The complete guide to organic search
Having a website is essential. But if no one can find it, it’s like opening a shop with no sign on a deserted street. Search engine optimization on Google, also known as SEO (Search Engine Optimization), is what allows a site to be found, understood, and displayed in search results.
Contrary to what is often believed, you do not need to be an expert or know how to code to start showing up on Google. So, how do you get listed on Google? You just need to understand the basic best practices.
Why is search engine optimization on Google essential?
Every day, billions of searches are performed on Google. When a site is well optimized, it can:
- Generate qualified traffic,
- Find new customers or readers,
- Build online credibility,
- And avoid relying solely on social media or paid advertising.
Organic search is free, but it requires discipline and patience.
Step 1: Make sure Google can see the site
Before even thinking about improving visibility, you need to check whether Google is aware the site exists.
A few simple checks:
- Is the site publicly accessible (no password, no restrictions)?
- Does it work properly on mobile?
- Does it offer readable content (real text, not just images or videos)?
- Are the robots.txt file or noindex tags blocking certain pages?
Step 2: Add the site to Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool offered by Google. It allows you to:
- Submit a new site for indexing,
- Track the pages visible on Google,
- Fix any crawl errors,
- See the keywords that generate clicks.
Step 3: Create high-quality, structured content
Google does not rank "websites," but pages. Each page should have a clear purpose and respond to a search intent.
Best practices for content:
- Write a unique title tag for each page
- Write a clear meta description (it does not directly affect ranking, but encourages clicks),
- Use structured headings and subheadings (H1, H2, H3...),
- Include relevant keywords naturally,
- Add images with alt tags (descriptive alternative text),
- Add internal links between the site’s pages.
Step 4: Get inbound links (backlinks)
The links that point to a site from other sites are a key ranking factor. Google sees them as "votes of confidence." They are very important right from the start.
A few ideas for generating links:
- List your business in business directories (Pages Jaunes, HelloPro, etc.),
- Get a link from partners or suppliers,
- Take part in guest blogs or interviews,
- Share your articles on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram, with links to your site.
Even a few quality links can make a difference, but be careful: Limit the number of new links to 2-3 per week and focus on quality, not quantity.
Step 5: Track your results and adjust
SEO is a long-term effort, but progress is visible from the first few weeks if the site is active.
With Google Search Console, it is possible to:
- See which pages generate the most clicks,
- See which keywords users use to find the site,
- See which pages need to be improved or expanded.
Step 6: Take care of the technical side (without becoming a developer)
Google also takes into account user experience. A slow site or one that displays poorly on mobile will be penalized.
Check:
- Is the site responsive (displayed properly on smartphones and tablets)?
- Is the loading time reasonable?
- Do the internal links work properly?
- Is the navigation smooth?
The steps of organic search optimization
- Check that the site can be indexed by Google.
- Connect it to Google Search Console.
- Create pages with useful, clear, structured content.
- Get quality links from other sites.
- Track performance, improve pages, stay active.
- Take care of the technical side and navigation.
SEO is not an obscure science. With a bit of method and consistency, any site can gradually rise in Google. It’s not immediate, but the results are lasting.
We’re here to help you go further - without wasting time navigating the world of SEO on your own.