📈 Best SEO Tips for WordPress Beginners (RankMath + Yoast)
So, you’ve built your WordPress website—great start! But just having a website isn’t enough. You need people to find it. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.
If you’re a beginner trying to grow your WordPress site, learning the best SEO tips for WordPress beginners is essential. SEO helps your site rank higher in search engines like Google, bringing in more traffic without paying for ads.
Let’s dive in!
🔍 What is SEO & Why Does It Matter?
SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it appears higher on search engine results pages (like Google). The higher your site ranks, the more traffic you get—simple!
For beginners, SEO might sound technical, but with the help of plugins like RankMath and Yoast SEO, it becomes easy.
🛠️ Yoast SEO vs RankMath – A Quick Comparison
Feature | Yoast SEO | RankMath |
---|---|---|
Free version available | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Keyword optimization | ✅ 1 Keyword (Free) | ✅ 5 Keywords (Free) |
User Interface | Easy | Easier + modern |
Google Schema support | Paid Only | ✅ Free Included |
SEO Score | Yes (traffic light) | Yes (0–100 score) |
Both are great, but RankMath gives more free features than Yoast. However, beginners can start with either.

10 Best SEO Tips for WordPress Beginners Using RankMath or Yoast
1️⃣ Add Focus Keywords to Every Page/Post
A focus keyword is the main phrase people will search for on Google. Use it in:
- The title
- First 100 words
- Headings (like H2 or H3)
- URL
- Meta description
📌 RankMath even shows you an SEO score out of 100 to help improve placement.
2️⃣ Write SEO-Friendly Titles & Meta Descriptions
Your title tag and meta description are what users see in search results.
Use:
- Power words (like “Best”, “Top”, “Ultimate”)
- The focus keyword
- Clear value (e.g., “Top SEO Tips for Beginners – Easy Guide”)
Both RankMath and Yoast let you preview and edit these.
3️⃣ Use Headings Properly (H1, H2, H3)
Structure your blog post with:
- 1 H1 (the title)
- Multiple H2 for main sections
- H3 for sub-sections
This helps Google understand your content clearly.
4️⃣ Create SEO-Friendly URLs (Permalinks)
Keep your post URLs short and clean, like:
yoursite.com/seo-tips-wordpress
Avoid long, messy URLs with dates or numbers.
5️⃣ Use Internal Linking
Link to your other blog posts and pages using related anchor text.
Example: Want to learn how to choose a theme? Check out this guide.
This helps users stay longer and improves SEO.
6️⃣ Add Image Alt Text
Every image on your site should have a meaningful alt tag.
Alt text describes the image, which helps Google understand it.
RankMath and Yoast both alert you if it’s missing.
7️⃣ Use Schema Markup
Schema helps Google display rich snippets (like star ratings, FAQs, etc.).
RankMath gives free schema options like:
- Article
- Product
- Recipe
- FAQ
Use these to stand out in search results!
8️⃣ Submit Your Site to Google Search Console
After installing Yoast or RankMath, verify your site on Google Search Console to:
- Submit your sitemap
- Track performance
- Identify SEO errors
It’s free and powerful for SEO tracking.
9️⃣ Use SEO Analysis Tool
RankMath has an SEO Analyzer that checks:
- Keyword usage
- Title optimization
- Image tags
- Broken links
Yoast also offers readability analysis and traffic-light scoring.
🔟 Optimize for Readability
Google prefers content that’s easy to read.
Tips:
- Use short sentences
- Break text into paragraphs
- Add bullet points & subheadings
- Avoid passive voice
Yoast has a Readability Score, and RankMath shows content AI suggestions (in the Pro version).
These best SEO tips for WordPress beginners are easy to apply, even if you have no coding or technical knowledge.
⚖️ Which Plugin Should You Choose?
- Start with Yoast SEO if you want a simple setup and classic interface.
- Go with RankMath if you want more advanced features for free and a modern interface.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Just stick to one and learn to use it well.
❓FAQs
Q1. Can I use both RankMath and Yoast together?
No, you should only use one SEO plugin at a time to avoid conflicts.
Q2. Is RankMath really better than Yoast?
Both are powerful. RankMath offers more features for free, but some users prefer Yoast’s simplicity.
Q3. Do I need to buy the premium version?
No. The free versions are great for beginners. Upgrade only if you need advanced features.
Q4. How long does it take to see SEO results?
SEO takes time. With consistent effort, you can start seeing results in 3–6 months.
🔚 Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about growing your WordPress site in 2025, learning the basics of SEO is a must. Tools like RankMath and Yoast make it easy for beginners to optimize without technical knowledge.
Start slow, follow these tips, and stay consistent. Your traffic will grow step by step.
Learning the best SEO tips for WordPress beginners will help you grow your website faster, reach more people, and build a strong presence in 2025. With plugins like RankMath and Yoast, even beginners can start optimizing like pros.
Want to make your website look amazing? Check out these free WordPress themes.