The SEO foundation every new website needs

Much of what is written about SEO is about tricks, algorithm-gaming and "hacks". The truth is less dramatic: Google rewards websites that are clear, fast and easy to understand – for both machines and humans. The foundation is not magic; it is ten concrete technical things that can be ticked off point by point. Here is the list.

This is the SEO foundation – not magic

None of the points below require special contacts at Google or secret formulas. It is the same kind of groundwork as a good tradesman’s preparation: invisible when done right, but decisive for the result. And because it is so concrete, it can actually be checked – point by point.

The checklist

1. Clear titles with keywords and location.

   The page title is what Google weights most heavily, and the first thing users see in the results list. "Dentist – Sentrum Dental Clinic in Oslo" beats "Welcome to us" every single time.

2. A unique meta description per page.

   The description often decides whether someone clicks your result or a competitor’s. Write it by hand, so it actually explains what the page contains.

3. One H1 per page, logical H2/H3.

   The heading structure is the table of contents Google reads to understand the page. One main heading, with subheadings that mirror the content.

4. Fast loading and responsive design.

   Google indexes the mobile version first, and visitors give up on pages that take more than a few seconds to load. Compress images and drop unnecessary scripts.

5. HTTPS.

   The padlock icon in the browser is both a trust signal for visitors and an official ranking factor. Every website should have a valid SSL certificate today.

6. sitemap.xml + robots.txt.

   The sitemap is the map that shows Google all your pages, and robots.txt says what should not be indexed. Two small files that make indexing faster and tidier.

7. Structured data (schema.org).

   Code that tells Google what the content is – business, opening hours, product, article. It can earn you rich results with stars, prices and contact details in the search results.

8. Google Search Console connected.

   This is where you see how Google actually sees your website: which searches you appear for, which pages are indexed, and which errors need fixing. Free, and indispensable.

9. NAP consistency (name, address, phone).

   The same details everywhere – on the website, in the Google Business Profile, in directories. Conflicting information undermines trust with both Google and your customers.

10. Internal links between relevant pages.

    Links between your own pages help Google understand what you offer, and send visitors on to what they are actually looking for. Remember them from the service pages to the blog articles – and vice versa.

What we do for every single customer

Everything on the list above is included in all our packages – NettVisitt (NOK 5 500), NettStart (NOK 10 000), NettMaks (NOK 20 000) and NettButikk (NOK 35 000), all ex. VAT. You should not pay extra for titles, meta descriptions, structured data, sitemap or Search Console setup; it is part of delivering a website that can actually be found.

If you already have a website that is missing this foundation, NettSyn (NOK 3 500 ex. VAT) is the option for you. We go through the points above on your existing website, put right what is missing, and connect you to Search Console – without you having to build anything from scratch.

Common SEO myths

• "SEO is a trick." It is not – it is mainly the groundwork above and good content. Those who promise tricks are usually promising things Google penalises.
• "SEO is a one-off job." The foundation is laid once, but visibility is maintained: fresh content, updated pages and regular follow-ups in Search Console are what keep you visible over time.
• "Someone can guarantee position 1." Nobody can – not us, not an agency, not an "SEO expert" who rings you. Google decides for itself, and competition varies from industry to industry. What can be guaranteed is that the foundation is in place.