Short definition

SEO — improving a website so search engines can find, understand, and show relevant pages to people making related searches.

Also known as: Search Engine Optimization.

SEO stands for search engine optimization. It improves a website so search engines can find, understand, and evaluate its pages, helping people discover relevant content when they search.

How does SEO work?

SEO works on several layers at once. Technical SEO makes pages crawlable and indexable and supports good performance. Useful content directly addresses the searcher’s question or goal. Links and mentions from reputable sources can strengthen credibility. None of these layers works alone: a fast page without substance is unlikely to rank, while strong content on an uncrawlable site remains invisible.

What does this mean for a small business?

For a small business, SEO is mainly about appearing for the searches customers actually make. That starts with a technically sound site and honest, useful content rather than tricks. Results usually take months rather than days and can build over time as useful pages keep attracting visitors.

What should you watch for with SEO?

  • make every important page reachable through crawlable internal links and use consistent URLs;
  • write distinct titles and descriptions that accurately describe each page;
  • use structured data where it genuinely fits;
  • measure results by page and address the biggest obstacle first;