If you’ve spent more than 10 minutes in the online business space, you’ve probably heard of an acronym: SEO. And your internal monologue might sometimes sound like…Why is my website not showing up on Google? I need to optimize my content for SEO. I need to find an SEO web designer.

SEO, which stands for “Search Engine Optimization,” is not as complex as it may seem. It’s simply how you get your website to show up on Google when someone searches for something specific. While the SEO definitions can quickly pile up and get confusing, SEO really only has three parts: link building to create authority, content creation that targets keywords, and page structure (which is where I can help as a web designer!).

Here’s a quick guide to what SEO web design elements to look for so you can make sure Google (and your future clients) can find you.

1. Heading Hierarchy Matters More Than You Think

Headings aren’t just for making text look pretty — they’re one of the most important ways to structure content for both readers and search engines. Google and other search engines use heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to understand the structure and main topics on a page.

Your H1 should be the main topic (usually only one per page), and then your H2s, H3s, and so on should break down the content logically from there. This helps search engines understand what’s most important on the page and increases the chances of ranking for related keywords.

Learn more about heading hierarchy with Everything You Need To Know As A Business Owner About Brand Typography Guidelines.

2. Make Design Accessibility a Priority

Design accessibility is essential for SEO. Accessible sites think about each user, including those with disabilities, which can broaden your audience and boost user engagement. Consider colour contrast, legible fonts, and keyboard-friendly navigation to make your site easy to use. Accessibility also enhances SEO by reducing bounce rates, increasing time on site, and improving user experience.

Learn more about how to make your website accessible to everyone here.

3. Optimize Images and Media

Slow-loading media is one of the top reasons for high bounce rates. Properly sized, compressed images load faster and create a smoother user experience. Be sure to check for alt text on your photos as well. Alt text describes the image’s content, improves accessibility and gives search engines more context. This can improve your search rankings and help your pictures show up in image searches, bringing more traffic to your site.

4. Don’t Forget Meta Descriptions and Page Titles

Meta descriptions and page titles are key for showing up in search results. Your page title should communicate what the page is about in under 60 characters, and the meta description should summarize the content in 155 characters or fewer. Try including keywords naturally in both.

Meta descriptions aren’t a direct ranking factor, but they influence click-through rates. A well-written, catchy meta can get users to choose your link over others in search results.

5. Make Mobile Responsiveness A Non-Negotiable

With more people browsing on their phones, Google places heavy importance on mobile-friendly design. A mobile-responsive site looks and functions well on any device, from desktops to smartphones. Mobile responsiveness is a necessity for SEO since Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily uses the mobile version of a site’s content for ranking.

6. Don’t Overlook Site Speed

Google’s algorithm likes fast-loading sites, as they provide a better experience. Making users wait more than a second for an image to load will lower the time people spend on your website. So, compress images and check plug-ins to keep loading times in check. Testing tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can offer recommendations to help you make improvements.

Super Important SEO Things That Aren’t Web Design

SEO is more than what your web designer and developer can do. It’s a long-haul game that often requires working with different professionals and consistently updating your website.

SEO-Optimized Content and Keywords

Even if you hire the best SEO web designer in the world, your website won’t rank without SEO-optimized content. Content, like design, should be created with the user in mind. This includes addressing common questions, solving problems, and providing real value. Search engines prioritize sites that give people what they’re looking for. Focus on placing keywords naturally throughout your content, especially in headings, subheadings, and the first 100 words.

Internal Linking and Building Backlinks

Internal links connect pages within your website. They help users (and search engines) discover related content. They also encourage visitors to stay on your site longer as they’re led to new blogs and content, which is good for both SEO and engagement.

Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, are equally important as they signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy. Collaborate with bloggers and other SEO experts to build backlinks.

Bonus SEO Tips

• Consistent Content Updates. Websites that regularly update their content often rank better, as Google values relevant information. This doesn’t mean you have to churn out new content daily, but keeping a blog or updating key pages periodically helps.
• Local SEO Optimization. For local businesses, make sure to optimize for local search. Include your business name, address, and phone number consistently across the web and create a Google My Business listing.
• Social Media Integration. Integrating social media into your website is a great way to drive traffic, engage your audience, and create more backlink opportunities, all of which indirectly support your SEO.

When It Comes To SEO Web Design, Remember…

Web design is a crucial part of any good SEO strategy. As a web designer, I’m not an SEO expert, but my work, when paired with a copywriter, SEO expert, and consistent SEO best practices, can get your website ranking.

The most important thing to remember with SEO web design is what’s good for the user is normally good for Google. Most design principles are good SEO practices as well and vice-versa, they’re not separate.

Interested in SEO web design? Reach out and we’ll talk about the best package and experts to work with to get your website ranking.