In this guide, we’ll explore the main types of SEO, additional subcategories, and how to assess which services your business might need for better visibility and long-term growth.
What Are the Main Types of SEO?
There are three core kinds of SEO that every business should understand:
1. On-Page SEO
On-page SEO refers to all optimization efforts made directly on your website’s content and HTML source code. It ensures your pages are optimized for both search engines and users.
Key elements of on-page SEO include:
- Assigning target keywords to each webpage
- Writing SEO-friendly page titles and meta descriptions
- Optimizing product or service descriptions
- Adding fresh, high-quality blog content
- Structuring content using proper HTML heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
- Creating internal links and optimizing anchor text
- Using schema markup to help search engines understand your content
If your website lacks keyword targeting, clear structure, or helpful content, on-page SEO should be your starting point.
2. Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside of your website to enhance its search engine rankings and authority. A significant component of off-page SEO is building high-quality backlinks.
Off-page SEO activities include:
- Building backlinks from reputable sites
- Guest posting and digital PR outreach
- Managing online reviews and ratings
- Engaging in forums and communities relevant to your niche
- Creating shareable content like infographics or videos
- Promoting your brand across social media channels
If your site has great content but lacks visibility or authority, improving your off-page SEO can make a significant difference.
3. Technical SEO
Technical SEO focuses on the backend structure and performance of your website. It ensures that search engines can efficiently crawl, index, and render your pages while also delivering a seamless user experience.
Common technical SEO tasks include:
- Conducting technical SEO audits
- Creating and submitting XML sitemaps
- Using robots.txt to guide search engine crawlers
- Fixing crawl errors and broken links
- Optimizing page speed and core web vitals
- Ensuring mobile-friendliness
- Implementing HTTPS and secure site architecture
- Managing duplicate content and canonical tags
If your site loads slowly or has a poor structure, technical SEO should be prioritized.
4. Local SEO
Local SEO is crucial for brick-and-mortar businesses seeking to attract local customers. It focuses on optimizing your online presence for location-based searches.
Key local SEO tactics include:
- Creating and optimizing a Google Business Profile
- Getting listed on local directories
- Earning local reviews and managing ratings
- Targeting location-specific keywords
- Publishing content tailored to your community or region
Local SEO ensures your business appears in local map packs and nearby search results, which is crucial for foot traffic and local sales.
Other Important Types of SEO
While the three main categories cover the core SEO foundation, several subcategories play important roles depending on your business model and audience.
5. Mobile SEO
With over 80% of global internet users accessing the web via smartphones, mobile SEO is more important than ever.
Mobile SEO strategies include:
- Responsive design that adapts to various screen sizes
- Fast-loading pages on mobile
- Mobile keyword research and optimization
- User-friendly navigation and interface for smaller screens
Google uses mobile-first indexing, so your mobile performance directly affects your rankings.
6. E-commerce SEO
E-commerce SEO is tailored for online stores and product-based websites. It focuses on optimizing product listings, category pages, and shopping experiences.
Key ecommerce SEO techniques include:
- Optimizing product titles, descriptions, and images
- Creating user-friendly category structures
- Integrating product schema for rich results
- Addressing duplicate content issues across product pages
- Leveraging reviews and Q&A sections
For online retailers, e-commerce SEO drives visibility, traffic, and sales.
7. Image SEO
Images play a crucial role in user engagement and visual search. Image SEO ensures that your visuals are optimized for effective discovery by search engines.
Image SEO best practices:
- Use descriptive file names and alt text
- Compress image file sizes for fast loading
- Add image captions and relevant surrounding content
- Submit an image sitemap.
Optimized images can appear in Google’s image search and enhance content performance.
8. Video SEO
If you produce video content, video SEO helps maximize your reach on platforms like YouTube and in Google search results.
Video SEO tactics include:
- Optimizing video titles, descriptions, and tags
- Adding structured data (VideoObject schema)
- Using transcripts and captions for accessibility
- Embedding videos on relevant website pages
Video SEO increases visibility, engagement, and conversion opportunities.
How to Identify Your SEO Needs
Not all businesses need all types of SEO. Here’s how to assess your current situation:
Do a Content Audit
Use tools like Google Search Console to review which pages are underperforming. Look for high-impression, low-click pages—these may need content improvements or better keyword alignment.
Run a Technical SEO Audit
Start with Google Search Console’s Core Web Vitals report to check for speed, usability, and mobile issues. For deeper insights, use Semrush’s free Site Audit tool to crawl up to 100 pages and identify urgent problems.
Analyze Your Backlink Profile
Use Semrush’s Backlink Audit tool to evaluate your current backlinks. Disavow toxic links and seek new opportunities from high-authority domains. A clean backlink profile improves trust and rankings.
Other Popular Forms of SEO Services Are
Depending on your audit results, here are services you may want to consider:
Link Building
High-quality backlinks are a top-ranking factor. Link-building services may include:
- Publishing PR content
- Conducting outreach campaigns
- Writing guest posts
- Creating share-worthy research or resources
Ask providers about their strategy, link sources, and quality control processes.
Web Design and UX Enhancements
Sometimes SEO improvements require technical or design changes. A web designer or developer might:
- Improve loading speed and mobile responsiveness
- Fix broken site architecture
- Create clean navigation
- Perform full site migrations or redesigns
These changes can significantly impact your SEO and user satisfaction.
Content Marketing
A strong content writing strategy involves:
- Conducting keyword research
- Producing high-quality blog posts and landing pages
- Updating old content for relevance and SEO
- Creating topic clusters and internal links
Content marketing builds trust and attracts qualified traffic organically.
Social Media & Reputation Management
Your brand’s perception also influences search rankings. Online reputation specialists help by:
- Managing reviews on different social media platforms like Google, Trustpilot, or Yelp
- Creating engaging social media content
- Responding to customer feedback
- Promoting your brand through influencers or digital PR
These strategies support your off-page SEO and increase brand awareness.
Which Types of SEO Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick way to determine what kind of SEO work your website might need:
| Problem | Suggested SEO Focus |
| Slow site, errors, poor mobile experience | Technical SEO |
| Great content, but no traffic or links | Off-Page SEO |
| Thin or unoptimized pages | On-Page SEO |
| Poor local visibility | Local SEO |
| Product listings not ranking | E-commerce SEO |
Begin with a complimentary SEO audit using tools like Ubersuggest or Google Search Console, and then prioritize the SEO services that address your most pressing issues.
A successful SEO strategy often involves a blend of on-page, off-page, and technical SEO, along with niche strategies like local or mobile SEO. The right combination depends on your current website performance, industry, goals, and budget.
Whether you’re optimizing your own site or hiring an SEO expert, understanding the different types of SEO gives you a competitive edge in today’s search-driven digital landscape.
Need help identifying what your site needs to rank better?
At DGSOL digital marketing agency UK, we offer tailored SEO strategies that combine technical fixes, content creation, and link-building to drive results. Contact us today for a complimentary audit and consultation.
