⚡ SEO Quick Start
- Install Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- Enable XML sitemap and submit to Google
- Set permalinks to "Post name"
- Optimize meta titles and descriptions
Why SEO Matters for WordPress
Over 90% of web traffic comes from search engines. If your WordPress website isn't optimized for Google, you're losing potential visitors, customers, and revenue. The good news: WordPress is SEO-friendly by default, but with the right settings, it gets even better.
What does good SEO bring?
- More organic traffic – Visitors without ad costs
- Higher credibility – Top rankings = trust
- Long-term success – SEO has lasting effects
- Better user experience – SEO and UX go hand in hand
Technical SEO: The Basics
1. Set Up Permalinks Correctly
Go to Settings → Permalinks and choose "Post name":
https://yourdomain.com/your-post-title/Not: ?p=123 or /archives/123
2. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
Google prefers secure websites. Most hosts offer free Let's Encrypt certificates. Check:
- Green padlock in the address bar
- All resources loading over HTTPS
- HTTP to HTTPS redirect set up
3. XML Sitemap
A sitemap helps Google find all your pages. With Yoast SEO:
- SEO → General → Features
- Enable XML sitemaps
- Submit sitemap in Google Search Console
Essential! Shows you which keywords rank, technical issues, and indexing status. Free at search.google.com/search-console
On-Page SEO: Optimizing Content
Title Tags
The most important ranking factor. Every page needs a unique title:
- Main keyword at the beginning
- 50-60 characters (gets cut off otherwise)
- Write to attract clicks
Example: "WordPress SEO: 15 Tips for Better Rankings | Woops.ai"
Meta Descriptions
Appears below the title in search results:
- 150-160 characters
- Include keyword
- Add call-to-action or benefit
Heading Structure (H1-H6)
- H1: Only one per page (main headline)
- H2: Main sections
- H3: Sub-sections
- Maintain logical hierarchy
Setting Up Yoast SEO
Install Plugin
Plugins → Add New → "Yoast SEO" → Activate
Configuration Wizard
SEO → General → Run configuration wizard. Key settings:
- Site name and organization
- Connect social media profiles
- Enable search engine visibility
Title Templates
SEO → Search Appearance → Content Types
Recommended post template:
%%title%% | %%sitename%%Image SEO
- File names:
wordpress-seo-tips.jpgnotIMG_1234.jpg - Alt text: Descriptive text with keyword
- File size: Compress with ShortPixel or Imagify
- Lazy loading: Load images when visible
Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid
- Duplicate content: No copied text, set canonical URLs
- Keyword stuffing: Write naturally, not for bots
- Missing mobile optimization: Google indexes mobile-first
- Slow loading times: Use caching and image optimization
- Broken links: Regularly check for 404 errors
☑️ Focus keyword defined
☑️ Keyword in title (front)
☑️ Meta description written
☑️ URL contains keyword
☑️ H2/H3 headings structured
☑️ Images with alt text
☑️ Internal links added