When you’re looking for a answer, what do you do? You Google it, right? Most of us pull out our smartphone or laptop and head to Google, or a similar search engine to find answers. It’s so common that “google” is listed as a verb in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Of course, as a business owner, you want your own website to come up when people are searching for your product or service. So, how do you make sure your website appears in relevant search results? Your website has to be attractive to search engines. You need all the right ingredients to earn high rankings. This is where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in.

To ensure sure your website is as relevant as possible and when it comes to wowing search engines, you’ll want to learn as much as possible about search engine optimization from the pros.

To help you learn more about SEO, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best resources on the subject. While we’ve explained it in fairly simple terms, SEO can be complicated. Whether you’re an SEO newbie, or have a basic understanding of the practice, these resources are meant to help small business owners with a variety of skill levels.

SEO websites and blogs

1. Search Engine Land

This website, which focuses on the search marketing industry, is like a digital encyclopedia of search engine optimization information. Updates are frequent and subscribing to the daily newsletter will land all the latest news right in your inbox.

2. Moz

Moz is an inbound marketing company and provider of SEO tools that has a blog full of insightful articles. The blog is updated frequently, and you can search for specific topics of interest. SOme of our favorite content is the Whiteboard Friday video series with Rand Fishkin the Wizard of Moz.

3. Wordtracker

Wordtracker was doing SEO before it had a name. Based in London, this company publishes regular content about SEO on its blog.

Guides and videos

4. Google’s Search Engine Optimization Guide

This 30-page PDF is a great beginner’s guide to SEO. It’s full of information and pictures that go along with actionable tips that you can use to improve your Google rankings.

5. Creating an SEO Strategy

Not sure where to begin? Google has a how-to video that helps you set up a SEO strategy.

6. The Advanced Guide to SEO

Quick Sprout created this nine-chapter guide that offers more advanced SEO tips. It’s set up in an infographic style, which makes it easier to digest.

7. How to Conduct a Competitive SEO Audit

HubSpot has a five-step guide that checks your website against your competition. It’s a great resource for those with advanced SEO knowledge.

SEO tools

8. Google Webmaster Tools

As you make improvements to your website, you’ll want to monitor your success. Google Webmaster Tools can provide the statistics you’re looking for. Think of it as a data center for your website. We have a Beginner’s Guide to Google Webmaster Tools that you’ll find helpful as you learn your way around the site. Bing has a similar tool.

9. Google Adwords Keyword Tools

Keywords are important to every SEO campaign. This tool will help you pick words that are popular with consumers and attractive to search engines.

10. Open Site Explorer

This tool serves as a link checker. You can see who has links to your site, spot broken URLs and size up your competition with this Moz tool. It has limited free capabilities, but you can upgrade for more features.

Where do you turn for SEO advice? Tell us your favorite resource or SEO tool in the comment section below. To learn more about the do’s and don’ts of SEO check out our popular infographic.

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