SEO is the big word in online marketing and the magic formula for more visibility on the web. I have already explained what SEO (search engine optimization) is and how it works in another article. Take a look here if you want to know and learn more about it.

Today it’s all about implementation. Implementing search engine optimization, SEO strategies and successfully optimizing your own website and web content.

And above all, we address the question: Can you do SEO yourself?

So much in advance: yes & no, that depends entirely on you and your starting conditions. After reading this article, you will know whether you can do SEO yourself and whether it makes sense. Let’s get started!

How can I influence Google search results?

In order to influence the machinery of Google and other search engines, we must first and foremost understand how they work. We need to know what criteria they use to evaluate websites and online presences and how a good ranking is achieved.

To recap: Typically, a user types a search term or keyword into the search bar of a search engine. Google then wants to present this user with content and answers that are as useful and substantial as possible.

In order for a post or your own website to rank highly and become a Google favorite, it is important that the content is relevant.

Relevant for a search or a specific search term. This means that the reader receives useful information on a specific keyword. Information that helps him move forward, provides helpful tips and satisfactory answers. In other words, you have to fulfill the search intention in the best possible way.

You can find out exactly what these SEO measures and the search for the right keywords look like and which factors are important for a good Google and search engine ranking here.

Can I do SEO myself?

Perhaps you have already asked yourself this question. The answer is not easy, because: It depends! It depends on your goals. First of all: Sure!

Theoretically, you can do everything yourself. From baking bread rolls to building and optimizing websites. Thanks to the infinity of the Internet and the gigantic expanse of knowledge that is available everywhere for free these days, each of us can learn and do almost anything ourselves.

The only question is whether it makes sense. And sensible means: economical and target-oriented. To answer this, we need to look at your situation and your company.

Firstly: What is your goal with your website and marketing measures? And secondly, what prior knowledge do you and your employees have in the field of SEO? Are you already an SEO professional or an SEO expert and have experience with optimizing a website? Or are you an optimization beginner or keyword novice and SEO marketing is new territory for you?

When is it worth doing search engine optimization yourself?

In addition to your own previous knowledge, the goal that you want to achieve with search engine optimization and online marketing is also crucial. The decisive factor is whether it makes sense for you to tackle SEO yourself or give it to an employee, or whether it is more economical to look for an SEO expert.

Let’s first take a look at what you’re all about: Do you have a blog that you’d like to gain a few more readers for, for example? Or would you like to take your business to the next level with search engine optimization?

Would you like to use SEO measures for a hobby or for your company? Use it to future-proof your online store or service and place your products directly in front of your target group in the long term?

Summary

If you want to do SEO yourself…

…ask yourself beforehand what previous knowledge you have, whether you are willing to acquire knowledge and invest the necessary time

1. search engine optimization for a hobby site

Is your website more of a hobby than a profession? Is the success of your site nice for you, but not crucial or necessary? Then you can usually devote yourself to the topic of SEO and try out what works. You can take your time to find out whether you can optimize your web presence with the means you have acquired yourself.

How can I optimize SEO? What is the best way to proceed?

Here’s a tip: Read up thoroughly on the topic of SEO. Get to grips with Google and how search engines rank websites. Think about your target group and how you can become relevant for a keyword.

Find out which search queries people and primarily your target group use, what your main keyword is and what information you should provide as an author. Take a look at SEO tips and start optimizing your content, both in terms of content and technically.

Here you can read about effective onpage and offpage techniques.

If you see an effect after a few months and have moved up in the search results: great! And if not, don’t give up. SEO takes time. Take this time to learn, try it out and you will see that your efforts will pay off in the long run!

2. search engine optimization for a business website

The whole thing looks a little different when it comes to a business. Because then you want to reach customers and see results. Results that are noticeable through higher conversion and growing sales – as quickly and successfully as possible.

When it comes to your business, SEO should boost your business and profits. SEO should help your company grow. This means that your service is displayed to your target group as prominently as the gigantic entrance sign at a DIY store.

SEO optimization that reliably brings your website and your company into Google’s top search results is time-consuming and requires specialist knowledge. Expert knowledge of how algorithms work and which factors influence a ranking.

Know how people search for things and content and which keywords your competitors use to reach the target group.

And most importantly, you need the knowledge and experience to avoid driving your website into the wall with outdated strategies (keyword: Google penalty). This is the last thing you want to happen to your company website!

Search engine optimization needs expertise

Of course you can acquire knowledge yourself these days. However, this takes time and intensive familiarization, especially in the area of SEO. To make websites Google’s favorite, it is not enough to write an article or content peppered with a specific keyword.

Starting with the structure, the menu and the user-friendly use of your site, through to the content structure, your website must be well thought out. If you want to do the SEO optimization of your website yourself, you should allow at least two full months for this. Time in which you focus exclusively on search engine optimization and work through your site piece by piece.

Does it cost money to do search engine optimization and SEO yourself?

Many people assume that it is cheaper to take SEO into their own hands. That no budget is needed or costs incurred if search engine optimization is handled internally. However, this is a fallacy, because there are some indirect costs.

Costs that you may not even notice at first glance. In addition to the time you have to invest – and time is money, as we all know – you need some analysis and SEO tools to successfully optimize your website.

SEO tools for successful optimization

You need tools that give you information about the best search terms and keywords for good rankings on the Internet. They show you how your text and content should look and be written. Applications that help you find out which long-tail keywords should not be missing and which article topic is particularly in demand.

In short, there are a number of tools and applications that are necessary to make your content SEO friendly. These help you to fulfill the requirements for a good ranking and to be presented to customers on the results page of their search.

The most popular are probably:

Do we need all these tools? Theoretically, you can also work without any helpers, but then your optimization will be even more laborious and time-consuming. You have to honestly ask yourself whether the cost/benefit ratio is still right.

Summary

Doing SEO yourself is not free

Not only do you have to invest a lot of time, but you also need various tools for effective SEO optimization. These are not necessarily cheap

What are the dangers of doing SEO yourself?

If you want to convince Google & Co, you really need to understand search engine optimization. This is not easy for non-experts, because a search engine is clever. Google can no longer be convinced by the mere presence of a keyword. More is needed.

Starting with an intensive keyword analysis and website analyses of competitors, both on-page and off-page measures are important.

The danger of doing SEO marketing yourself is that you invest a lot of time and money for little success. Whether you put your employees or yourself on it – the time required is often underestimated and the frustration is great if no success and no higher ranking is apparent even after months.

In the worst case, you could even risk a Google penalty and prevent your ranking success for several years. If you want to tackle the topic of SEO yourself, please inform yourself in advance about the no-go’s and how to avoid a penalty.

Do it yourself SEO: Is it worth doing SEO yourself?

Let’s briefly summarize the whole thing again. Doing SEO yourself, taking search engine optimization into your own hands is possible.

But it takes expertise, time and money. If you are someone who just wants a few more readers on your site – then you can try it yourself. Start putting SEO tips into practice to get yourself a higher ranking on Google.

However, if you want to grow your business successfully, then it’s worth working with experts. If you want to increase your visibility and reach and secure a place on the first page of Google, then implementing tips is not enough.

For a professional internet presence, it makes sense to rely on an SEO team, an agency, an SEO freelancer or other experts. Experts who know their way around keywords and search engines – and who, although they have their price at the beginning, will pay off and be profitable in the end.

Summary

Doing SEO yourself can be worthwhile…

…if you either already have previous knowledge and know what you’re doing, or you want to try your hand at a hobby project first. That’s the best way to learn anyway! (my opinion)

What is the result of successful SEO work?

We looked at your goals earlier. Anyone thinking about SEO measures and online marketing wants to be visible online. You can have the best product or the most exciting online course, but if your customers don’t know about it, you won’t benefit. SEO is the measure to make you and your company visible to your target group in the long term.

With a successful SEO strategy, your website will land in Google’s top results. Your content appears when someone googles a service that you offer. And not just for a short time, as with an ad placement, but for the long term. With SEO, you can establish your company online and position it so that people can find you.

There are many ways to achieve successful SEO. Which strategy and measures are best for you and how to approach them depends on your industry and your individual offer.

Conclusion

Basically, any of us can learn anything these days – from bread rolls to building websites. Sometimes, however, it is both more successful and more economical to leave the baking or a service to professionals – because they usually not only do it faster, but also much tastier and more successful.

If your web presence is your business and you want to win customers and sell your product with your website, it makes sense to hire SEO professionals. SEO is the marketing measure that has a very good cost-benefit ratio and, if successful, will have an impact on your business for months and years to come.

Kontaktiere unsere SEO Experten

Hannes Kaltofen

Gründer & Geschäftsführer

Seit über 7 Jahren in den SERPs unterwegs. Bereits während meindes BWL Studiums habe Ich mich in das Affiliate Marketing, Blogging und Agenturgeschäft gestürzt und helfe Unternehmen seitdem bei ihrer Sichtbarkeit.

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