You have decided to become a blogger, created your WordPress blog, and started writing your blog posts, but then the question arises: What’s the use of writing great blog posts if no one finds them?
That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.
In this post, I will tell you:
- What SEO is and why it matters
- How to optimize your WordPress blog step by step
- The essential plugins and settings to boost your visibility on Google
Let’s make your blog discoverable!
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of improving your website so search engines (like Google) understand and rank your content.
Think of SEO like this:
“If your blog is a book, SEO is the index that helps people find the right page.”
With the right SEO setup, you can appear in search results and get free traffic from Google.
Step 1: Install an SEO Plugin
The easiest way to manage SEO in WordPress is by using a plugin. Two of the most popular options are:
- Rank Math (Beginner-friendly with rich features)
- Yoast SEO (Trusted and well-documented)
Pick one (not both), install and activate it from Plugins > Add Plugin, and complete the setup wizard.
Step 2: Basic SEO Settings to Check
After installing your plugin, adjust these essentials:
Set Your Homepage Title and Meta Description
Tell search engines what your blog is about – your Homepage Title and Homepage Meta Description.
- Homepage Title: It consists of your site title and tagline.
- Homepage Meta Description: It tells a short description about what your blog is about and what readers can find on it.
Enable SEO Titles for Posts and Pages
Use dynamic variables like %title% | %sitename% so that each post gets a unique title.
Create an XML Sitemap
Most SEO plugins generate this automatically. Submit it to Google Search Console later.
Step 3: Write SEO-Friendly Blog Posts
Use your main keyword naturally in Title, First paragraph, Subheadings, URL slug, and Meta description.
Also, use short paragraphs, proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3), and alt text for images.
To learn more on this topic, read our post: How to Write Your First Blog Post (Step-by-Step for Beginners).
Step 4: Set Up Google Search Console
This tool helps Google crawl your website and shows you search performance.
- Go to https://search.google.com/search-console/about
- Add your site
- Verify ownership (your SEO plugin will help)
- Submit your sitemap URL (usually
yoursite.com/sitemap.xmloryoursite.com/sitemap_index.xml)
Step 5: Improve Site Speed and Mobile Friendliness
Google considers both speed and mobile usability in rankings.
- Use a caching plugin (like LiteSpeed Cache or WP Super Cache)
- Choose a mobile-friendly theme
- Optimize images with a plugin like Smush or ShortPixel
You can test your site using PageSpeed Insights.
Summary: Your WordPress SEO Checklist
☑️ Install an SEO plugin (Rank Math or Yoast)
☑️ Set title and meta tags
☑️ Write SEO-friendly content
☑️ Submit sitemap to Google
☑️ Optimize for speed and mobile
Start with these basics, and you will build a strong SEO foundation for your blog.
Stay tuned for the next posts under SEO. They will help improve your blog’s searchability.