If you’re launching a new website, chances are you’ve already heard about SEO – Search Engine Optimization. You know it’s important. You know it helps people find you on Google. But when exactly should you start doing SEO?
Short answer: Yesterday...or weeks ago…
Long answer: The moment you start planning your website – not after it’s built.
Let’s dig into why starting SEO early matters, and how to do it right from day one.
Why Early SEO Matters
Think of SEO like planting seeds. The sooner you plant them, the sooner they can grow. If you wait until your website is live to think about SEO, you’re already behind the curve.
Here’s what early SEO helps you do:
- Build your site with search engines in mind
Your site structure, page URLs, navigation, and even the words you use on each page affect how well your site ranks. - Target the right keywords from the start
Researching keywords early helps you create content your audience is actually searching for. - Avoid costly redesigns later
Making SEO-friendly decisions early means you won’t have to backtrack later to fix things like poor site structure or slow page speed. - Get discovered faster
New websites don’t rank overnight. Google needs time to crawl, index, and trust your site. Starting SEO early gives you a head start.
What SEO Should You Do Before Launch?
Let’s break it down.
1. Keyword Research
Before you even write your homepage, figure out what your ideal customers are typing into Google. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Ahrefs to find:
- Search volume (how many people are searching)
- Competition level
- Related keyword ideas
Don’t just go for high-volume terms. Target specific, relevant keywords that match what your audience needs.
2. Plan a Solid Site Structure
Organize your website so that it’s easy to navigate – both for users and for search engines. Think categories, subcategories, and logical URLs. A flat structure helps Google crawl everything efficiently.
Example:www.yourwebsite.com/services/seo-audit
is better thanwww.yourwebsite.com/page?id=58
That’s why the UltimateWB website builder offers clean and pretty URLs you can customize for each page.
3. Write SEO-Optimized Content
Every page should have:
- A unique title tag (under 60 characters)
- A compelling meta description (under 160 characters)
- Proper use of H1, H2, and H3 headings
- Naturally placed keywords (don’t stuff them)
- Original, helpful content
Even your “About” and “Contact” pages should be optimized.
4. Mobile & Speed Optimization
Google prioritizes mobile-friendly and fast-loading websites. Make sure:
- Your site looks great on mobile devices
- Pages load in under 3 seconds
- You’re using optimized images and clean code – You can automatically convert your images to the compressed and faster loading image WebP with the UltimateWB built-in WebP converter tool. And enjoy the UltimateWB website builder’s clean code too!
Read: What’s the Best Website Builder for SEO?
5. Set Up Google Tools
Before you go live, connect your site to:
- Google Search Console – To monitor how Google sees your site
- Google Analytics – To track traffic and behavior
- Google Business Profile (if local) – To boost your local SEO visibility
Read: How to Set Up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for Your Website: A Step-by-Step Guide
How reliable and accurate is Google Analytics?
Google Search Console vs Google Analytics: What’s the Difference?
What SEO Should You Do Right After Launch?
Once your site is live, keep the momentum going:
- Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console – UltimateWB makes it easy to automatically create your sitemap with the built-in Sitemap Generator tool.
- Monitor for indexing issues
- Start building backlinks from relevant websites
- Publish new content regularly – a blog is great for this
- Track keyword rankings and site performance
Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Starting early just gives you a better chance of winning.
Read: What is the best strategy to get high-quality SEO backlinks?
How Much Content Does Google Need to Trust Your Site?
Can You Publish Content Too Fast for Google? And Does Consistency Matter?
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, you already care about doing SEO the right way – and that’s a big step in the right direction. Whether you’re still planning your site or already launched, the best time to start SEO is now.
The earlier you start, the stronger your foundation. And the stronger your foundation, the more traffic, leads, and conversions you’ll get down the road.
So don’t wait. Get your SEO game rolling from day one – or even before that. Your future self will thank you.
Need help optimizing your new website? Drop your questions in the comments or reach out for a personalized SEO strategy tailored to your goals.
Are you ready to design & build your own website? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.