Key SEO Terms You Need to Know

So, you decided you need SEO but all the jargon seems to throw you? Shopping around you see agencies use words like “backlinks”, “conversions” or “authority”, and you may wonder what they mean. This article will certainly help.

We want our clients to not be pressured to buy our product without understanding what they are purchasing. If you want to make smart decisions about SEO, you need to understand these technical terms.

This is a compiled glossary of the most important SEO terms in simple, practical language. By the end, you’ll be able to read SEO reports, evaluate agency proposals, and know exactly what you’re paying for.

Basic SEO Concepts

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

   The overall process of improving your website so that it ranks higher on search engines like Google. SEO helps people find your business when they search for products or services you offer.

2. SERP (Search Engine Results Page)

   The page of results you see after typing something into Google. It includes organic results, paid ads, featured snippets, maps, and sometimes videos.

3. Organic Results

   The unpaid listings on Google. Unlike ads, you don’t pay for each click. Instead, you earn these spots through SEO.

4. Keywords

   Words or phrases people type into search engines. Choosing the right keywords is the foundation of SEO. Example: digital marketing agency Singapore.

5. Search Intent

   The reason behind a search. It could be informational (looking for knowledge), navigational (looking for a website), or transactional (ready to buy). Matching content to intent is critical.

Technical SEO Terms

1. Crawling

   The process where search engines like Google scan your website to see what pages exist.

2. Indexing

   When Google stores your web pages in its database after crawling them. If your page isn’t indexed, it won’t show up in search results.

3. Meta Title & Meta Description

   Snippets of text that describe your page in search results. They don’t directly affect rankings but strongly influence whether people click on your site.

4. Alt Text

   Descriptions for images. They help Google understand what your images are about and improve accessibility for visually impaired users.

5. Canonical Tag

   A tag that tells Google which version of a page is the main one, preventing duplicate content issues.

6. Robots.txt

   A file that instructs search engines on which pages they are allowed (or not allowed) to crawl.

7. XML Sitemap

   A file that lists all the important pages on your site, helping search engines discover and index them.

On-Page SEO Terms

1. H1, H2, H3 Tags

   Headings on your webpage. H1 is the main title, H2 are subheadings, and H3 are further breakdowns. Google uses these to understand content structure.

2. Internal Links

   Links within your own website that connect different pages. They help users navigate and guide Google through your site.

3. Anchor Text

   The clickable words in a hyperlink. Example: in ‘click here to learn about SEO’, ‘learn about SEO’ is the anchor text.

4. Content Optimisation

   Making sure your page’s text, images, and layout are aligned with SEO best practices while remaining useful for readers.

5. Keyword Density

   How often a keyword appears in your text. Overusing keywords can harm rankings, so balance is key.

Off-Page SEO Terms

1. Backlinks

   Links from other websites pointing to your site. High-quality backlinks signal trust and authority to Google.

2. Link Building

   The process of acquiring backlinks through outreach, partnerships, or PR.

3. Domain Authority (DA)

   A metric created by SEO tools (not Google) to estimate how strong a website is. Higher DA usually means better chances of ranking.

4. Citation

   Mentions of your business details (name, address, phone number) on online directories or other websites. Important for local SEO.

Terms for SEO Performance

1. CTR (Click-Through Rate)

   The percentage of people who click your site after seeing it in search results. Higher CTR often means your titles and descriptions are attractive.

2. Bounce Rate

   The percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing just one page. A high bounce rate may indicate that users didn’t find what they wanted.

3. Dwell Time

   How long visitors stay on your site before returning to Google. Longer dwell time can signal useful content.

4. Conversion Rate

   The percentage of visitors who complete a desired action (e.g., filling out a form, making a purchase).

5. Impressions

   The number of times your site appears in search results, even if no one clicks.

6. Traffic Sources

   Where your website visitors come from, whether it is from organic search, paid ads, social media, or direct visits.

Other Terms

1. Google Business Profile (GBP)

   A free listing that appears in Google Maps and local results. Essential for service-based businesses in Singapore.

2. Reviews

   Customer reviews on your Google profile or other platforms. Positive reviews boost trust and influence rankings.

3. NAP Consistency

   Consistency of your Name, Address, email, and Phone number across all platforms. Inconsistent details can harm SEO.

How do you use these terms?

Knowledge is power when searching for an agency to provide SEO to your website. It helps you ask the right questions, like:

• Can you explain what the current DA of my website is?
• What backlinks are being built and from where?
• Which keywords are the most used in conversions?

Armed with this knowledge, you will never be caught off guard and can better allocate your marketing budget to informed decisions.

How does Overlock help small businesses?

Unlike many agencies that bundle SEO into expensive packages, we give small businesses in Singapore direct access to SEO specialists, web developers, and marketing experts and you only need to pay an hourly rate. This means:

• You only pay for the work you actually need.
• No generic packages or upsells.
• Direct communication with a dedicated account manager that is available to answer all questions.
• Dedicated time spent on your business, not diluted across multiple clients.

SEO may seem complicated at first, but once you know the key terms, it becomes far less intimidating. Overlock Digital’s account managers will also answer any questions you have. With this glossary in hand, and with our personalised, hourly support model, you can go from just understanding terms to understanding SEO’s importance in helping your business grow.