Today, the success of a website depends directly on SEO efforts. In this article, we will explain everything step by step, starting from the basics of SEO to the correct use of tools such as sitemap, robots.txt, Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, Yandex Metrica, and Google Analytics.

What is SEO?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) refers to all the efforts made to highlight your website in search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yandex. Thanks to SEO, you can gain visitors organically (without advertising).

What Should Be Considered When Doing SEO?

Keyword analysis should be done correctly.
Internal linking should be used.
URL structures should be simple and understandable.
Page speed should be optimized.
Mobile compatibility must be ensured.
High-quality and original content should be produced.
Sitemap and robots.txt files should be configured correctly.
The site should be registered with Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster, and Yandex Metrica.

Creating a Sitemap

A sitemap is a map that informs search engines of all the pages on your site.

XML Sitemap format should be used.
For a sample sitemap, you can use the Sitemap tool here.
The sitemap file should be placed in the root directory and added to Search Console.

Setting Up Robots.txt File

Robots.txt tells search engine bots which pages to crawl.

"User-agent: *" addresses all bots.
"Disallow:" specifies the sections that should not be crawled.
For a simple robots.txt, you can use the robots.txt generator tool.

Google Search Console Setup

Go to Google Search Console.
Add the site.
Verify the domain name (via DNS record or file upload).
Add the sitemap file.

Bing Webmaster Tools Setup

Go to Bing Webmaster Tools.
Create an account or log in with an existing Microsoft account.
Add the site and verify it.
Submit the sitemap.

Yandex Metrica Setup

Go to the Yandex Metrica site.
Create a counter.
Add the tracking code provided to the tag of your site.

Google Analytics Setup

Go to the Google Analytics page.
Create an account.
Create a property.
Add the tracking code provided to the section of your site.

On-Site Adjustments

Optimize all images. You can convert JPEG or PNG files to WebP format here and here.
When linking within the page, be sure to do logical internal linking.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Does It Take for SEO to Show Results? The effect of SEO efforts usually starts to be seen within 3-6 months. However, this period may be extended depending on the sector density and competition.

Is a Sitemap Necessary for Every Site? Yes, a sitemap makes it easier for search engines to crawl every site.

What Happens If There Is No Robots.txt File? Search engine bots crawl all pages randomly and may index unnecessary pages.

Is It Enough to Register Only with Google? No. In addition to Google, you should also register with alternative search engines such as Bing and Yandex to get traffic from them.

In Conclusion SEO is not a one-time job; it is a process that requires continuous monitoring and updating. With the right strategies and regular analysis, you can ensure that your site ranks high in Google.