SEO stands for search engine optimization. It’s the all-important, ever-changing method for building a website that’s search engine friendly.

For nearly all small businesses, the vast majority of their web traffic comes from organic searches, for example, when someone goes to Google and types in ‘Dallas home inspector.’

There are many, many factors at play when it comes to getting your site to rank well on Google, but the most important factor (at least as of mid-2015, at the time of this post) is relevance to the user. In short, a site that delivers the information the user was looking for.

So what can you do to bump your way up Google’s search results? Here are 7 tips you can implement, even if you’re a complete beginner.

1. Header tags

In layman’s terms, the header tag denotes the headline for each page of your site. Don’t try to get too creative with these; the header tag should tell Google—and the reader–exactly what the page is about.

Add them to your post by going into the HTML editor (called ‘Text editor’ in InspectorPages) and adding h1 open and close tags around your header text, like this:

<h1> Here is my header </h1>

It’ll come out looking like this:

Here is my header.

2. Meta description

The meta description is a short sentence or two that tells the reader what the page is about, almost like a preview.

You should aim for no longer than 142 characters, and try to incorporate your page’s main keywords.

For this post, my meta description might go something like this:

“We’ll explain 7 SEO tactics complete beginners can use to achieve better search engine rankings.”

Hey, that’s pretty good. I think I’ll use it.

While the meta description holds a small amount of weight in Google’s algorithm, it’s of utmost importance in getting people to actually click on your site once it shows up in the search results. It’s like your 5-second pitch to convince people why they should click on your page.

3. Image file names

If you’re a true beginner, you probably patted yourself on the back just for figuring out how to upload an image to your site. Ready for the next step? Good, because it’s an important one.

When you uploaded that image of yourself from your computer to your website, it might have been saved with a filename like ‘Me.jpg’ or something equally generic.

Use that image name as one more opportunity to tell Google what your site is about. Instead of calling it ‘Me.jpg,’ your image should be titled ‘FrankSmith_HomeInspector.jpg.’ Make sense?

4. Keyword rich URLS

Check out the URL for this blog post:

See how the URL is made up of the words in the title of our post?

But, some publishers default to an arbitrary numbering system, instead giving posts this kind of URL:

http://www.inspectorpages.com/blog/14259

That kind of URL does nothing for your search rankings. In fact, it’s a wasted opportunity.

Most modern publishing platforms default to keyword rich URLS, but if yours does not, contact your web administrator to have the settings changed.

5. Link within your domain

Nobody likes to be confused. That’s why Google gives higher placement to well-organized sites.

You can help Google understand your site’s hierarchy by linking between your own pages in a way that makes sense.

For example, today I’m talking about digital marketing tactics, but maybe I also want to suggest that you try out some face-to-face marketing tactics. See how I linked to a related page within my own site?

Not only does this help keep readers on my site longer, it tells Google that these two pages are related. They’re both blog posts, and they’re both about marketing tactics for home inspectors. Now Google is beginning to get the gist of what my site is about.

As with the other tips in this post, moderation is key. Too many internal links will have your site’s structure looking less like an organized map and more like a spider web.

6. Reference your location multiple times

Your city, county or region shouldn’t only be listed on your ‘Contact’ page. You should sprinkle them in throughout your site in a way that feels natural.

We’re willing to bet you use the phrase ‘home inspection’ on your site quite a bit. Here and there, expand the phrase to something like ‘home inspections in the Chicago area’ or ‘quote for your Jefferson County home inspection.’

Don’t overdo it! But do help Google understand where you’re based. This way, searchers in your area are more likely to see your site in their search results.

7. Add fresh content

Have you ever clicked on a website to find that it hasn’t been updated since 2010? It doesn’t make you feel too confident that the material is current.

That’s why Google gives higher preference to sites that are updated frequently. A blog is a great answer to this.

You don’t have to commit to posting weekly or even on a regular schedule. But, by adding a new post every month or two, you’re letting the search engines know your site is current, fresh and accurate.

Have a great SEO tip for other home inspectors? Share it with us on Twitter @Inspector_Pages.