Project Goals and Why I Did It
This site is the result of a self-taught SEO project. I built everything from scratch to learn SEO by doing. Throughout the process, I focused on research, page structure, and applying real tools. The goal of this page is to walk you through each step I took, so if you're a beginner trying to start something similar, you can follow along and understand the thinking behind it. Along the way, I applied key SEO concepts in a real setting, turning what I learned into something practical and complete.
Website Setup
The site is structured into distinct sections, each with a clear purpose:
Why SEO
Introduces the value of SEO and its role in building online visibility.
Terminology
Breaks down essential SEO terms into understandable explanations.
Strategy
Shows how to turn concepts into action by focusing on keywords, structure, crawlability, and more.
Start a Project
Helps users take their first step by building an SEO-ready project using free tools.
Project Overview
This page, which walks through the technical and creative steps I followed.
Blog
Shares posts that target specific SEO topics using keyword strategy and internal links.
Tools Used
Cursor
I built the entire site using Cursor, a free AI-powered code editor. It helped me write and organize my HTML, embed SEO tags, and improve structure. Cursor also integrates seamlessly with GitHub, allowing me to upload my code and host the site without needing to buy a domain.
GitHub Pages
I used GitHub Pages to publish my site for free. It connects with Cursor and makes it easy to deploy updates.
Google Analytics (GA4)
I linked my site to Google Analytics to track site performance and user behavior over time.
Google Search Console
After completing my content and adding SEO elements like title tags and alt text, I submitted my site to Google Search Console to help it get indexed and monitored.
Claude
Used Claude to generate design-based code suggestions that I adapted in Cursor. It helped inspire cleaner layouts and improve overall page structure and readability.
Technical Setup Details
SEO Meta Tags
Added SEO-friendly title tags and meta descriptions to each page.
Heading Structure
Used proper heading structure, with H1 for main titles and H2 for subheads, across all content.
Image Optimization
Optimized image file names and alt text for accessibility and SEO.
Mobile & Performance
Ensured the site was mobile-friendly and fast-loading.
Sitemap Submission
Submitted the sitemap to Google Search Console for indexing.
Internal Linking
Set up basic internal links between major sections for navigation and crawlability.
Keyword Strategy Breakdown
I focused on choosing relevant keywords that matched what people are actually searching for. These keywords helped shape the direction of my pages and made it easier for search engines to understand what the content was about.
To find strong keyword ideas, I used a combination of free tools and manual research methods.
My keyword research toolkit included:
Ubersuggest
To check search volume, competition, and keyword suggestions
Google Autocomplete
Start typing a query in the search bar to see real user search suggestions
AnswerThePublic
To explore question-based keyword ideas and topic clusters based on search behavior
Once selected, the keywords were used naturally across the site, including:
Page Titles & Headings
Strategic keyword placement in main page titles and section headings
Meta Descriptions
Compelling descriptions that include target keywords for search results
Body Content
Natural keyword integration throughout main page content
Blog Posts
Focused content targeting specific SEO education keywords
These keywords supported the overall goal of helping people find useful, beginner-friendly SEO guidance and improving how search engines rank the site.
Building Value Through Content
To bring the strategy to life, I created a blog section. These posts serve multiple goals:
Education
Help educate site visitors with valuable, actionable content
Topic Coverage
Cover specific SEO topics like AI, title tags, and search trends
Internal Linking
Improve internal linking between site pages for better navigation
Keyword Targeting
Support keyword targeting based on real search data and user intent
Each blog post was built around keyword research, answering real questions people search for while supporting the overall site structure.
Skills Learned Through the Project
This project gave me the chance to build and refine practical SEO skills by applying real tools and techniques throughout the entire process. Instead of just reading about concepts, I gained hands-on experience that helped me understand how SEO works in action.
The hands-on approach was key to moving from basic understanding to real-world execution.
Some of the core skills I developed include:
Google Search Console
I learned how to submit a site for indexing, monitor crawl status, and identify how Google views each page.
Google Analytics (GA4)
I set up tracking to evaluate how users interact with the site, measure performance, and interpret key metrics like page views and engagement time.
Keyword Discovery
Using tools like Ubersuggest and Google Autocomplete, I learned how to find relevant keywords and map them to specific content needs.
SEO Content Writing
I practiced embedding keywords naturally in titles, descriptions, and content without affecting readability.
AI-Assisted Development
I used Cursor, Claude, and ChatGPT to write clean HTML, add metadata, and improve layout structure. These AI tools also supported troubleshooting and helped refine formatting and page flow for better clarity and usability.
Internal Linking
I linked pages logically to improve both user navigation and how search engines understand the site structure.
Page Structure & Accessibility
I added alt text, used clear headings, and followed best practices to make pages easy to read and crawl.
This hands-on approach helped me move from basic understanding to real-world execution. I now feel more confident using SEO tools, structuring content for visibility, and managing an entire project from the ground up.
Still Want to Learn More?
Explore the blog for more up-to-date SEO tips, trends, and beginner-friendly breakdowns.
Continue to Blog →