaluation Guidelines (SQEG). These factors help Google’s quality raters judge whether the content in search results is reliable and valuable to users.

• Experience refers to the writer’s personal knowledge of the subject
• Expertise indicates in-depth knowledge of the subject
• Authority is judged based on the reputation of the author or website in the field
• Credibility reflects the reliability and authenticity of both the content and the author

For example, if a South African dietitian writes an article about healthy eating, the use of scientific studies and referrals to reputable health organisations like CANSA or the Heart and Stroke Foundation will reinforce the E-E-A-T of the article. This can give readers confidence that the information is accurate and useful, which in turn can lead to content being shared more often and potentially ranking better in search results.

While E-E-A-T does not directly affect rankings, meeting these criteria can indirectly improve a website’s visibility and credibility in search engines.

17. Linking to other pages on your website

Ensuring that your website has internal links is crucial for SEO. Internal links are links that lead to other pages on your own website. These links help search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your website, and they make it easier for users to navigate and find relevant information.

When creating internal links, it’s important to use relevant anchor texts. The anchor text is the visible and clickable part of the link. Use descriptive and accurate anchor texts that describe the content of the linked page. Avoid generic anchor texts like “click here” or “read more”.

An example of an internal link could be to link from a blog post about flower accessories to a product page where you can buy the accessories in question. The anchor text could be “Buy flower accessories here” or “See the selection of flower accessories”.

18. Link out to external sources

Including outbound links in your content can improve your SEO. A large study I conducted in 2022 showed a correlation between the number of outbound links on a website and its ranking in search engines:

Outbound links, also known as external links, are links that take users from your site to another site on a different domain. These links are created when you include a clickable URL or anchor text that leads to an external source or reference.

Outbound links are important as they help search engines understand the context and relevance of your content. Linking to authoritative websites increases your website’s credibility and trustworthiness. Outbound links can also bring direct traffic to your site.

While outbound links may not directly impact rankings, the study suggests that they serve as a sign of the overall effort and quality behind top-ranking pages. Pages that consistently include well-curated outbound links that help users discover relevant resources often demonstrate a higher level of dedication to providing valuable and comprehensive content.

Tip: See my presentation from SEOday about outbound links:

19. Get more featured snippets

A featured snippet on Google, also called a featured search result, ensures you more visibility and more clicks than your competitors. You dominate the top of Google and therefore get the majority of clicks.

[EXAMPLE – SEO TEXTS etc.]

To optimise your content for featured snippets, you can include a short, informative piece of text at the top of your blog posts. This piece of writing should convey a clear and concise main point and/or definition of your post’s topic.

20. Include author information

Author information on your blog posts or articles increases the credibility of your content. It’s a good idea to have the author’s name, a small photo, and a link to an author profile where readers can see an overview of all the author’s articles.

At the bottom of each article, you can insert a small description of the author. This creates a sense of authenticity and shows readers that there is a real human behind the content.

21. Update content regularly

Updating content regularly is essential for maintaining and improving your SEO ranking. Search engines like Google reward fresh and relevant content, which means you need to be proactive in revising and updating your content. This can include adding new information, updating statistics, improving the user experience, or adding new keywords.

“I recommend that you update your content at least once a year. And if content loses valuable rankings, it’s time to react and optimize.” – Torbjørn Flensted

Remember that search engine optimization is a continuous process, and it requires constant maintenance and improvement to ensure that your content remains relevant, competitive, and thus visible to your target audience.

22. Include a table of contents

The table of contents makes a lot of sense for content that is more than 2000 words. It helps structure your content and makes it easier for readers to navigate around your page. By using anchor links in your table of contents, you can direct readers directly to the sections they are most interested in. This can improve the user experience, increase dwell time, and potentially improve your ranking in search results.

23. Display Related Posts to Engage Readers Longer

At the bottom of your blog, display related posts to engage your readers. This is not just about increasing dwell time, but also about teaching and inspiring your target audience.

By showcasing relevant content, you can create a deeper connection between readers and your brand. This can lead to greater engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, conversions.

With effective SEO, tryg.dk ranks #1 in Google on “business insurance”

Rich Media Optimization

Rich media, which includes images, video, and audio, is a crucial part of an effective SEO strategy.

These elements can improve the user experience, increase engagement, and contribute to better rankings in search results.

Proper rich media optimization can also improve your website’s speed, which is an important factor for user experience and therefore for your SEO. It is therefore essential to focus on rich media in SEO.

24. Avoid stock photos

Avoid using stock images as they are not unique and are often used by many others. This can give your content a generic look and can decrease your visibility in search results.

“Originality in images is not just an aesthetic choice, it is the essence of good SEO when we talk about Rich Media.” – Torbjørn Flensted

25. Create unique images with AI

Instead of using generic stock images, consider using artificial intelligence to create original and customized images. These images are not only unique but can also be customized to match your content perfectly.

One of the services that offer this option is Midjourney. They can create the most incredible images in all sorts of styles, which can give your content a unique and professional look. Additionally, it is an economically advantageous option, as it can be a cheaper alternative for professional photographers.

26. Avoid photos for the sake of the image

I hate it when people use pointless images that create more confusion than value.

For example, an image with no clear connection to the text can confuse the reader and cause them to click back to Google. And too many images that distract from the text can also be frustrating for the reader.

Poor quality or pixelated images can damage your credibility. Remember, every element on your page — including images — should contribute to a positive user experience.

27. Many images are NOT a ranking factor

An example I saw the other day from a popular SEO tool claimed that you should insert more than 70 images to achieve a good “SEO Score”. That is an utterly ridiculous piece of advice, which will very likely harm your SEO if you follow it.

It’s not about the number of images, but about their quality and how well they interact with the text and other visual elements.

28. Support your brand in style

It pays to have a visual identity in your photos, where the keyword is a common thread. A strong visual identity can help strengthen your brand and create a more cohesive user experience. Bad stock photos that signal all kinds of messages in East and West are simply unprofessional.

Creating a visual identity is about more than just choosing a few colors and a font. It’s all about creating a visual voice that is recognizable across all your images.

Here are some tips for creating coherence in your photos:

• Choose a color palette that represents your brand
• Use consistent filters or image processing
• Choose a specific style of images, e.g. minimalist, vintage, modern
• Use consistent fonts and graphic elements

29. The image placement must support the text

Placing images correctly in a text can be just as important as the text itself. A misplaced illustration can create confusion, while a well-placed image can reinforce the message and make the text more engaging.

Here are some tips for placing photos:

• Avoid placement before H2 subheadings.
• Avoid placement just below subheadings.
• Place images between paragraphs of text in a section.
• Break up long paragraphs of text with images.

30. Use alt tags

Alt tags, also known as alt attributes or alt descriptions, are an important part of image optimization. They are used to describe the content of an image to search engines and improve accessibility for users with visual impairments.

“Alt texts were originally created to improve web accessibility for users with visual impairments. Today, they also play a crucial role in SEO, as they help search engines understand the content of images.”

An effective alt tag should be precise and descriptive, but also short – ideally under 125 characters, as this is the maximum length that screen readers typically read. It should also include relevant keywords, but avoid overdoing it with keyword stuffing, as this can be penalized by search engines.

For example, instead of an alt tag like “image1”, you could use “man using SEO strategies on his laptop”. This provides a much more detailed description of the image and can help improve your SEO.

Dinero ranks #1 in Google for “payment solutions” thanks to effective SEO, where both texts and images are optimized according to all the rules of the art.

31. Name Images with Relevant Keywords

Naming images with relevant keywords is an important part of SEO optimization. When naming your images, make sure that the file name accurately describes the image’s content. This helps search engines understand what the image is about, which can improve your SEO ranking.

For example, a filename like “billede1.jpg” does not provide any information about the image’s content. A better alternative could be “seo-strategier.jpg” if the image shows someone working on SEO strategies.

Moreover, you should use lowercase letters and hyphens instead of spaces. For example, instead of “Seo_Strategier.jpg,” use “seo-strategier.jpg.”

32. Minimize Image Sizes

Minimizing image sizes is an important part of image optimization. Although internet speeds are generally higher than ever before, large image files can still slow down your website’s loading time and negatively impact the user experience.

As a rule of thumb, I recommend keeping your photos around 100KB. This is a good balance between image quality and loading time. However, you may need to go up to around 200KB for images with a lot of detail.

Pro Tip: My absolute favorite tool for image compression is Squoosh

Remember that it’s always important to find the right balance between image quality and loading time. High quality is important for the user experience, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your website’s speed.

33. Use JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, WebP formats

JPEG 2000, JPEG XR, and WebP are image formats that offer advanced compression features, making them a great choice for web images.

JPEG 2000 is an upgrade on the traditional JPEG format. It offers better image quality and compression, and it also supports transparency, which the traditional JPEG format doesn’t. However, it’s worth noting that JPEG 2000 isn’t widely supported on all browsers.

JPEG XR (Extended Range) is another format that offers improved compression and image quality compared to the traditional JPEG format. It also supports HDR images, which can be beneficial for certain types of content.

WebP is a format developed by Google that offers superior compression and quality compared to both JPEG and PNG. It supports both lossless and lossy compression, as well as transparency and animation. WebP is widely supported on modern browsers, making it a good choice for web images.

34. Add Image to XML Sitemap

Adding images to your XML sitemap is an effective way to help search engines find and index your images. This can improve your image SEO and increase the chances of your images appearing in image search results.

An XML sitemap is a file that helps search engines understand your website’s structure as they crawl it. Sitemaps can tell search engines which pages or files you think are important on your site, and also provide valuable information about those files.

To add images to your XML sitemap, you need to include an image:image tag for each image you want to index. Inside this tag, use an image:loc tag to indicate the URL of the image. You can also include additional tags, like image:caption and image:title, to provide more information about the image.

Once you’ve updated your sitemap, be sure to submit it to Google through Google Search Console. This will inform Google of the new changes and request a new crawl of your site.

35. Use CDN for Image Delivery

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a network service designed to quickly deliver content, including images, to users. CDNs work by distributing the content on servers around the world so that it can be delivered to users from the server closest to them. This can improve loading times and therefore user experience and SEO.

When it comes to image delivery, CDNs can be particularly useful. They can handle large image files and deliver them quickly to users wherever they are. This can be a great advantage for websites with a lot of images or high traffic.

There are many CDN service providers. Some of the most popular include Cloudflare, Amazon CloudFront, and Akamai. These services offer different plans and features, so it’s important to research and choose the one that best suits your needs.

36. Apply ‘Lazy Loading’

‘Lazy Loading’ is a technique that improves the loading time of your website by only loading images when they are in the user’s field of vision. This can improve loading times and create a better user experience.

Many modern CMSs, such as WordPress and Joomla, have ‘Lazy Loading’ as a standard feature, making it easy to implement on your website.

37. Use image captions

Image captions, also known as image descriptions, are short lines of text that describe the content of an image. They are typically placed just below the image and are enclosed in HTML tags within a container element. It’s important not to confuse captions with ALT text, which is a different form of image description.

Captions are important for both SEO and user experience. From an SEO perspective, they help search engines understand the content of an image. From a user experience perspective, they help users better understand your content.

When writing captions, make sure they are short, descriptive, and contain relevant keywords. Remember, image captions should add value for the user – not just for search engines.

38. Embed videos on relevant pages

Integrating video content on your website can be an effective way to boost your SEO. A great method is to use YouTube, which is owned by Google. Once you’ve uploaded your video to YouTube, you can embed it on your website.

Be sure to include a clickable link in the video description on YouTube that leads back to the relevant page on your website. This way, the video supports your content and drives traffic to your site.

39. Avoid expensive, polished videos

It can be tempting to invest in expensive, polished videos in an effort to appear professional. But these videos can often come across as inauthentic and may even harm the perception of your business. Unless you’re willing to spend hundreds of thousands of rands, it may be nearly impossible to create a polished video that also feels genuine. Therefore, it’s best to avoid these types of videos altogether.

40. Make authentic expert videos

Instead of investing in expensive, polished videos, I recommend making authentic expert videos. These types of videos build trust.

When an expert speaks on your topic, you can communicate knowledge and authority in a credible, authentic way. The best part is, you don’t need high-end equipment to make these videos. With a simple camera or even your smartphone, you can create authentic content that truly resonates with your audience.

The most important aspect is the expert themselves — someone who shares valuable insights and actionable advice. These videos can have a significant impact on both your SEO and your company’s reputation, without breaking your budget.

41. Use relevant keywords in video titles

Using relevant keywords in your video titles is an essential SEO tactic.

A well-crafted title with relevant keywords can increase click-through rates, as it accurately reflects the content and captures the user’s interest.

Bad video titles:

• Pizza video
• Make pizza

Good video titles:

• Homemade pizza: step-by-step recipe
• How to make pizza from scratch: simple and delicious recipe

42. Optimise the video’s description with keywords

Here are some tips for optimising video descriptions:

1. Use your primary keywords early in the description. This helps search engines identify what your video is about.
2. Include related keywords. This can help your video appear in related search queries.
3. Write a detailed description. The more information you provide, the better search engines can understand your content.
4. Keep it relevant. Your description should match your video content.

On YouTube, for example, a well-optimised description can help your video appear in relevant searches and improve its visibility. Remember: YouTube is also a search engine, so SEO is just as important here as it is on Google.

43. Use high resolution for videos

High resolution is essential for providing viewers with the best possible visual experience. Here are some tips:

• Record in HD or higher. HD (High Definition) starts at 720p, but 1080p (Full HD) or 4K offers even better quality.
• Choose the right frame rate. A higher frame rate can make video smoother but requires more bandwidth.
• Consider your audience’s devices. If they’re mostly on mobile, 720p or 1080p is enough. If they’re watching on large screens, 4K might be better.

44. Link from your YouTube videos to your website

A commonly overlooked yet highly effective SEO tip is linking from your YouTube video description to your website. By including a clickable link in the description that leads to the relevant page on your website, you unlock several benefits.

First, this link can drive direct traffic from YouTube to your site. When users watch your video and click the link, they are taken directly to the most relevant page on your site. This gives you the opportunity to engage and convert the viewer on your own domain.

45. Add a video sitemap to your website

A video sitemap is essential for helping search engines locate and understand the video content on your website.

First, create an XML sitemap for your videos. This can be done manually or using various online tools. In your video sitemap, include key information for each video such as:

• Title
• Description
• Playback length
• Thumbnail URL

Also, indicate the location of the video with a full URL. Once your video sitemap is ready, submit it to Google via Google Search Console. Update it regularly — especially when new videos are added to your site.

46. Use attractive video thumbnails

One of the most effective ways to get users to click on your video is to use an attractive thumbnail.

A thumbnail is the first still image viewers see when they encounter your video in search results. It acts as a visual “pitch” and can greatly influence whether people decide to click on your content.

Tips for great video thumbnails:

• Prioritise high resolution to avoid blurry or pixelated images
• Choose an image that accurately represents the video and sparks curiosity
• Add a short, catchy line of text to quickly communicate what the video is about
• Use bright, eye-catching colours to stand out from the crowd
• Consider including a person in the thumbnail to create a human connection with the viewer

47. Add subtitles to your videos

Subtitles can be a major advantage for your video SEO. They make your content more accessible to a broader audience — including people with hearing impairments and those watching in noisy environments.

In addition, search engines can index subtitles, which helps improve your video’s visibility in search results.

It’s important not to embed subtitles as part of the video graphics. Doing so makes them unreadable and non-indexable by search engines. Instead, use a text-based format such as SRT (SubRip Subtitle) or VTT (WebVTT), which both users and search engines can read.

YouTube makes it easy to add subtitles to your videos. The platform offers an automatic subtitle feature that uses AI to generate subtitles based on the video’s audio. While this tool is helpful, you should always review and edit the subtitles to ensure accuracy.

48. Use podcast episodes in articles

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of podcasts. They offer a unique way to engage your audience and can significantly support your blog posts and web pages.

By embedding related podcast episodes into your content, you can increase the time users spend on your site — which is a positive signal to search engines that your content is high quality.

But the benefits don’t stop there. In your podcast episode’s show notes, you can include links to your web pages. This can speed up indexing, as many podcast platforms include backlinks to your content.

So, not only can podcasts boost your SEO — they can also help spread your content to a wider audience.

49. Use a read-aloud function on articles

Offer readers multiple ways to consume content on your website. A read-aloud feature is a great option that some users may prefer. This can positively influence dwell time — the amount of time a user spends on your page before clicking back and continuing their search on Google.

You can either record the narration yourself or use an AI-based reader function, which works very well.

Technical SEO

Technical SEO can be compared to the foundation of a house. Just as a solid foundation is essential for a building’s stability and durability, technical SEO is essential for a website’s visibility and ranking in search engines.

Without a strong technical foundation, all your other SEO efforts — like a house without a solid base — will be unstable and less effective.

It is therefore important to ensure that your website is technically sound to provide the best starting point for all your other SEO initiatives.

50. Get a status of the technique

With SEO tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and SEMrush, you can quickly get an overall status of your website’s technical health. These tools can help you identify any technical issues that may be affecting your website’s SEO.

If you’re not technically inclined, it’s a good idea to seek help from a professional SEO consultant.

51. Install Google Search Console

Install Google Search Console on your website. This is a free tool from Google that gives you valuable insights into how your website is performing in Google search results.

With Google Search Console, you can monitor your SEO performance, see which keywords are driving traffic to your site, find and fix technical errors, and much more. It’s important to check this data regularly to understand how Google interprets your site.

52. Technology must not take focus away from other SEO

While technical SEO is an important part of your overall strategy, it’s crucial not to let it distract from other core initiatives.

I’ve seen many people spend large portions of their time and budget on minor technical optimisations, only to realise it hasn’t improved their Google rankings.

Technical SEO is not Phase 1 — it’s a parallel track. It should be implemented alongside content creation, link building, and other activities. The key is to strike a balance so that technical SEO doesn’t compromise these other important areas.

53. Implement 404 pages

Set up intelligent 404 pages on your website. A 404 page appears when a user tries to access a page that doesn’t exist.

By designing a helpful and user-friendly 404 page, you can improve the experience even when something goes wrong.

Ensure your 404 page guides users back to relevant parts of your site.

Avoid redirecting all errors to a generic /404 page — this makes it harder to identify which URLs are broken.

If you notice many users landing on specific 404 pages, it may be a sign that something needs fixing.

54. Continuously check for dead links

Dead links can damage both your SEO and the user experience. This includes internal links on your own site and outbound links to other websites. If a link no longer leads to the intended content, it should be fixed immediately.

Ensure internal links point directly to the target content and not through unnecessary redirects like 301s. Direct links improve usability and help search engines crawl and index your site more effectively.

55. Create an XML sitemap

An XML sitemap helps search engines understand your website’s structure when crawling it.

The sitemap contains a list of all your URLs and may include extra information about each page, such as last updated date, update frequency, and page priority.

You can generate a sitemap using online tools or CMS plugins. Once it’s ready, submit it to Google via Google Search Console. This helps Google discover and index your pages more efficiently.

56. Create an easy-to-use HTML sitemap

An HTML sitemap is a powerful tool to highlight your most important pages. Start by identifying the pages most relevant to your users and your SEO — popular blog posts, key product pages, or important resources.

Add short, unique descriptions for each link. This improves both user understanding and search engine context.

HTML sitemaps are valuable because of PageRank and link juice. PageRank is Google’s algorithm to measure a page’s importance, and link juice is the SEO value passed through links. By including priority pages in your HTML sitemap, you distribute PageRank more effectively and help boost rankings.

57. Link to your HTML sitemap from the front page

Avoid linking to your HTML sitemap from the footer of every page. Instead, place a link to the sitemap on your website’s homepage.

This helps preserve internal link equity (link juice).

Including too many links in the footer can dilute your link value unnecessarily.

58. Have a simple navigation (menu)

Unless you’re a large platform like Amazon.com with tens of thousands of pages, keep your navigation clean and logical.

I recommend having no more than 10 top-level categories linked from your main navigation.

This makes it easier for users to explore your site and helps search engines better understand its structure.

59. Avoid dropdown menus

Dropdown menus are best avoided for SEO on 9 out of 10 websites.

They tend to spread PageRank and link equity across too many less important pages — weakening your top pages.

By limiting dropdowns, your most important pages retain more link value, helping them rank higher.

60. Strip footer links down to an absolute minimum

The old SEO trick of cramming your footer full of links no longer works. In fact, it can hurt your SEO.

Minimise footer links as much as possible.

Focus on user experience — include links to Contact, Customer Support, and other essential pages.

By reducing clutter in your footer, you preserve and distribute link value more effectively across your site.

61. Insert multiple subpage links on your category pages

A common mistake is to display only 10 products or links on category pages, or just the latest 10 blog posts on a blog home page.

This forces users to click through to page 2, increasing the “link distance” from the homepage to many key pages.

You should reduce that distance by including more subpage links directly on category pages.

I recommend including up to 100 links per page before introducing pagination. This ensures PageRank flows to more subpages.

62. Link less to less important pages

If you have pages like outdated newsletters that no longer serve a purpose, consider deleting them.

They don’t add value and can drag down your overall SEO.

However, pages like Terms & Conditions — even if they aren’t SEO gold — are necessary. In those cases, simply reduce the number of links pointing to them.

The goal is to focus link equity on the pages that truly matter.

It’s not about having more pages and links — it’s about having the right ones that provide value and drive performance.

63. Use canonical tags

Canonical tags are essential for managing duplicate content.

Introduced by Google in 2009, canonical tags tell search engines which version of a page should be treated as the “official” one.

Let’s say you have a blog post accessible via both:

• www.yoursite.co.za/blog/article
• www.yoursite.co.za/article

Without a canonical tag, Google may see these as duplicate pages, which hurts your SEO.

To fix this, choose one as the canonical version — for example:
www.yoursite.co.za/blog/article

Then insert the following canonical tag into the other version’s HTML:

html

CopyEdit

<link rel=”canonical” href=”https://www.yoursite.co.za/blog/article” />

This tells search engines that even if they crawl a duplicate URL, they should index the canonical version.

By doing so, you maintain control over how pages are indexed and ensure your content ranks as intended.

64. Implement Organisation Schema

Organisation Schema is a type of structured data markup that helps search engines understand specific information about your business. It can include your business name, logo, location, contact information, and social media profiles. By implementing Organisation Schema on your website, you can help improve your company’s visibility in search results.

Here is an example of how Organisation Schema might look in JSON-LD format:

In this example, “name” refers to your business name, “url” is the website address, “logo” is the URL for your company logo, “contactPoint” contains your contact information, and “sameAs” includes links to your social media profiles.

When you implement Organisation Schema, it can improve your visibility in search results by providing Google with more accurate information about your business. This may result in richer search listings, including your logo, contact details, and social media profiles being shown directly in the results.

65. Use Product Schema

Product Schema is a form of structured data markup that provides search engines with detailed information about the products you sell on your website. This can include the product name, image, description, price, availability, and reviews.

By using Product Schema, you can enhance your product’s visibility in search results and increase your click-through rate.

Here’s an example of how Product Schema may appear in JSON-LD format:

In this example, “name” refers to the product name, “image” is the URL of the product image, “description” is a brief overview, “sku” and “mpn” are unique identifiers, “brand” defines the product’s brand, and “offers” contains information about price and availability.

66. Apply Event Schedule

Event Schema is a type of structured data markup that helps search engines understand and display information about events. This can include the event name, start date, end time, venue, and ticketing details.

By implementing Event Schedule Schema, you can improve your event’s visibility in search results and attract more attendees.

67. Use Site Schema

Website Schema helps search engines understand your website’s overall structure and can enhance the way it appears in search results.

It is particularly helpful in identifying core components such as the header, footer, and navigation.

For example, if you’re running an e-commerce platform, Website Schema can help define key navigational elements like product categories, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index them effectively.

68. Write with Article Schema

Article Schema enables search engines to understand and display articles more prominently in search results. It can include information such as the title, author, publish date, and associated image.

This is especially useful for news articles, blog posts, and scientific pieces.

For instance, if you’ve written an in-depth article on sustainable energy, you can use Article Schema to ensure that the search engines present your article accurately and with all the relevant data.

69. Optimise with Local Business Schema

Local Business Schema helps present key business information such as your address, operating hours, and contact details directly in local search results.

This is ideal for businesses that want to emphasise their local presence and make it easier for customers to find them.

For example, a local bakery can use Local Business Schema to ensure that its address, business hours, and telephone number are clearly shown when someone searches for a bakery nearby.

70. Use Video Schema

Video Schema allows search engines to index and display video content more effectively in search results.

It can include the video title, description, duration, and thumbnail. This is useful for increasing visibility and engagement with your videos.

For example, if you’ve produced a step-by-step tutorial on how to make homemade pasta, using Video Schema can improve its chances of appearing in related search queries.

71. Apply Person Schema

Person Schema is used to identify individuals and present relevant information about them in search results.

This includes details like name, job title, associated organisations, and social media profiles.

It’s especially useful for professionals looking to boost their personal brand and online visibility.

For example, an author or speaker can use Person Schema to highlight their expertise and credentials, helping to build trust and reputation.

72. Use Recipe Schema

Recipe Schema enables search engines to present recipes in a rich format that includes images, ingredients, preparation time, and nutritional data.

This is ideal for food blogs and culinary websites.

For example, a food blogger can use Recipe Schema to highlight a healthy smoothie recipe, increasing the chance of it appearing when users search for nutritious drinks.

73. Implement FAQ Schema

FAQ Schema allows search engines to display frequently asked questions and their answers directly in the search results.

This improves user experience and increases the chances of users clicking through to your site.

For example, if you have a solar energy FAQ page, FAQ Schema can ensure your questions and answers appear in Google’s results, attracting users looking for detailed information.

74. Create Mobile Responsive Design for All Devices

In a world dominated by mobile browsing, having a mobile-responsive design is critical. This ensures your website adjusts to different screen sizes, offering an optimal experience on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

For example, a mobile user should be able to read text and use menus without zooming in.

Google also rewards mobile-friendly websites with better rankings.

Using CSS media queries and responsive design techniques has become essential for modern SEO and user satisfaction.

75. Implement structured data markup for rich snippets

Structured data markup, such as Schema.org, is a powerful way to improve how your pages appear in search results.

By adding specific tags to your HTML, you help search engines interpret your content more effectively, allowing for rich snippets like:

• Star ratings
• Price
• Product availability
• Recipe info

For example, a recipe marked up correctly can show preparation time and calorie count right in the search result — which boosts visibility and click-through rate.

76. Optimise Site Architecture for User Experience

A well-organised website structure is critical for both usability and SEO.

Clear navigation and internal linking make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for, and for search engines to crawl and prioritise your pages.

For example, an e-commerce website should group items into logical categories and subcategories.

Use breadcrumb navigation and clear URL paths to support indexing and improve user flow.

77. Regularly update your search engine sitemap

A sitemap lists all the pages on your site and helps search engines crawl it more efficiently.

You should regularly update your sitemap, especially when adding new content, to help search engines index changes quickly.

For instance, if your blog publishes new posts often, make sure your sitemap reflects these updates.

Many CMS platforms update sitemaps automatically, but it’s important to double-check that the process is working as expected.

78. Implement HTTPS for Security and SEO

Switching from HTTP to HTTPS is no longer optional — it’s essential.

HTTPS encrypts communication between your site and its users, protecting sensitive data from interception.

It also signals to users that your website is secure, increasing trust.

Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor, so implementing an SSL/TLS certificate improves both user safety and your SEO performance.

79. Use Tag Manager for Effective Tracking

Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a free tool that allows you to manage tracking tags (scripts and pixels) without modifying your site’s code directly.

You can use GTM to:

• Set up form submission tracking
• Monitor button clicks
• Manage Google Ads conversions
• Implement Facebook pixels

This allows you to track user behaviour and measure the success of your marketing campaigns — all without needing a developer every time.

80. Optimise for zero-click searches

Zero-click searches refer to search queries where the answer is displayed directly on the search results page, so the user doesn’t have to click through to a website.
To optimise for these searches, you should focus on providing clear and concise answers to common questions in your field. This can be done by structuring your content in Q&A format or by including short, informative answers at the beginning of your articles.
For example, a home improvement website may include an FAQ section that provides brief answers to common questions about DIY projects. These responses can be highlighted in Google’s featured snippets, increasing your site’s visibility even if the user doesn’t click through to your site.

81. Implement Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) for engagement

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a type of software delivered over the web, built using common web technologies but with a feel and functionality similar to a native app. PWAs can work offline, receive push notifications, and access device hardware, improving user engagement.
For example, an e-commerce PWA might allow users to browse products and add them to the cart even when they’re offline, and then complete the purchase when they’re back online.
Implementing a PWA can significantly improve the user experience, especially for users with slow internet connections or limited data. It can also help keep users engaged with your brand and increase conversion rates.

82. Implement server-side rendering for JavaScript-heavy pages

Server-side rendering (SSR) is a technique in which JavaScript-powered websites generate the content on the server first before sending it to the user’s browser. This can improve loading times and make content visible to search engines, which is crucial for SEO. SSR is especially important for websites that use modern JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular, which may otherwise have search engine indexing issues.
For example, a web application that displays real-time stock prices can implement SSR to ensure that content can be crawled and indexed by search engines, improving the website’s visibility in search results.

83. Use Cloudflare for improved site speed

Cloudflare is a global networking service that improves website performance and security. It acts as a content delivery network (CDN) that caches your website’s content on servers around the world, allowing it to be delivered faster to users wherever they are. Cloudflare also offers security features like DDoS protection and web application firewalls.
By using Cloudflare, you can reduce the loading times of your website, which is an important factor for both user experience and SEO. Faster websites tend to have lower bounce rates and higher engagement, which can lead to better rankings in search results.

84. Implement a robust mobile SEO strategy

With the increase in mobile traffic, it’s important to have a mobile SEO strategy in place. This involves optimising your website for mobile users by ensuring fast loading times, user-friendly navigation, and accessible content.
It’s also important to avoid mobile-specific mistakes, such as using software that isn’t common on mobile devices (like Flash), and to make clickable elements easy to interact with.
A robust mobile SEO strategy also takes into account mobile-first indexing, which means that Google primarily uses the mobile version of your website for indexing and ranking. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the mobile version of your website is fully optimised and includes the same content as the desktop version.

85. Focus on technical SEO for site health

Technical SEO encompasses those aspects of SEO that deal with the website’s infrastructure. This includes crawlability, indexing, mobile-friendliness, page speed, structured data, security, and many other factors. Having a sound technical SEO means that search engines can easily access and understand your website, which is essential for good search engine ranking.
For example, you should regularly review your site’s robots.txt file and meta tags to ensure that search engines can crawl the pages you want to index. Additionally, you should continuously monitor your website’s performance using tools like Google Search Console to identify and fix any technical issues.

86. Use WebP images for faster loading

WebP is a modern image format that provides superior compression and quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG. By using WebP, you can significantly reduce the size of image files without compromising quality, leading to faster page load times and a better user experience. This is especially important for websites with a lot of images, such as portfolios or e-commerce websites.
Implementing WebP images can also have a positive impact on your website’s SEO, as page speed is a known ranking factor. Modern browsers support WebP, and there are tools available that can help convert existing images to this more efficient format.

Link building

Link building is the process of obtaining backlinks from other websites to your own. A backlink is a link from another website that points to your page. The purpose of link building is to increase a website’s authority and PageRank in the eyes of search engines, which can improve the website’s ranking in search results.
Here are my best tips for getting started with link building:

87. Write guest posts

Writing guest posts for other websites can be a great way to gain links. It’s important to choose websites that are relevant to your area and have a good authority, as this will ensure that the links have the most value.
For example, if you’re a nutritionist, you could write a guest post for a reputable health website about the latest trends in plant-based diets and include a link to your own website where readers can find additional information.

88. Advertorials

Investing in paid articles, also known as advertorials, is a direct method of obtaining links from high-profile websites. This approach involves creating content that both informs and promotes your product or service, and is published on another website with a link back to your own. It is a trade where you pay for the exposure and the affiliate link.
For example, you can arrange with an online business magazine to buy an advertorial. In this paid article, you can discuss the benefits of a new product or service that your business offers. Make sure that the article includes a link that takes readers directly to your website, where they can learn more or make a purchase.

89. Digital PR

Digital PR is a strategy that focuses on creating relationships with journalists and media outlets in order to gain publicity and links. This may involve sending press releases, participating in interviews, or offering exclusive content for select publications. By positioning yourself as an expert in your field, you can increase the chances of being quoted and linked to from credible media.
I myself have been successful in building relationships with journalists by offering them access to unique data and insights, which has resulted in publicity and links back to my website.

90. Testimonials

Writing reviews for products or services you use is a simple and effective way to gain backlinks. By offering a positive review for the company to use on their website, you can request that they include a link back to your own page. This can help build relationships while improving your link profile.
For example, if you regularly buy office supplies from a particular supplier and are satisfied with the quality of their products, you can offer to write a positive review. In your enquiry, you can mention that you would like to see your review used on their website and that you would appreciate it if they could include a link to your company’s website with the review.

91. Broken link building

An effective technique for obtaining links is to identify and fix dead links on other websites. This method involves finding pages that link to non-existent resources and suggesting your own content as an up-to-date and relevant replacement. This can not only help the website owner improve the user experience on their site but also provide you with a valuable backlink.
For example, if you find that an education blog links to an outdated article on study techniques, and you have an up-to-date and comprehensive guide on the topic, you can contact the blog’s owner and suggest your link as a helpful update to their content.
Tool-tip: Broken Backlink Checker

92. Create a blog

Creating a blog and regularly updating it with quality content is an excellent way to attract links. By focusing on creating valuable content that appeals to your audience, you can increase the chances that other websites will link to your articles as a resource.
For example, write a series of blog posts that explore the latest technological advancements in your field, and you may find that technology and news sites start linking to your blog as a source of up-to-date information.

93. Brand mentions without links

A simple but effective link-building tactic is to find and contact websites that mention your brand or products without linking to you. This can be done by using search engines to find mentions of your brand and then reaching out to the website owners to request a link. This method is often successful, as the websites are already familiar with your brand and just need to add a link.
For example, if an online news article discusses your latest product launch and mentions your brand name but doesn’t include a link, you can contact the editor and request that they add a link to your product page.

94. Listicle link building

One way to get links is by reaching out to websites that make lists of resources and suggesting your own resources as add-ons to their lists. This can be particularly effective if you’ve developed something of high quality that may be of interest to their audience.
For example, if you’ve created a comprehensive guide to starting an online business, you can reach out to business-related blog owners and suggest that they include your guide in their next list of helpful resources for entrepreneurs.

95. Collaborate with influencers

Partnering with influencers can be an effective way to get links. By offering influencers something of value that they can share with their followers, you can achieve links from their platforms to your website.
For example, if you offer a popular fashion blogger an exclusive look at your new clothing collection, they may choose to write a blog post or create a social media post that includes a link to your website.

96. Get member links

Leveraging memberships in different organisations and associations can be a good source of quality links. Many organisations offer their members to be listed on their website, which may include a link to the member’s website. This is often an overlooked resource that can provide an authoritative link back to your page.
For example, if your business is a member of a local chamber of commerce, you can make sure that they include a link to your website in their online membership directory.

97. Supplier links

If you sell products from other brands, you can request those suppliers to include a link to your website in their own retailer list. This is a win-win situation, as it gives the supplier an opportunity to show where their products can be purchased and provides you with a valuable link.
For example, if you run a specialty store that sells handmade ceramics, you can contact your suppliers and ask them to add your store to their list of authorised retailers with a link to your website.

98. Engage in partnerships

Partnering with other businesses can be a great way to expand your reach and gain links. By working together, you can both benefit from each other’s audiences and resources, which can include sharing links in blog posts, newsletters, or on social media.
For example, if you run a coffee shop, you could partner with a local baker and agree to promote each other’s businesses on your respective websites and social media channels.

99. Take advantage of social media

Being active on social media and sharing your content can help generate links and expose your content to a wider audience. While social media links are often “nofollow,” they can still generate traffic to your website and increase the visibility of your content, which can lead to organic links from other websites.
For example, share an informative article from your blog on LinkedIn and tag relevant people or companies in the post. This can increase the chances of your content being seen and shared by others, potentially leading to links from their own websites or blogs.

100. Write Good Articles
Creating and publishing quality content is one of the most sustainable methods of attracting backlinks. The content should be informative, engaging, and valuable to readers so that they naturally want to share and link to it. This often requires significant effort and creativity, but the reward is links that come organically and contribute to a strong link profile.
An example of this could be creating an interactive infographic that illustrates complex data in an easy-to-understand way. If the content is unique and useful, other websites will be more likely to link to it as a resource for their own readers.

101. Link to others (and tell them)
Another way to obtain links is by linking to other websites and then informing them about it. This can create a sense of goodwill and may lead to the websites in question choosing to reciprocate the service by linking back to your website.
For example, if in a blog post you refer to an in-depth article written by another expert in your industry, you can send them an email to make them aware of your link and express your appreciation for their work.

SEO tools
SEO tools are software products designed to help with website optimisation for search engines. They range from free to paid solutions.

102. Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool that helps small businesses see what keywords people are using to find their website on Google and how high they are ranking for those keywords. The tool checks if your website is working well technically and if there are any issues.
Google Search Console features:

• Track clicks, impressions, and rankings in Google.
• Report errors on your website that need to be fixed.
• Receive tips on how to improve your website’s usability.

103. Google My Business
A Google My Business profile is essential for small businesses targeting local customers.
Google My Business improves your local search presence on Google and Maps, ensuring customers can discover and interact with your business. Properly managing your profile can improve local rankings and drive more visits to the store.
Google My Business features:

• Improves local search and map visibility.
• Enables direct customer engagement.
•  Simplifies the management of company information.

105. Broken Link Checker
The Broken Link Checker is a free tool that allows you to find all broken backlinks for a given domain. This tool works by mimicking search engine behaviour, scanning your site, and verifying that each link leads to a working web page.
Broken Link Checker features:

• Detects all broken backlinks associated with a specific domain
•  User-friendly interface
• Free access

106. AI Keyword Research Tool
Look for a free resource that allows you to enter a brief overview of your business or content and perform comprehensive keyword analysis seamlessly. It’s designed to offer critical insights that can elevate your SEO approach.
Employing AI for keyword generation offers significant benefits for search engine optimisation and content planning. AI-powered algorithms quickly scour data and uncover trends and key insights, helping to identify relevant long-tail keywords that attract niche audiences and have lower levels of competition.

107. ChatGPT
ChatGPT, an advanced conversational AI, streamlines SEO campaigns for small businesses by simulating human interactions.
By harnessing the power of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning, ChatGPT produces responses that closely resemble those of a human interlocutor. Engaging with ChatGPT feels like a natural dialogue, where queries are met with informative answers.
ChatGPT features:

•  Creating original content and immersive narratives for various platforms.
• Refines text clarity, adjusts tone, and rephrases.
• Converts content accurately across language barriers.

108. Domain Authority Tool
The Domain Authority Tool is a free offering within our extensive collection of free tools.
Domain Authority (DA) is an indicator of how well a website can perform in search engine rankings. It is scored on a scale of one to 100, with higher scores correlating with better ranking potential.
DA is calculated by evaluating various elements, such as the number of unique domain links and the total number of links, which together contribute to a single DA score. This metric is often used to assess the competitive position of websites or track progress in a website’s ranking strength over time.
Domain Authority Tool features:

• Included in a suite of over 30 free tools.
• User-friendly and efficient in operation.
•  Provides insight into a domain’s Domain Authority.

109. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools provides comprehensive SEO insights for all your websites at no cost. While Google Search Console is essential for any website owner who focuses on search performance, it can fall short in certain aspects. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools fills these gaps effectively.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools features:

• Monitors 140+ possible SEO issues, with detailed advice on how to fix them included
• Domain and page-level SEO metrics
• Displays all recognised keywords that exceed the upper limit of 1,000 set by GSC

110. Keyword Search Volume Checker
The Keyword Search Volume Checker tools are Designed for simplicity, it allows you to verify search volume for a single keyword or a batch of up to 800 keywords simultaneously.
Google’s Keyword Planner, formerly a primary source of accurate search data, now offers detailed numbers exclusively to AdWords customers (Google Ads), leaving free users with only wide ranges.

111. Keyword Intent Checker
Keyword intent reflects the actual intent when a user enters a query into a search engine.
Identifying the real intent behind a search term is crucial for search engine optimisation because it informs the development of content that aligns with user intent and improves search engine rankings. “Search intent” is another term for this concept.

112. Google Analytics
Google Analytics is the industry standard for tracking web traffic, and 73% of the top 10,000 websites use it.
Google Analytics offers a free and easy setup process that starts with a simple Google account login. After the initial configuration, it immediately starts tracking data.
The current version, GA4, replaces the now obsolete Universal Analytics. Its comprehensive yet accessible standard reports are essential for small business SEO strategies.
GA4 provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of your marketing efforts in attracting visitors and converting them into customers. However, its interface can be challenging to navigate, with a significant learning curve. To maximise its potential, you’ll be required to familiarise yourself with the platform, ideally by completing Google’s free GA4 training course.
Google Analytics features:

• Acquisition examines the different channels that drive traffic to your website.
•  Engagement dives into user interactions across your website’s pages.
• Demographics reveal the characteristics and geographical origin of your users.
• Conversions track the number of users who take a desired action on your website.

113. Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog SEO Spider works as a website crawler designed to improve on-site search engine optimisation by identifying and fixing common SEO issues. It offers both free and paid versions, with the free option recommended for small businesses in this article.
Screaming Frog features:

• Detects broken links, errors, and redirects.
•  Examines page titles and meta descriptions.
•  Supports up to 500 URLs per crawl, which is sufficient for small businesses.
•  Assists with technical SEO aspects.

114. Long Tail Keyword Generator
A Long Tail Keyword Generator accesses a comprehensive database to identify niche-specific long-tail keywords, offering insights into search volumes and ranking challenges.
Long-tail keywords make up 70% of search queries and, due to their specific nature, offer more accurate results for both users and businesses. They attract traffic that closely matches a brand’s products or services, improve customer acquisition, and ensure that users find content that closely matches their search intent.

115. AI Topic Cluster Tool
An AI Topic Cluster Tool employs AI to simplify the process of generating topic clusters based on a keyword, with a keen understanding of search intent.
Topic clusters improve search engine optimisation as they clarify your content’s organisation and importance to search engines, which can result in improved SERP rankings. Structuring content in clusters also improves the user experience by offering fluid navigation. Furthermore, compiling detailed content within these clusters strengthens your status as an industry authority and expert.
AI Topic Cluster Tool features:

• Generates numerous AI-powered topic suggestions
•  Offers visualisations via tables and mind maps

116. Keyword Cannibalisation Tool
A Keyword Cannibalisation Tool is a tool that tests whether keywords overlap and cannibalise each other based on similarities in Google Search Result Pages (SERPs). The tool creates both Keyword Clusters and a Similarity Matrix.
Keyword cannibalisation means that your articles are competing with each other, confusing Google about which one to prioritise, which is why this is useful.
Keyword Cannibalisation Tool features:

• Shows keyword cannibalisation through topic clusters and a similarity matrix
•  Free, fast, and straightforward to use

117. Bing Webmaster Tools
Bing Webmaster Tools (Bing WMT) is a free service from Microsoft that allows webmasters to register their websites with Bing’s search index for visibility. In addition, it helps to track and manage a website’s status on the search engine. Bing WMT serves a similar purpose for Bing as Google Search Console does for Google.
Bing Webmaster Tools features:

• Examine your website’s backlink profile for insights into referring domains and anchor texts.
•  Perform keyword analysis to identify popular search terms and their volumes.
• Access SEO reports that summarise errors across the website and the affected page count.
• Use Site Scan to quickly crawl your website for technical SEO issues.

118. Keyword Rank Checker
Monitoring keyword rankings is a critical component of search engine optimisation and digital marketing, as it allows businesses to determine how their domain ranks for specific keywords in search results.
While more sophisticated keyword rank checking tools exist, they typically come with a fee, and for routine SEO tasks, a quick and straightforward position check is often all that’s needed. This tool is designed to meet this need.

119. AI Title Generator
Are you tired of trying to figure out what the title of your article should be? Then look no further, this tool improves click-through rates by creating search engine-friendly titles that also grab users’ attention, leading to increased web traffic. It saves time by quickly generating multiple title options, ensuring that they are both reader-attracting and SEO-optimised for higher content ranking.
Plus, it provides a creativity boost with unique and engaging title suggestions to overcome any creative block.
AI Title Generator features:

• Uses AI to create engaging titles with SEO relevance
•  Free, user-friendly and quick to execute

120. Article Rewriter

Like the AI title generator, the article rewriter is another component of SEO. The AI toolkit. This electronic instrument uses advanced algorithms to enhance and modify existing text.
It offers content creators alternative versions of their work while preserving the integrity of the original context and message. This tool is invaluable for those seeking to revive their content while maintaining its original intent.

Original text:
“Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various industries. From healthcare to finance, AI technologies are being used to automate tasks, analyse data, and improve decision-making processes. Machine learning, a subset of AI, enables systems to learn from data without being explicitly programmed. Natural language understanding (NLP) enables computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. As AI continues to advance, it raises ethical concerns regarding privacy, bias, and job displacement. But when used responsibly, AI has the potential to revolutionise society positively.”

Text after using the tool:
“Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising various sectors at a rapid pace. It is used in healthcare, finance, and other industries to automate tasks, analyse data, and improve decision-making processes. Machine learning, a branch of AI, enables systems to learn from data without explicit programming. Natural language understanding (NLP) enables computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. While AI developments raise concerns about privacy, bias, and job displacement, responsible use of AI has the potential to bring positive change and revolutionise society.”

Article Rewriter features:

• Reconstructs and reformulates text of any kind while preserving the original meaning
• Free, straightforward and quick to operate

121. Meta Description Generator

Meta descriptions are key in digital marketing to increase click-through rates from search results, as they act as short sales pitches that summarise web pages and entice clicks.
The free Meta Description Generator in our toolbox simplifies the design of optimised snippets with AI algorithms for improved search engine visibility.

Here’s an example of an effective meta description generated by the tool based on the text explaining the tool:
Increase click-through rates with our Meta Description Generator. Create optimised snippets with AI algorithms for improved search engine visibility.

Meta Description Generator features:

• Uses AI to create engaging meta descriptions with a focus on search engine optimisation
•  User-friendly, free and efficient
•  Included in the free SEO. AI toolkit

122. Google SERP Simulator

Do you want to know what your title and meta description look like in SERP before publishing the page? Then here is the tool for you.
The free SERP Simulator is an essential resource for fine-tuning the display of your website’s titles and meta descriptions in Google search results pages (SERPs) on both desktop and mobile.
It offers a lifelike preview that allows webmasters, SEO experts, and content developers to accurately assess and adjust their metadata for maximum appeal and click-through potential from search engine users.

Google SERP Simulator features:

• Part of SEO. The AI toolbox
• Free to use, no login needed, and user-friendly
• Provides a SERP visualisation that shows your title and meta description as they would appear on Google’s top

 

123. PageSpeed Insights

PageSpeed Insights is a tool that analyses page speed and offers optimisation tips for faster loading. This is crucial for small businesses because page speed affects Google’s ranking algorithm and can have a big impact on organic search positions.
Faster loading times not only improve rankings but also the user experience. As a Google tool, PageSpeed Insights focuses on Core Web Vitals, which categorise loading speed into three distinct aspects.

PageSpeed Insights features:

• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Measures the frequency of content interaction, such as fonts, videos, and forms, during page loading.
  
• First Input Delay (FID): Estimates the time until the page responds to user interactions.
  
• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Tracks the duration for the primary content on the page to load.

124. SERP Checker

The SERP Checker is an instrument that reveals the presentation of your website or specific pages in Google search results for selected keywords or phrases.
It provides an objective perspective on Google’s organic search results, free from distortions from personal browsing history, geolocation, and customisation preferences that can affect manual searches.

SERP Checker features:

• Offers a neutral perspective on SERPs, unaffected by factors such as location, browsing history, or personal settings
•  Free, effective, and straightforward to use with no login required

125. AI Product Description Generator

If you’re a small ecommerce business aiming to expand your product catalogue, crafting product descriptions by hand can be exhausting.
Use an AI Product Description Generator to create immersive product stories that enhance the appeal of your items and elevate your brand’s digital footprint.

AI Product Description Generator features:

• Engaging product descriptions crafted by AI
• Available for free and without the need for login

126. Competitor Keyword Research Tool

Want to see what keywords you or your competitors are ranking for? Then try a free competitor keyword analysis tool.
Gaining knowledge about the keywords that competitors are effectively targeting can provide crucial understanding of market movements, consumer search patterns, and possible shortcomings in your search engine optimisation strategy.
The Competitor Keywords tool simplifies the task of discovering the keywords that your competitors are ranking for in a specific country’s search results.

Summary of the 126 SEO Tips Guide (2024 Edition)

This comprehensive SEO guide offers 126 actionable tips designed to help businesses — especially small and medium enterprises — enhance their visibility on Google and other search engines. Written in practical, jargon-free language and structured in clearly defined sections, the guide is a practical resource for marketers, entrepreneurs, and content creators who want to build a strong, sustainable SEO strategy in 2024 and beyond.

The guide covers every major pillar of search engine optimisation:

• Content Optimisation: Learn how to craft content that ranks — from optimising metadata and using long-tail keywords, to implementing semantic search strategies and improving topical authority.
• Technical SEO: Discover essential practices like improving page speed, fixing crawl errors, implementing structured data, mobile-first indexing, and reducing duplicate content.
• User Experience (UX): Improve SEO through design best practices such as clear navigation, image optimisation, reducing bounce rates, and avoiding intrusive pop-ups — all while focusing on helpful, human-first content.
• Mobile and Web Technology: Get up to speed with the latest best practices, such as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), Server-Side Rendering (SSR), Core Web Vitals, and responsive design to meet Google’s evolving standards.
• Link Building: A full section explores white-hat link building strategies, including guest posts, digital PR, testimonials, supplier links, influencer collaborations, and using tools like broken link checkers or brand mention trackers.
• AI Tools and SEO Software: Detailed walkthroughs of modern SEO tools — both free and paid — including Google Search Console, GA4, Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, Screaming Frog, and keyword research platforms. These tools help track rankings, diagnose site issues, and automate repetitive tasks.
• AI-Driven Features: The guide highlights the role of AI in modern SEO, offering tools for title generation, article rewriting, topic clustering, and meta description creation, making content creation more efficient while maintaining quality.

Each tip is presented with clear examples and practical application, making the guide both accessible for beginners and useful for seasoned professionals. The localisation for South African English ensures regional relevance in spelling, phrasing, and contextual references.

Whether you’re improving a single blog post or overhauling an entire website, this guide provides everything you need to boost your rankings, improve user experience, and drive long-term organic growth.