Introduction

First, this is not an SEO growth playbook. And it won't make you an SEO expert.

Our goal at the traction stage isn't to use SEO as our primary acquisition channel. For 99% of startups, producing the results we need takes too long.

Instead, think of this as your SEO hygiene checklist. It's like laying the foundation of a new building before construction begins.

We want to take an 80/20 approach to ensure that our web presence comes off as trustworthy, prospects can at least find our website when searching for our brand name (which will happen when they start seeing our ads, content, etc), and we have a healthy starting point if/when we are ready to invest in SEO as a growth channel.

Questions answered in this guide

• Why should early-stage founders care about SEO?
• What's the minimum viable SEO setup for a startup?
• How do I structure my website for future growth?
• What are the essential on-page optimizations I can't skip?
• How do I track and measure SEO progress?

What is SEO, really?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It's the practice of making your website more likely to show up when potential customers search Google for solutions to their problems. It's like putting up the right signs so people can find your store in a busy mall.

Think of it this way: When someone has a problem your startup solves, they usually don't immediately think "I need [Your Company Name]." Instead, they think "I need help with meal planning" or "I want to track my expenses better." Then they Google it.

SEO is about making sure your website appears when people search for the problems you solve, not just your company name.

How search engines actually work (non-technical explanation)

Google is basically a giant librarian that's trying to match people's questions with the best possible answers from billions of web pages.

Here's the simplified process:

1. Google crawls the web: Automated programs (called "crawlers" or "bots") constantly visit websites and read their content
2. Google indexes content: They organize all this information in a massive database, like creating a card catalog for the entire internet
3. Someone searches: A person types a question or phrase into Google
4. Google ranks results: The algorithm looks through its index to find the most relevant, helpful, and trustworthy pages
5. Results appear: Google shows a ranked list of the best matches

Your goal with SEO: Help Google understand what your website is about and convince it that you have helpful, trustworthy answers to your customers' problems.

Why SEO matters specifically for startups

It's the ultimate cost-effective growth channel

Unlike paid ads, SEO compounds over time. When you pay for Google Ads, you get traffic as long as you keep paying. When you stop paying, the traffic stops immediately.

With SEO, you create content once, and it can bring you customers for months or years. It's like the difference between renting and buying real estate.

For example, if a meal planning app writes one helpful article called "How to meal prep for busy families." That single article could bring them thousands of targeted visitors every month for years with no extra spending, although it's important to remember that SEO isn't a one-time task. Content needs to be refreshed and updated over time so it stays useful and matches what people are currently searching for.

It builds trust and credibility

When people search for solutions and find your company on the first page of Google, it instantly makes you seem more legitimate. It's social proof that says "Google thinks this company is worth knowing."

This is especially important for startups because you don't have brand recognition yet. SEO helps you earn authority in your space before you're a household name.

It attracts your ideal customers at the perfect moment

SEO traffic is "high-intent" traffic. These aren't random people who saw your ad while scrolling social media. These are people actively looking for a solution to their problem right now.

For example:

• Someone searching "meal planning app for families" is ready to try a meal planning solution
• Someone searching "budgeting app reviews" is comparing options and ready to sign up
• Someone searching "how to track expenses" has a problem your finance app might solve

It future-proofs your marketing

Even with AI tools like ChatGPT becoming popular, they still rely on information from websites. When ChatGPT or Claude answers questions, they often pull information from web sources. Having strong SEO makes it more likely that AI tools will reference and recommend your company.

Plus, people use AI tools and Google differently:

• AI tools for quick questions and brainstorming
• Google for research, comparisons, and finding specific products/services

Both channels matter, and good SEO helps with both.

How SEO fits into your overall growth strategy

SEO works best alongside other channels

Don't think of SEO as your only marketing strategy. It works best when combined with:

• Social media: Drive immediate traffic while SEO builds up
• Paid ads: Get quick feedback on messaging while waiting for SEO results
• Content marketing: The content you create for SEO can also be shared on social media and in emails

SEO takes a lot of time

SEO is a medium-term play, not a quick fix:

• Weeks 1-4: You're building the foundation (technical setup, keyword research, content planning)
• Months 2-3: Google starts finding and indexing your content
• Months 4-6: You begin seeing traffic from your SEO efforts
• Months 6-12: Results compound as more content ranks and existing content climbs higher
• Year 2+: SEO becomes a reliable, predictable traffic source

This means: Start your SEO foundation early, but don't expect it to solve your customer acquisition problems next month.

The key benefits for founders:

• Cost-effective traffic: Unlike paid ads, SEO builds compounding value over time.
• Brand credibility: High-ranking content establishes authority and trust.
• Future-proofing: Good SEO foundations scale as your startup grows.
• 44% of searches are for brand names. You want to own your brand's search presence.

SEO works best for startups that solve problems people are already looking up online:

Examples of searchable problems:

• Meal planning apps: People search "meal planning app," "healthy meal ideas," "weekly meal planner," "what to cook tonight"
• Fitness apps: People search "home workout apps," "yoga for beginners," "running training plan," "how to lose weight"
• Personal finance apps: People search "budgeting apps," "expense tracker," "how to save money," "investment apps for beginners"
• Language learning apps: People search "learn Spanish app," "language learning software," "how to learn French," "best language apps"
• Dating apps: People search "best dating apps," "how to meet people online," "dating app reviews," "relationship advice"
• Photo editing apps: People search "photo editing app," "Instagram photo filters," "how to edit photos," "selfie camera apps"

Examples of less searchable problems:

• Highly innovative consumer products that solve problems people don't know they have yet
• Niche hobby apps with very specific use cases
• Solutions that require extensive education before people understand the need

Your minimum viable SEO setup

1. Essential website structure

Your site needs these foundational pages optimized for both users and search engines:

Core pages (must-have):

• Homepage: What you do, who it's for, how to get started
• About: Your story, team, mission (builds trust)
• Contact: How to reach you (builds credibility)
• Product/service overview: What you offer and key benefits
• Privacy policy: Required for legal compliance and trust
• Terms of service: Legal protection for your business

Growth pages (add as you scale):

• Individual product/feature pages: Dedicated pages for each major feature
• Use case pages: "For marketing teams," "for small businesses," etc.
• Industry pages: "For healthcare," "for real estate," etc.
• FAQ: Answers to common questions (great for SEO)
• Case studies/testimonials: Social proof and success stories
• Helpful content: Published regularly, boosts search, builds your brand, and fuels outreach.

URL structure best practices:

Good URL examples:

yoursite.com/features/time-trackingyoursite.com/pricingyoursite.com/case-studies/acme-corpyoursite.com/blog/project-management-tips

Bad URL examples:

yoursite.com/page?id=12345&category=features yoursite.com/2024/01/15/blog-post-title yoursite.com/features_and_benefits_page_v2_final

URL creation rules:

• Use hyphens to separate words (not underscores or spaces)
• Keep URLs under 60 characters when possible
• Use lowercase letters only
• Include your main keyword naturally
• Avoid dates, version numbers, or temporary identifiers

2. Technical foundation

HTTPS setup (step-by-step)

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. It encrypts data between your website and visitors, making it safer and more trustworthy. Google requires HTTPS for good rankings.

How to set it up:

If you use popular hosting platforms:

• Squarespace: HTTPS is automatically enabled for all sites
• Wix: Go to Settings > Domains > click "Secure Your Site"
• WordPress.com: HTTPS is automatic on all plans
• Webflow: Go to Project Settings > Hosting > SSL Certificate > "Provision SSL Certificate"

If you use traditional hosting (GoDaddy, Bluehost, etc.):

1. Log into your hosting account
2. Look for "SSL Certificates" in your control panel
3. Choose "Free SSL" or "Let's Encrypt SSL" (both are free)
4. Click "Install" or "Activate"
5. Wait 15-30 minutes for activation
6. Test by visiting https://yoursite.com (should show a lock icon)

If you need to buy an SSL certificate:

1. Go to your hosting provider's SSL section
2. Choose "Standard SSL" (usually $10-50/year)
3. Complete the verification process
4. Install following your host's instructions

How to verify it's working:

1. Visit your site with https:// in front
2. Look for a lock icon in the browser address bar
3. Check that all pages load properly with HTTPS

Mobile optimization (step-by-step)

What mobile optimization means: Your website automatically adjusts to look good and work properly on phones and tablets. Most people browse on mobile, so this is critical.

How to check if your site is mobile-friendly:

1. Go to Google's Mobile-Friendly Test
2. Enter your website URL
3. Wait for the test to complete
4. If it says "Page is mobile-friendly," you're good
5. If not, follow the specific issues listed

Common mobile issues and fixes:

• Text too small: Increase font size to at least 16px
• Links too close together: Add more spacing between clickable elements
• Content wider than screen: Ensure your website theme is "responsive"
• Slow loading on mobile: Compress images and minimize plugins

If using a website builder (Squarespace, Wix, etc.):

• Most modern templates are automatically mobile-friendly
• Preview your site on mobile using the platform's preview tool
• Test real pages on your actual phone

If using WordPress:

1. Choose a theme labeled "responsive" or "mobile-friendly"
2. Test your site on actual mobile devices
3. Consider plugins like "WPtouch" if your theme isn't responsive

Page speed basics (step-by-step)

What page speed means: How fast your website loads. Slow sites rank lower and lose visitors. Google considers 3 seconds or less as good.

How to test your speed:

1. Go to Google PageSpeed Insights
2. Enter your website URL
3. Check both "Mobile" and "Desktop" scores
4. Aim for scores above 70 (green)

Quick fixes for better speed:

Image optimization (biggest impact):

1. Before uploading images, compress them at TinyPNG
2. Resize images to the actual size they'll display (don't upload 4000px images to display at 400px)
3. Use WebP for photos, SVG for logos and transparent graphics (SVG isn't an option, PNG is fine)
4. Add descriptive file names: project-management-dashboard.jpg not IMG_001.jpg

Hosting improvements:

• Choose quality hosting (avoid the cheapest shared hosting)
• Consider upgrading if your site regularly gets 500+ visitors/day
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare (many hosts include this free)

Plugin/widget cleanup:

• Remove unused plugins or widgets
• Limit social media widgets and embedded content
• Avoid auto-playing videos on your homepage

Platform Comparison

While startups often opt for simple website builders that can be handled in-house, such sites usually end up slow and poorly optimized. In our experience, clients often come with a "cheap" Squarespace or Wix site and have to replatform to Webflow or Wordpress, generating unexpected cost. Both Squarespace and Wix offer limited optimization options, especially when it comes to load speed, with a lot of baked-in code that can't be edited easily. Consider the pros and cons for each platform:

Squarespace

Pros:

• All-in-one hosting (optimized servers, no setup needed).
• Built-in CDN and image optimization for faster load times.
• Templates are generally clean and mobile-optimized.
• Minimal maintenance — updates and security handled for you.

Cons:

• Limited control over performance tweaks (caching, code, advanced SEO).
• Can feel slower if using lots of custom code or heavy images.
• Less flexible than other platforms for technical optimization.

Wix

Pros:

• Simple drag-and-drop builder with managed hosting.
• Auto image compression and CDN included.
• New Wix Turbo (improves load times compared to older versions).
• Easy for beginners, no coding required.

Cons:

• Historically known for slower load speeds (though improved).
• Too much design freedom can lead to bloated pages.
• Limited advanced performance control.
• Harder to migrate away if you outgrow it.

Webflow

Pros:

• Built with clean, lightweight code → faster load times than Wix/Squarespace.
• Excellent hosting (powered by AWS + Fastly CDN).
• Great control over SEO, animations, and technical settings.
• Designers can create custom layouts without heavy plugins.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve than Wix/Squarespace.
• Overusing animations or big media files can still slow things down.
• Hosting is tied to Webflow (less flexibility vs. open-source WordPress).

WordPress (self-hosted with good hosting)

Pros:

• Highly flexible: can be extremely fast with good hosting + caching.
• Thousands of performance plugins (e.g., WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache).
• Freedom to choose lightweight themes or headless setups.
• Huge ecosystem for SEO, design, and marketing.

Cons:

• Speed depends heavily on hosting choice (cheap hosting = slow).
• Can get bloated with too many plugins or heavy themes.
• Requires ongoing maintenance (updates, security, backups).
• Steeper learning curve if you want max performance.

Technical housekeeping

Sitemaps and robots.txt: Although these are generated automatically, they still require review for best practices. Consider including a brief guide:

• Review sitemap: Open yoursite.com/sitemap.xml and make sure only relevant pages are included.
• Check robots.txt: Open yoursite.com/robots.txt and verify nothing important is blocked.
• Submit sitemap to Google Search Console: Helps Google discover your pages faster.
• Update when content changes: Especially if you add new sections or remove pages.

Canonical tags: If you're using multiple URLs that show the same content (like blog tags or filtered views), make sure your site uses canonical tags to avoid duplicate content issues. Most platforms like WordPress and Webflow handle this automatically.

Set up tracking (step-by-step)

Google Analytics setup:

1. Go to Google Analytics
2. Click "Start measuring"
3. Create an account (use your business name)
4. Add a property (your website)
5. Choose "Web" as the platform
6. Enter your website URL and business details
7. Get your tracking code (starts with "G-")
8. Add this code to your website:
   • Squarespace: Settings > Advanced > Code Injection > Header
   • WordPress: Use plugin "Google Analytics for WordPress" or add to theme
   • Wix: Settings > Tracking & Analytics > Google Analytics
   • Webflow: Project Settings > Integrations > Google Analytics

Google Search Console setup:

1. Go to Google Search Console
2. Click "Start now"
3. Choose Domain Property whenever possible — it gives the most complete data and future-proofs your SEO tracking. Use URL Prefix only if you cannot access DNS for the domain.
4. Verify ownership using one of these methods:
   • HTML file upload: Download file, upload to your website root
   • HTML tag: Add provided code to your website header
   • Google Analytics: If already connected, this auto-verifies
   • Domain registrar: Add DNS record (more technical)

Link Analytics and Search Console:

1. In Google Analytics, go to Admin > Property Settings
2. Click "Product linking" > "Google Search Console"
3. Select your Search Console property
4. Click "Link"

3. On-page SEO essentials

Understanding primary keywords

What a primary keyword is: The main search phrase you want a specific page to rank for in Google. Each page should target one primary keyword, and you should only create one page per primary keyword to avoid SEO cannibalization. This helps search engines clearly understand what each page is about and prevents multiple pages from competing against each other in search results.

Examples of primary keywords for different pages:

• Homepage: "meal planning app" or "weekly meal planner"
• Pricing page: "meal planning app cost" or "[your app] pricing"
• Feature page: "healthy recipe suggestions" or "grocery list generator"
• Blog post: "how to meal prep for the week" or "easy healthy dinner ideas"

How to choose primary keywords:

Step 1: Brainstorm what your customers search for

‍Think about the exact words and phrases your ideal customers type into Google when they have the problem you solve.

Examples for a meal planning app:

• "meal planning app"
• "weekly meal planner"
• "healthy recipe suggestions"
• "how to meal prep"
• "grocery list maker"
• "dinner recipe ideas"

Step 2: Use Google's autocomplete

1. Go to Google.com
2. Start typing one of your brainstormed phrases
3. Look at the dropdown suggestions Google shows
4. Write down relevant suggestions

Step 3: Check competition level

1. Google your potential keyword
2. Look at the first page results
3. If you see mostly big companies (Microsoft, Salesforce, etc.), the keyword might be too competitive
4. If you see smaller companies or blogs, it's more achievable

Step 4: Choose keywords with clear intent

‍Good primary keywords show clear intent to solve a problem or find a solution:

• ✅ "meal planning app for families"
• ✅ "how to meal prep for beginners"
• ❌ "food" (too vague)
• ❌ "cooking" (too broad)

Title tag optimization (step-by-step)

What title tags are: The clickable headline that appears in Google search results. This is one of the most important SEO elements.

Title tag best practices:

• Length: 50-60 characters (including spaces)
• Include your primary keyword: Preferably near the beginning
• Make it compelling: People need to want to click
• Be specific: Avoid vague language
• Include your brand: Usually at the end

Good title tag examples:

• "Meal Planning App for Busy Families | MealMaster"
• "How to Meal Prep for Beginners - 7 Easy Steps"
• "Healthy Recipe App Pricing | Compare Plans"

Bad title tag examples:

• "Welcome to Our App | MealMaster" (no keyword, not compelling)
• "Best Amazing Incredible Meal Planning Recipe App for Families" (keyword stuffing)
• "The Ultimate Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Meal Planning and Healthy Eating" (too long)

How to optimize title tags:

For WordPress:

1. Install the "Yoast SEO" plugin (free)
2. Edit any page or post
3. Scroll down to the "Yoast SEO" section
4. Click "Edit snippet"
5. Enter your optimized title in the "SEO title" field

For Squarespace:

1. Edit the page you want to optimize
2. Click Settings (gear icon)
3. Go to "SEO" tab
4. Enter your title in "Page Title"

For Wix:

1. Go to your site dashboard
2. Click "Marketing & SEO" > "SEO Tools"
3. Select the page to optimize
4. Edit the "Title Tag"

For Webflow:

1. Select the page in your project
2. Go to Page Settings
3. Edit the "Title Tag" field

Meta description optimization (step-by-step)

What meta descriptions are: The short description that appears under your title in Google search results. Think of it as a mini-ad for your page.

Meta description best practices:

• Length: 150-160 characters (including spaces)
• Include your primary keyword: Naturally, not forced
• Write compelling copy: Make people want to click
• Include a call-to-action: "Learn more," "Get started," etc.
• Be accurate: Don't promise what your page doesn't deliver

Good meta description examples:

• "Plan healthy meals for your family with our easy-to-use meal planning app. Generate grocery lists, discover new recipes, and save time. Free 7-day trial."
• "Learn 10 simple meal prep strategies that save time and money. Step-by-step guide with recipes, shopping tips, and storage advice."

Bad meta description examples:

• "We are the best meal planning app with amazing features and great customer service." (vague, not compelling)
• "meal planning app meal planner recipe app grocery list healthy meals" (keyword stuffing)

How to add meta descriptions:Use the same process as title tags, but fill in the "Meta description" field instead.

Heading structure (step-by-step)

What heading tags are: HTML elements that organize your content hierarchy. They help both users and search engines understand your page structure.

Heading hierarchy rules:

• H1: Page title (only one per page)
• H2: Main sections
• H3: Subsections under H2s
• H4, H5, H6: Further subsections (rarely needed)

Good heading structure example:

H1: Complete Guide to Meal Planning for Busy Families   H2: What is Meal Planning?   H2: Benefits of Using a Meal Planning App     H3: Save Time on Grocery Shopping     H3: Reduce Food Waste     H3: Eat Healthier Meals   H2: How to Start Meal Planning     H3: Plan Your Weekly Menu     H3: Create Your Grocery List     H3: Prep Ingredients in Advance

How to structure headings:

In most website builders:

1. Select the text you want to make a heading
2. Choose the heading level from the formatting options
3. Make sure you use them in logical order (don't skip from H1 to H3)

Best practices:

• Include your primary keyword in your H1
• Use related keywords naturally in H2s and H3s
• Keep headings descriptive and scannable
• Don't stuff keywords unnaturally

Image optimization (step-by-step)

What image optimization includes: Making images load faster and helping search engines understand what they show.

File naming (before uploading):Good examples:

• meal-planning-app-interface.jpg
• healthy-recipe-suggestions.png
• grocery-list-generator.jpg

Bad examples:

• IMG_001.jpg
• Screenshot 2024-01-15.png
• image1.jpg

How to add alt text:

What alt text is: A description of what's in the image. Screen readers use this for visually impaired users, and search engines use it to understand your images.

Good alt text examples:

• "Meal planning app interface showing weekly menu with healthy recipes"
• "Family cooking together using meal prep ingredients"
• "Grocery list on phone screen with checkmarks for completed items"

Bad alt text examples:

• "Image" or "Photo"
• "meal planning app interface screenshot"
• Leaving it blank

How to add alt text in different platforms:

WordPress:

1. Click on any image in your post/page
2. Look for "Alt text" in the right sidebar
3. Enter your descriptive text

Squarespace:

1. Click on the image
2. Click the settings gear
3. Add text in the "Alt Text" field

Wix:

1. Click on the image
2. Click "Settings"
3. Go to "Alt Text" tab
4. Enter your description

4. Content that actually helps users

The golden rule: Create content that genuinely helps your target audience solve problems. Don't write for search engines—write for humans who have real questions and needs.

Content that works for startup websites

Homepage content strategy:

• Clear headline: What you do in 10 words or less
• Subheadline: Who it's for and the main benefit
• Problem statement: The pain point you solve
• Solution overview: How you solve it (3-4 key points)
• Social proof: Customer logos, testimonials, or usage stats
• Clear call-to-action: "Start free trial," "Get demo," etc.

Product page content strategy:

• Feature explanations: What each feature does and why it matters to users
• Use case scenarios: Specific situations where this helps (busy parents, college students, etc.)
• Before/after examples: How meal planning improves with your app
• FAQ section: Address common concerns or questions
• Integration information: What grocery stores, recipe sites, or fitness apps you work with

About page content strategy:

• Founder story: Why you started the company
• Mission statement: What you're trying to achieve
• Team introductions: Key people and their backgrounds
• Company values: What you stand for
• Contact information: How to reach you

Simple keyword research process

Step 1: List customer questions

‍Write down 10-20 questions your ideal customers ask about their problems:

Example for meal planning app:

• "How do I plan meals for the whole week?"
• "What are some healthy dinner ideas for families?"
• "How do I save money on groceries?"
• "What's the best meal planning app for busy parents?"
• "How do I meal prep without spending all day cooking?"

Step 2: Turn questions into search phrases

‍Convert questions into the keywords people actually type:

• "weekly meal planning"
• "healthy family dinner ideas"
• "save money on groceries"
• "meal planning app for parents"
• "easy meal prep ideas"

Step 3: Use Google autocomplete and free tools

1. Type each phrase into Google
2. Look at the dropdown suggestions
3. Write down relevant variations
4. Try related phrases like "how to..." "best..." "what is..."

Helpful free tools for keyword research:

• AlsoAsked.com: Enter your topic and get a visual map of related questions people search for
• Google Keyword Planner: Get search volume estimates (note: competition data is for ads, not SEO)
• Mangools KWFinder: Better SEO difficulty data than Google's tool, free plan allows limited daily searches
• Google Search Console: Once your site has some traffic, this shows which keywords you already rank for

Step 4: Check what's already ranking

1. Google each potential keyword
2. Look at the first page results
3. Ask yourself: "Could I create something more helpful than these results?"
4. If yes, add it to your content plan
5. If no, try a more specific variation

Content structure that converts

Introduction (first 100 words):

• Hook the reader with a relatable problem
• Clearly state what the article/page will help them achieve
• Preview the main points you'll cover

Body content structure:

• Use short paragraphs (3-4 sentences max)
• Include bullet points and numbered lists
• Add subheadings every 200-300 words
• Include examples and specific details
• Answer the "how" not just the "what"

Internal linking strategy:

• Link to related pages on your site naturally
• Use descriptive anchor text: "our recipe suggestion features" not "click here"
• Add 2-3 internal links per 500 words of content
• Link to both product pages and helpful content

Call-to-action placement:

• Include one CTA in the first 200 words
• Add relevant CTAs throughout longer content
• End with a clear next step
• Make CTAs specific: "Start your free trial" not "Learn more"

Advanced optimization (later on):

Later on, you can explore adding "structured data" (like FAQ or review markup) to enhance your search listings. Tools like Yoast for WordPress make this easy, but it's not essential for getting started.

Simple SEO tracking and measurement

Essential metrics to track (without overwhelm)

Week 1-4: Foundation check

• Verify Google Analytics is tracking visits
• Confirm Search Console is collecting data
• Check that all important pages are indexed
• Test mobile-friendliness and page speed

Month 2-3: Early indicators

• Total organic clicks (Search Console): Any upward trend is positive
• Average position (Search Console): Lower numbers = higher rankings
• Indexed pages (Search Console): Should include all your important pages
• Technical errors (Search Console): Fix any crawl errors immediately

Month 4-6: Growth tracking

• Organic traffic volume (Google Analytics): Compare month-over-month
• Top performing pages (Analytics): Which pages get the most organic traffic
• Keyword rankings (Search Console): Which searches bring people to your site
• Click-through rates (Search Console): How often people click when they see your page

Month 6+: Conversion tracking

• Goal completions from organic traffic (Analytics): Set up goals for signups, demos, etc.
• Pages per session (Analytics): Are people exploring your site?
• Bounce rate (Analytics): Are people immediately leaving?
• Brand search volume: Are people searching for your company name?

How to access and read these metrics

Google Search Console basics:

1. Go to search.google.com/search-console
2. Click "Performance" in the left sidebar
3. Look at these key numbers:
   • Total clicks: People who clicked to your site from Google
   • Total impressions: Times your site appeared in search results
   • Average CTR: Percentage who clicked when they saw you (aim for 2%+)
   • Average position: Your average ranking (lower is better)

Google Analytics basics:

1. Go to analytics.google.com
2. Click "Acquisition" > "All Traffic" > "Channels"
3. Click on "Organic Search" to see:
   • Users: Number of people who visited from search
   • Sessions: Number of visits from search
   • Pages/Session: How many pages people view
   • Avg Session Duration: How long people stay

When to level up your SEO

Start with the foundations above. Consider expanding when:

• You've implemented all the basics and they're working
• You're consistently creating helpful content
• You have 3-6 months of data showing positive trends
• You're ready to invest time in competitive research and link building

Signs you're ready for advanced SEO:

• Your website gets 1,000+ organic visitors per month
• You rank on page 1 for some of your target keywords
• You have a content creation process in place
• You understand what's working vs. what isn't

Quick-start implementation checklist

Week 1: Technical foundation

• [ ]  Set up HTTPS: Follow the step-by-step process for your platform
• [ ]  Install Google Analytics: Get tracking code and add to your site
• [ ]  Set up Search Console: Verify your website ownership
• [ ]  Test mobile-friendliness: Use Google's tool and fix any issues
• [ ]  Check page speed: Run PageSpeed Insights and compress large images

Week 2: On-page optimization

• [ ]  Identify primary keywords: One for each important page using the research process
• [ ]  Optimize title tags: Include keywords and make them compelling (50-60 chars)
• [ ]  Write meta descriptions: Compelling summaries that encourage clicks (150-160 chars)
• [ ]  Structure headings: Use H1, H2, H3 properly with keywords included naturally
• [ ]  Add alt text to images: Descriptive text for every image on your site

Week 3: Content audit and improvement

• [ ]  Audit existing pages: Ensure each has a clear purpose and target keyword
• [ ]  Add internal links: Connect related pages with descriptive anchor text
• [ ]  Create/improve FAQ page: Answer common customer questions
• [ ]  Remove thin content: Delete or substantially improve pages with little value
• [ ]  Plan content calendar: If pursuing ongoing content, plan 4-8 topics to start

Week 4: Measurement setup

• [ ]  Link Analytics and Search Console: Connect the accounts for shared data
• [ ]  Set up conversion goals: Track signups, demo requests, or other key actions
• [ ]  Create reporting schedule: Check metrics monthly, not daily
• [ ]  Document your keywords: Keep a list of what each page should rank for
• [ ]  Bookmark important tools: PageSpeed Insights, Mobile-Friendly Test, etc.

Ongoing monthly tasks

• [ ]  Check Search Console for errors: Fix any crawl or indexing issues
• [ ]  Review top performing content: Double down on what's working
• [ ]  Update outdated information: Keep your content current and accurate
• [ ]  Monitor competitor content: See what others in your space are creating
• [ ]  Add new internal links: Connect new content to existing pages

Common mistakes to avoid

Technical mistakes:

• Mixed HTTP/HTTPS content: Some pages secure, others not
• Slow mobile loading: Not testing on actual mobile devices
• Broken internal links: Links pointing to pages that don't exist
• Missing or duplicate title tags: Every page needs a unique, optimized title
• Huge image files: Not compressing images before uploading

Content mistakes:

• Keyword stuffing: Using keywords unnaturally throughout content
• Thin content: Pages with very little useful information
• Duplicate content: Multiple pages targeting the same keyword
• No clear purpose: Pages that don't help users accomplish a specific goal
• Ignoring user intent: Writing for search engines instead of humans
• Use AI only as a support tool: AI-generated content often lacks accuracy, originality, and a unique brand voice, which can harm SEO and credibility.

Strategy mistakes:

• Targeting ultra-competitive keywords: Going after terms dominated by huge companies
• No measurement plan: Not tracking what's working vs. what isn't
• Inconsistent effort: Optimizing once and never updating
• Copying competitors exactly: Not adding unique value or perspective
• Expecting immediate results: SEO takes 3-6 months minimum to show results

The Bottom Line

SEO for early-stage startups isn't about gaming algorithms or complex technical tricks. It's about creating a solid foundation that helps real users find and trust your product.

Your SEO success depends on:

1. Technical foundation: Fast, secure, mobile-friendly website
2. Content quality: Genuinely helpful information that solves real problems
3. User experience: Easy navigation and clear calls-to-action
4. Consistency: Regular improvement and updates over time
5. Patience: Allowing 3-6 months for organic results to compound

Remember: The goal isn't to rank #1 for everything immediately. The goal is to build a strong foundation that attracts your ideal customers over time and scales as your business grows.

Start with these fundamentals, execute them thoroughly, and you'll have an SEO foundation that drives qualified traffic and builds credibility for years to come.