SEO: The Most Popular Term in Digital Marketing That Many Still Don’t Understand

SEO is one of the most talked-about topics in digital marketing.
Everyone says, “You need SEO!”
Every agency offers “SEO services!”
Every business wants to “rank higher on Google!”
Yet, many business owners still don’t fully understand what SEO actually is or how it works.
And honestly, that’s not their fault.
Marketing agencies often make SEO sound too technical. They throw around words like backlinks, crawlers, algorithms, domain authority—but never explain what it actually means in a way that makes sense.
So, let’s break it down. What is SEO?
SEO Explained in Simple Terms
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation.
It’s the process of making your website appear higher in Google when someone searches for a service you offer.
Imagine you own a plumbing business in Exeter.
When someone types “best plumber in Exeter”, you want your website to show up on the first page. That’s SEO.
How Does SEO Work?
Google’s job is to show people the best and most relevant websites for their search.
To decide which sites rank highest, Google looks at three main things:
1️⃣ Your Website Content
• Does your website clearly explain what you do?
• Do you have pages for different services (e.g., emergency plumbing, boiler repairs)?
• Do you use the right words people search for (e.g., “emergency plumber Exeter”)?
2️⃣ Your Website Performance
• Does your site load quickly?
• Is it mobile-friendly?
• Do people stay on your site, or do they leave after a few seconds?
3️⃣ Your Business Reputation
• Do other trusted websites link to yours?
• Do you have real customer reviews on Google?
• Are you listed in directories like Google My Business?
Google looks at all these factors and ranks your website accordingly.
If your website is relevant, fast, and trusted, you’ll rank higher. If not, your competitors will.
Why Should You Care About SEO?
Think about how you use Google.
When you search for a product or service, do you click on page 5 of Google?
Probably not.
Most people click the top 3 results. If your business isn’t there, you’re invisible to potential customers.
SEO makes sure your business is found by the right people at the right time—when they’re actively searching for what you offer.
How Can You Improve Your SEO?
✅ Set up your Google Business Profile (so customers can find you easily)
✅ Use the right keywords (words your customers actually search for)
✅ Make sure your website loads fast (or people will leave)
✅ Get reviews on Google (this builds trust)
✅ Keep your website updated (Google prefers fresh content)
Want Help With SEO?
You don’t need to understand all the technical details. But you do need an SEO strategy if you want to grow your business.
At Leadiflo Ltd, we help businesses rank higher, get more leads, and grow without wasting money on ads.
📍 Want to improve your SEO? Let’s talk: www.leadiflo.co.uk
Oh, and since we still haven’t explained some of the crazy words we used earlier, here’s what they actually mean:
🔹 Backlinks – When another website links to yours. Google sees this as a “vote of confidence,” which helps your rankings.
🔹 Crawlers – Bots used by Google to scan your website and decide what it’s about. If they can’t crawl it properly, your site won’t rank well.
🔹 Algorithms – The secret formulas Google uses to decide which websites show up first when people search for something.
🔹 Domain Authority – A score (from 1 to 100) that shows how trustworthy your website is. Higher scores mean Google is more likely to rank you higher.
There you go. SEO, without the fluff. Now, what’s stopping you from ranking higher? Let’s fix it. 🚀
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