As a solopreneur running your own WordPress website, you know by now ( from my previous post) that “SEO matters.” But let’s be honest—search engine optimization can feel overwhelming when you’re doing everything in your business. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard! All you really need is one powerful SEO plugin for WordPress: Yoast SEO. Alternatives are Rank Math or All in One SEO.
Why Yoast SEO?
Yoast has been around for years and is trusted by millions of WordPress users. I like the tips it provides and having a built-in SEO coach that guides you through the basics—no jargon, no complicated code. Just simple instructions for what to fix really works to help improve your SEO scores.
With Yoast, you can:
- Write titles and meta descriptions that attract clicks.
- Add keywords naturally into your content.
- See a “traffic light” system that tells you if your post is SEO-friendly.
- Automatically create an XML sitemap (so Google can index your site).
- Set up social sharing previews for Facebook and Twitter.
- Instead of guessing, you’ll know exactly what’s working and what needs a quick fix.
How to Set Up Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress in 3 Simple Steps
Install the Plugin
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “Yoast SEO,” click Install Now, then Activate.
Run the Configuration Wizard
Once activated, Yoast offers a step-by-step setup wizard. It will ask you about your site type (e.g., blog, online shop, portfolio) and your main goals. Just answer the questions—no coding required.
Optimize Your Content
When writing a new post, scroll down to the Yoast SEO box. Add your focus keyword (remember, it’s the term someone uses to find what you offer), edit the meta description (to display your intro), and follow the suggestions to tweak your content. Whether it’s to add ALT tags to images or add more keywords to your content, the suggestions are very straight forward and will be updated by Yoast. Items that were red may change colors. Aim for a “green light,” but don’t stress if you get yellow—it’s still good!
Final Thoughts
SEO doesn’t have to be scary. With Yoast SEO for WordPress (or another plugin you prefer), you’ll have everything you need to get your website seen—without drowning in complexity. One plugin, simple setup, big results. I have used other plugins, but notice that most website owners prefer the simplicity that make SEO less overwhelming than they first expect. I don’t get paid to recommend this plugin, but I urge you to give it a try, it’s really that easy!
Questions? Let me know in the Comments or via the Contact page.