What is SEO? A Super Simple Guide for Non-Techy Website Owners

If you’ve heard people talk about “SEO” and found yourself nodding along but not totally sure what it means, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.

What Does SEO Stand For?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of making your website easier for people to find when they search for things on Google (or other search engines).

Think of it like this: If your website is a boutique on a quiet street, SEO is what helps people find it when they’re driving by looking for something like “custom candles” or “affordable coaching”.

Why Does SEO Matter?

Most people discover new websites through search. If your content doesn’t show up in search results, it’s much harder to grow your audience, sell your products, or get new leads.

Good SEO helps:

• 🧍‍♀️ More people find your content
• 🛍️ More potential customers visit your product or service page
• 💌 You grow your email list or community faster

Do I Need to Be an SEO Expert?

Nope. Especially if you’re using Oh My Hi.

Some platforms require you to install plugins, special software, tweak settings, or write your content a certain way to improve your SEO. But with Oh My Hi, we take care of the technical SEO setup for you so you can focus on creating great content. And if you want to customize how any specific page appears in search results, those controls are now built right into the editor.

So… What Can You Do to Help Your SEO?

Even though Oh My Hi handles the behind-the-scenes stuff, here are a few simple things you can do to boost your visibility:

1. Write a Clear, Descriptive Title

This becomes your SEO title tag and helps search engines (and people!) understand what the page is about.

💡 If you want your page title and your search result title to be different, you can set a separate SEO Title in the editor sidebar — great for keeping your on-page headline short while giving Google a more descriptive version.

2. Add a Featured Image

This image is used in your SEO tags and when people share your link on social media. The recommended size is 1200 x 630 pixels.

💡 If you ever want a different image to appear when your link is shared on social media (separate from your featured image), you can set a custom Social Share Image in the editor sidebar.

3. Write a Short Excerpt

Oh My Hi uses your excerpt as your page or post description in search engines by default. If you want to write something specifically for search results — separate from what shows as a preview on your site — you can set a dedicated SEO Description in the editor sidebar. Aim for 1–2 sentences (between 120–158 characters) that summarize the content and can entice browsers to click on your link.

4. Use Headings to Organize Content

Break your content into sections using heading blocks (like H2s, H3s, etc.). This helps readers scan and helps search engines understand your structure.

5. Write for Real People

Focus on answering real questions your audience has. Search engines reward helpful, clear content.

6. Include Relevant Keywords Naturally

Use phrases your audience would type into search engines, but don’t force it. If it sounds awkward, skip it.

7. Add Alt Text to Your Images (optional but helpful)

Describe what’s in each image. This helps with accessibility and gives search engines more context.

SEO Isn’t Magic, It’s Just Strategy

SEO can sound like a big, scary tech term but at the end of the day, it’s just about helping the right people find you. And if you’re using Oh My Hi, you already have a head start.

Want to see how we handle the technical stuff for you? Check out our Oh My Hi SEO overview here.