Hey there,
Hope your week’s been smooth so far! So it’s Thursday—which means it’s time to take the next step in your website’s journey. Last week we focused on creating compelling pages and blog content that share your story and engage your audience. Those foundations are in place, and now it’s time to make sure the people you want to reach can actually find them.
This week, we’re diving into SEO fundamentals for WordPress. You’ll learn practical ways to structure your pages, use keywords thoughtfully, and optimize your content so your site gains visibility and steadily builds its presence online, quietly working for you behind the scenes.
Week #10 - SEO Fundamentals for WordPress
Weekly Picks
A clear, non-intimidating walkthrough of how small businesses can win visibility in search results. No jargon, no fluff — just what actually matters when growing a website’s reach.
Master the art of on-page SEO with clear, actionable guidance. Learn how to structure pages, use headings and meta info smartly, and make your content easier to find (and love) by search engines.
Discover practical lessons from ten years of SEO experience. This guide shows how to pick keywords that genuinely drive traffic — no guesswork, no overcomplicated tools, just results.
AI search is reshaping local visibility. Learn how to use GEO tagging, local SEO, and smart content placement to make sure your business shows up where it counts — right on the map.
Lists, Lists, & Lists
Skip the clutter — this carefully curated list highlights only the most reliable and high-performing SEO plugins that can actually move the needle for your WordPress site.
Seven easy-to-implement SEO moves that don’t require an agency or a headache. Think clarity, structure, and consistency — not keyword stuffing or magic formulas.
The algorithms may change, but the principles don’t. This piece breaks down the seven ranking factors that’ll still matter long after the next Google update drops.
Stop hunting endlessly for free tools. This list spotlights the most useful, no-cost keyword research resources that actually help small businesses target the right searches and grow their reach.
Location-based marketing isn’t just for big brands anymore. Explore seven smart tools that help small businesses compete locally (and make sure Google knows exactly where you are).
Smooth Operations
Learn how search engines crawl, index, and rank your pages in plain language. Understanding the basics helps you structure your WordPress site so Google actually notices.
Get started with Google Search Console on WordPress. Track performance, fix issues, and make sure your pages are discoverable (yes, it’s easier than it sounds!).
Extra Boost
A video guide walking you through modern keyword research. See exactly how to pick, prioritize, and implement keywords on your WordPress site to improve visibility and attract the right audience.
Checklist | SEO Checklist: 41 Tips to Optimize Your Website
This comprehensive SEO checklist covers 41 actionable items to improve your WordPress site’s search performance. Perfect for quick wins and ongoing site maintenance (without feeling overwhelmed).
Learn how structured data helps search engines understand your content. This beginner-friendly guide explains schemas, rich snippets, and practical implementation tips for WordPress sites.
Weekly Tip | How to Track and Measure SEO Success in WordPress
Tracking SEO success isn’t just about watching rankings rise — it’s about understanding whether your content, site structure, and traffic are actually moving the needle for your business. Done right, SEO measurement tells you what works, what doesn’t, and where to focus next.
Why SEO Measurement Matters for WordPress Sites
Google’s algorithm is complex, but the signals that matter most for your site are straightforward: engagement, visibility, and authority. Without measuring the right metrics, you’re guessing. With the right setup, you can see exactly how your pages perform, which keywords bring in visitors, and which content converts. This is crucial not just for organic growth, but for conversion optimization: knowing which pages keep visitors engaged lets you optimize for sales, signups, or inquiries.
Key Metrics to Track
Organic Traffic Track how many visitors are landing on your site from search engines. Google Analytics (or GA4) is a must — set it up on WordPress with a plugin like Site Kit by Google. Look at overall trends, top-performing pages, and the queries bringing traffic.
Keyword Rankings Know where you stand for the terms that matter. Many SEO plugins and tools can track how your pages rank over time. Don’t obsess over every tiny position change; focus on keywords that drive relevant traffic.
Click-Through Rate (CTR) from Search Google Search Console shows you how often your pages appear in results vs. how often they’re clicked. A high impression count but low CTR signals that meta titles or descriptions need work — small tweaks can have a big impact.
Bounce Rate & Time on Page Are visitors sticking around or leaving immediately? Google interprets engagement as a quality signal. Use WordPress-friendly analytics plugins (Site Kit or MonsterInsights) to monitor average session duration, bounce rate, and page views per session.
Conversions & Goals SEO isn’t just traffic — it’s results. Set up goals in Analytics for newsletter signups, purchases, contact form submissions, or other key actions. Track which pages and keywords drive these conversions so you know what to double down on.
Backlinks & Domain Authority Quality links remain a strong ranking factor. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or even free reports in Search Console can show you who’s linking to your site, the quality of those links, and opportunities to gain more authority.
Practical WordPress Tips
Use a dedicated SEO plugin (like All-in-One SEO, Rank Math, SEOPress, or Yoast) to automatically track key on-page metrics.
Connect Google Search Console and Google Analytics to WordPress to get insights directly in your dashboard.
Consider structured data (schema markup) to improve visibility and enhance rich results.
Monitor site speed and mobile usability — both affect SEO rankings and engagement.
Takeaway
Measuring SEO success in WordPress is not about obsessing over every ranking jump. It’s about tracking the right signals — traffic, engagement, conversions — and using them to make smarter content and site decisions. By seeing the full picture, you can focus your efforts on what actually drives growth, rather than guessing blindly.
Because the truth is: what gets measured gets improved. And when your WordPress site tells you the story of its SEO performance, every tweak, page, and post becomes a calculated step toward growth.
That’s a Wrap
Edition #10 wraps up — and your WordPress site is now more visible than ever. 👀
This week, we covered SEO fundamentals: page structure, keywords, on-page tweaks, and practical steps that help your content get noticed by search engines (without losing your voice).
Next week, we turn our focus to a hands-on topic: Keyword Research for WooCommerce Products. Your store’s products deserve to be found by the right shoppers at the right time.
Keep optimizing, keep learning — your site is steadily climbing the visibility ladder.
See you in the next issue! 📬
Gabor, for WP Growth Weekly