Types of SEO: A Complete Guide
Think of SEO as a toolkit with different tools for different jobs. To build a solid house, you need more than just a hammer. Similarly, to build a strong online presence, you need to understand the different types of SEO and how they work together.
This guide will break down the primary types of SEO. For a high-level overview, start with What is SEO and How Does It Work.
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO refers to all the optimization you do on your website. This includes:
- Optimizing your page titles, headings (H1, H2, etc.), and meta descriptions.
- Using your target keywords naturally within your content.
- Improving user experience by making your content easy to read and navigate.
- Adding internal links that connect your pages.
For example, a blog post titled “best keto recipes” should have the keyword in the title, an H1 heading, and throughout the content. For practical steps, check out How to Do SEO.
Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO includes all the actions taken outside your website to improve its ranking. The most important off-page factor is backlinks—links from other websites to yours.
- Backlinks: A backlink from a reputable site is like a vote of confidence. A guest post on Forbes linking to your site is a great example of an effective off-page tactic.
- Mentions and Digital PR: Getting your brand mentioned in news articles or on social media can also signal authority.
To learn more about these strategies, read our guide on What are SEO Techniques.
Technical SEO
Technical SEO ensures your site can be crawled and indexed efficiently by search engine bots. It’s the foundation of your SEO strategy.
- Site Speed: Pages that load faster are preferred by both users and search engines. Google’s Core Web Vitals measure user experience factors like loading speed.
- XML Sitemaps: These files help search engines find and understand all the pages on your site.
- Mobile-First Indexing: Google primarily uses the mobile version of a site for indexing and ranking, so your site must be mobile-friendly.
Local SEO
Local SEO is specifically for businesses with a physical location. It helps them rank for “near me” searches.
- Google Business Profile: Optimizing your GBP is the most crucial step. It includes your address, hours, photos, and services.
- Online Reviews: Positive reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor build trust.
- Local Citations: Your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should be consistent across all online directories.
A coffee shop ranking for “coffee shop near me” is a perfect example of effective local SEO. For more examples, see What is an Example of SEO?.
eCommerce SEO
eCommerce SEO is a specialized form of on-page and technical SEO for online stores.
- Product Schema: Adding structured data (schema markup) to your product pages helps search engines display rich snippets in search results, showing ratings, prices, and stock.
- Optimized Product Descriptions: Using keywords in product titles and descriptions helps customers find your products.
The Amazon-like product snippets you see in Google are a result of this type of optimization. To understand how this translates into business growth, read SEO Meaning in Business.
Which Type Matters Most?
The most important type of SEO depends on your business goals:
- Small local businesses should focus on Local SEO and On-Page SEO.
- Bloggers should prioritize On-Page SEO and link-building (Off-Page SEO).
- Large enterprises need a strong foundation in Technical SEO and a sophisticated content and link-building strategy.
