Imagine building the best store in town—but hiding it in a basement where no one can find it. That’s what your website is like without SEO.
Whether you’ve just launched a new website, run an ecommerce store, or are building a blog—SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is what helps your website show up in search results on Google.
Today, when we want information, inspiration, products, strategies, or services, our first move is to type a question into a search engine. Google alone handles a staggering 13.7 billion searches per day, translating to over 5 trillion searches annually, which clearly shows how embedded search is in our daily lives.
Because of this habit shift, search engines have evolved into vital pillars of digital marketing. It’s no surprise that 49% of marketers rank organic search as the highest ROI channel—outpacing paid search, social media, and email. SEO not only draws eager, high-intent users, but it also offers residual value: once your content ranks well, it continues attracting traffic and leads long after publication.
What’s more, SEO nurtures credibility. High-ranking pages enjoy greater trust and visibility, and the cost-per-click drops to nearly zero after initial investment. Plus, SEO strengthens your presence across all channels, enhancing PPC campaigns, boosting social content and improving email performance.
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This simple but detailed guide from Syncblogs, in collaboration with Pixel Hashtag, explains SEO like you’re 10 years old. But don’t worry—it’s still packed with strategies that work in 2025.
What is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of improving your website so search engines like Google show it to people when they search for something relevant—like “best running shoes” or “how to bake brownies.”
It’s how your website appears on that magical first page of Google.
While there are many platforms where people explore content—such as Bing, directory-based sites, and even social media—none compare to Google’s dominance. As of 2025, Google accounts for around 90% of the global search engine market, with Bing trailing at roughly 4%, and other platforms making up the remaining share.
So, when most marketers talk about “search engines,” they’re really referring to Google, given its outsized influence and reach in consumer behavior and search habits.
Why SEO Still Matters in 2025
Search engines still drive more website traffic than any other source. Here’s why SEO is critical this year:
- 68% of online experiences start with a search engine
- Most people never scroll past page 1
- SEO brings free, long-term traffic (unlike paid ads)
- It’s essential for ecommerce, blogs, and local businesses
🎯 Want to see how your website is doing in search results?
👉 Get a FREE SEO Audit from Pixel Hashtag
SEO Ranking Factors in 2025
Search engines look at many things before deciding which sites to show first. So what actually qualifies as high-quality, targeted, E-E-A-T-friendly and SEO-optimized content?
Well, Google uses hundreds of ranking signals and frequently updates its algorithm to improve user experience.
According to FirstPageSage, these are the top Google ranking factors and how they are weighted:
- Consistent publication of high-quality content (26%)
- Keywords in meta title (17%)
- Backlinks (15%)
- Niche expertise (13%)
- User engagement (11%)
- Internal links (5%)
- Mobile-friendly/mobile-first (5%)
- Page speed (2%)
- Site security/SSL certificate (2%)
- Schema markup/structured data (1%)
- Keywords in URL (1%)
- Keywords in H1 (1%)
How to Do SEO: On-Page Optimization
This is everything you do on your own website to make it easier to find and rank.
1. Start with Keyword Research
Use tools like Mangools, WordStream, or Google Keyword Planner to find terms your audience is searching for.
Look for keywords with:
- Clear intent (e.g., “buy shoes online” vs. “history of shoes”)
- Decent search volume
- Low-to-moderate competition
2. Create Quality Content
Google rewards helpful, original content.
Write blog posts, service pages, or product descriptions that answer real questions.
3. Place Your Keywords
To help Google understand what your page should rank for, it’s important to include your target keyword in key on-page elements—not just within the body text. Make sure to place your keyword in the following areas:
- The SEO title (also known as the title tag)
- The main page heading (H1 tag)
- At least two subheadings (H2 tags)
- Image alt text for accessibility and context
- The image file name before uploading
- Naturally throughout the body content
- The URL of the page
- The meta description to improve click-through rates
4. Optimize Titles & Meta Descriptions
The meta description appears below the title in search results. While Google may rewrite it based on the search query, it still reads your version to understand the page content—so optimizing it remains important. These appear in Google search results. Make them click-worthy and include your keyword.
Tips for Writing an Effective Meta Description:
- Include your keyword — naturally incorporate the primary keyword (and a related term if it fits) to help searchers and search engines understand relevance.
- Keep it concise — aim for around 140–160 characters (approximately 920 pixels) so it displays well across desktop and mobile without truncation
- Make it persuasive — think of it as ad copy: highlight the benefit, create interest, and include a clear call to action (e.g., “Learn more” or “Shop now”) .
- Write unique descriptions — avoid duplication across pages; tailor each meta description to the specific content to improve click-through and avoid generic snippets
- Reflect user intent — mirror what users are looking for: if it’s a question, offer an answer; if it’s a product, include key specs or value props
Example:
Title: “How to Start an Ecommerce Website in 2025 – A Complete SEO Guide”
Meta Description: “Planning a new online store? This beginner-friendly guide explains how to build and optimize your ecommerce website for Google rankings.”
5: Add Images (And Optimize Them)
Images make content engaging—but they also help with SEO if used properly.
Use WEBP Format
WEBP images load faster than JPG or PNG, improving your site speed (which affects rankings).
Add Descriptive File Names
Instead of image1.png, use seo-strategy-2025.webp.
Use Alt Text
Describe what the image shows to help screen readers and Google.
Example: alt="SEO content strategy flowchart 2025"
Geotag Images
Especially for local businesses, add location data (like latitude and longitude) to your image metadata.
Tools like GeoImgr help you geotag images before uploading.
6. Link Internally and Externally
Links guide Google (and users) through your site and build your authority.
Internal Links (Links to Your Own Pages)
These help users navigate your website and spread link value.
- Link related blog posts and pages
- Use descriptive text like “learn SEO basics” instead of “click here”
- Example: On your SEO blog, link to your SEO service page
Why it matters:
- Boosts time on site
- Helps Google understand your site structure
- Improves crawling and indexing
External Links (Links to Other Websites)
Link to trusted, helpful resources that support your content.
Example:
Linking to Google’s SEO Starter Guide
Why it matters:
- Builds credibility
- Shows Google you’ve done your research
- Helps readers get even more value
7. Off-Page SEO: Promote Beyond Your Website
Off-page SEO means getting the outside world to talk about and link to your website.
1. Build Backlinks
Ask blogs, business directories, or media to link to your content. Guest blogging helps too.
The more quality backlinks you get, the higher you’ll rank.
2. Share Your Content
Post your blogs, videos, and guides on:
- Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.
- Communities like Reddit or Quora
- Email newsletters
3. Build Your Brand
The stronger your brand, the more people search for you by name—and Google loves that.
8. Technical SEO: Optimize the Backend
You can’t see it, but technical SEO keeps your site running like a well-oiled machine.
Checklist:
- ✅ Mobile-friendly layout
- ✅ Loads in under 3 seconds
- ✅ Secure (HTTPS)
- ✅ Clean, short URLs
- ✅ Submit sitemap in Google Search Console
- ✅ Fix broken links and redirects
- ✅ Add schema markup (for products, FAQs, etc.)
Use tools like:
- Google Search Console
- PageSpeed Insights
- Screaming Frog
Do I Need SEO Tools?
Yes—SEO is hard to do manually. Use tools to:
- Find keywords
- Audit your site
- Track rankings
- Discover backlinks
Top SEO Tools (Free + Paid):
| Purpose | Tools |
|---|---|
| Keyword Research | Mangools, WordStream, Ubersuggest, SEM Rush |
| On-Page SEO | Yoast, RankMath, SurferSEO |
| Technical SEO | Screaming Frog, Google Search Console |
| Backlinks | Ahrefs, SEMrush |
SEO Strategies That Work in 2025
Here’s what actually works this year:
- Topical Clusters: Write several related articles under one main topic
- Content Updates: Refresh old posts with new keywords and data
- Voice Search Optimization: Use question-based long-tail keywords
- Visual SEO: Add infographics, videos, and structured data
- Mobile-First Content: Write for people who read on phones
Need Help with SEO?
If you’re not sure where to start—or just don’t have time—let experts handle your SEO while you focus on your business.
🎯 Get a FREE SEO Audit from Pixel Hashtag
📈 Unlock better rankings, faster traffic, and long-term growth.
Final Thoughts
SEO isn’t a quick fix—it’s a long-term, high-reward strategy.
If you’re launching a new website, running an ecommerce store, or growing a blog, SEO is the best way to make sure your audience finds you.
Start small. Stay consistent. And if you ever feel stuck—Pixel Hashtag is here to help.
