Chapter 13: SEO Basics for WordPress

SEO Basics for WordPress — this is where your site starts getting found on Google, especially for local searches like “web designer Hyderabad” or “affordable website development Telangana”. In early 2026 (around 5:55 PM IST right now), SEO has evolved with AI Overviews, mobile-first indexing, and emphasis on user experience (Core Web Vitals), but the fundamentals remain: helpful content + technical signals + on-page clarity.

SEO isn’t magic—it’s about making your site easy for Google to understand and love, while giving visitors exactly what they want. We’ll focus on on-page essentials (what you control directly), installing/configuring a plugin, best practices for titles/meta/headings, and getting started with XML sitemaps + Google Search Console. Examples are tailored to your freelance web design/portfolio site (webliance.in).

On-Page SEO Essentials

On-page SEO = optimizing individual pages/posts so search engines know what the page is about and users love it. Key elements in 2026:

• Focus Keyword — Choose one primary keyword per page (e.g., “web design Hyderabad” for your services page). Use tools like Google Keyword Planner (free) or plugin suggestions.
• Content Quality — Write for humans first (helpful, original, 800–2000+ words for in-depth pages). Answer questions, use short paragraphs, bullet lists.
• Internal Linking — Link to other pages (e.g., from blog post to services page) to help Google crawl and boost authority.
• URL Structure — Clean/permalinks (already set to /%postname%/).
• Images/Media — Alt text with keywords (e.g., “Hyderabad freelance web designer portfolio example”).
• Mobile-Friendly + Speed — Responsive theme + caching (from earlier chapters).
• Schema Markup — Add structured data (reviews, local business) for rich snippets.

Example for your Services page:

• Primary keyword: “web design services Hyderabad”
• Content: Explain offerings, include local examples (e.g., “We helped a Banjara Hills cafe increase bookings 40% with mobile-first design”).
• Internal links: To portfolio case studies, blog on trends.

Installing & Configuring an SEO Plugin

You need one — core WordPress doesn’t handle meta tags, sitemaps, or analysis well.

2026 Recommendations (based on active installs, features, reviews):

• Rank Math — Often wins for free features (AI suggestions, advanced schema, Google Trends integration, better content analysis). Very popular in India.
• Yoast SEO — Classic, beginner-friendly readability scores, strong breadcrumbs.
• All in One SEO (AIOSEO) — Excellent wizard, AI tools, great for businesses/local SEO, often tops for ease + future-proofing (AI search era).

My pick for you: Start with Rank Math (free version powerful enough). It’s feature-rich without overwhelming beginners, and handles local SEO well.

Install & Setup:

1. Plugins → Add New → Search “Rank Math SEO” → Install → Activate.
2. Run Setup Wizard (pops up automatically):
   • Site type: Personal/Business → “Business” for freelance.
   • Connect Google Search Console (optional now, do later).
   • Enable modules: Sitemaps, Schema, 404 Monitor, Breadcrumbs, Redirections.
   • Analytics: Connect Google Analytics if you have it.
   • Finish → Rank Math adds meta box to every post/page editor.

Alternative: If you prefer simpler — AIOSEO or Yoast. All three generate sitemaps auto.

Quick config:

• Rank Math → Dashboard → General Settings → Titles & Meta → Enable for Pages/Posts.
• Sitemaps → Enable XML Sitemaps → Exclude if needed (e.g., thank-you pages).

Best Practices for Titles, Meta Descriptions, Headings

These appear in Google results → huge for clicks + rankings.

SEO Titles (page title in browser tab + SERP):

• Length: 50–60 characters (shows fully in results).
• Front-load keyword (e.g., “Web Design Services Hyderabad | Webliance” not “Hire the Best…”).
• Make clickable: Benefit + keyword (e.g., “Affordable Web Design in Hyderabad 2026 – Get Free Quote”).
• Unique per page.
• In plugin: Edit post/page → Rank Math box → SEO Title field (auto-suggests).

Meta Descriptions:

• Length: 150–160 characters (shows snippet).
• Include keyword naturally + call-to-action (e.g., “Professional web design services in Hyderabad. Custom, fast, SEO-optimized sites for local businesses. Free consultation – contact Webliance today!”).
• Compelling: Solve problem, add urgency/benefit.
• Plugin auto-generates from content — edit for better CTR.

Headings (H1–H6):

• One H1 per page (main title, often matches page title).
• H2 for main sections (e.g., “Our Web Design Process”, “Why Choose Us in Hyderabad”).
• H3/H4 for sub-sections.
• Include variations/related keywords (LSI: “responsive websites”, “Hyderabad freelance designer”).
• Improves readability + Google understands structure.

Example for your “Services” page:

• H1 (page title): Web Design Services in Hyderabad
• SEO Title (plugin): Web Design Services Hyderabad | Affordable & Custom | Webliance
• Meta Description: Expert web design services in Hyderabad – mobile-first, SEO-optimized websites starting from ₹15,000. Boost your business online. Free quote from local experts!
• Headings: H2 “Packages & Pricing”, H2 “Our Process”, H3 “Step 1: Discovery & Planning”

In Rank Math: Traffic Light score guides you (green = good optimization).

XML Sitemaps & Google Search Console Intro

XML Sitemaps — List of all important URLs for Google to crawl/index faster.

• Most plugins auto-generate (e.g., Rank Math: yoursite.com/sitemap_index.xml).
• Enable in plugin settings → Submit to Google.

Google Search Console (GSC) Intro (free tool from Google):

1. Go to search.google.com/search-console → Add Property → URL Prefix → yoursite.com (verify via HTML tag/plugin or DNS).
2. After verification → Indexing → Sitemaps → Add/Test Sitemap → Paste /sitemap_index.xml → Submit.
3. Check: Coverage (indexed pages), Performance (clicks/impressions), Mobile Usability, Core Web Vitals.

Why do this early:

• See crawl errors.
• Submit new pages fast.
• Track local rankings (e.g., “web designer Hyderabad” impressions).
• Get insights (queries bringing traffic).

Example: After setup, submit sitemap → Wait 1–7 days → See indexed pages in GSC. Submit individual URLs via URL Inspection if urgent.

Quick 2026 Checklist:

• Install Rank Math → Run wizard.
• Optimize 1–2 key pages (Services, Home).
• Enable sitemap → Submit to GSC.
• Write content with keywords naturally.
• Monitor in GSC (set up alerts).

SEO takes time (weeks–months for results), but these basics set strong foundation. Focus on local: Add NAP (Name, Address, Phone) if applicable, Google Business Profile link.