Sara Does SEO Podcast - Wedding SEO Podcast for Wedding Pros, Photographers, and Creatives by Sara

For years, there’s been this belief that you have to be on WordPress to rank well on Google. I’ve been working in SEO for over a decade now, and I’ve heard this same advice over and over. So how much truth is there to this? Do you have to be on WordPress for the best rankings in the wedding industry? Let's talk about it. If you’ve ever felt pressured to switch your website just for SEO, this episode is for you.What I cover:- The long-standing belief that you need WordPress to rank and where it comes from- What we found in our study of 100+ high-ranking wedding websites across different platforms- Why general SEO agencies often push WordPress- The real factors that impact your rankings beyond your platform- Why I want you to choose a platform you can actually use and maintain confidently- My experience working with WordPress, Showit, Squarespace, Wix, and moreResources mentioned:- Sara Does SEO Website Platform Study: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-tips/what-website-platform-ranks-best-for-seo/ Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Before you spend money on an SEO audit, this is worth hearing.I get asked all the time if we offer SEO audits — and my answer is always no, for a really intentional reason.In this episode, I walk through what changed for me after years of offering audits, what I started noticing about client results (or lack of them), and why I ultimately shifted to a completely different approach.This shift was about moving from information overload to actual progress. I'd love to tell you more about it so you can think hard about if an SEO audit is what you REALLY need.What I cover:- Why I used to require SEO audits for every client — and what changed- What usually happens when clients receive a giant audit document- The biggest problem with paying for “a pile of problems” without solutions- The moment that shifted how I think about SEO services- Why I created the SEO Fix instead — and how it’s different from an audit- When I do still recommend an SEO audit (even though I don’t offer them)How we can help:🔧 The SEO Fix: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Calling all competitive people... 😉 If you’ve ever checked your rankings and felt frustrated that someone in particular is showing up above you, this is a must-listen.In this episode, I'm walking through how to look at those higher-ranking pages a little more strategically. Because at a certain point, ranking higher isn't about doing more random SEO tasks — it’s about understanding what Google is responding to and adjusting from there.We’re getting into more intermediate-level SEO here, focusing on how to evaluate your content, your competitors, and what might need to shift to move up in the rankings.What I cover:- When it actually makes sense to start doing competitive research (and when it doesn’t yet)- The first question I always ask (which is about people, not technical setup) - Why content depth and word count can impact rankings (especially for competitive keywords)- What website authority is and how it affects your ability to compete- The two main areas to focus on if you’re consistently being outrankedResources mentioned:- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/- My Showit SEO Blog Post Example: https://saradoesseo.com/seo-basics/showit-seo-review/- Ahrefs Backlink Checker: https://ahrefs.com/backlink-checker- SEMrush Website Authority Checker: https://semrush.sjv.io/5kjzmjYour Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!*The link above to SEMRush is an affiliate link, and we may make a commission if you make a purchase after using this link.

Sometimes, when your inbox seems quieter than you'd like, the doubts start to creep in: “Things feel slow… did I mess up my SEO? My traffic must have gone down... right?” In this episode, I walk through how to actually figure out whether your traffic is down… or if it just feels that way. Because those are two very different situations.We’re zooming out, looking at your data the right way, and asking questions before jumping to conclusions. And if something has changed, I’ll show you exactly how I investigate what’s going on.What I cover:- Why “things feel slow” doesn’t automatically mean your traffic is down- The difference between month-to-month vs. year-over-year data (and why it matters so much)- The seasonal patterns I consistently see in wedding industry traffic- How to identify which traffic source (SEO, social, direct) actually dropped- How to use page-level data to pinpoint what content lost traffic- Why some traffic drops aren’t worth fixing (and how to decide)Resources mentioned:- Google Analytics: https://analytics.google.com/- Google Search Console: https://search.google.com/search-console- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO is the waste-no-time SEO course and coaching program for wedding business owners who want to get found on Google and in AI search tools like ChatGPT—without feeling overwhelmed by all the moving parts.It’s designed specifically for wedding pros, so everything inside is tailored to how couples actually search for planners, photographers, venues, officiants, DJs, and more. You’re not sorting through generic advice trying to make it fit your business— you’re getting strategies that already make sense for the wedding industry!If you’ve heard me mention Wedding SEO Bootcamp and found yourself wondering what it actually is, this episode will give you a clear picture of exactly how Wedding SEO Bootcamp works and what’s inside.I walk you through the structure, how it’s evolved over the years, and why I’ve intentionally built it to focus on taking action (not learning SEO theory) so you can get results and move on with your life.This is the behind-the-curtain of what I truly believe is the best SEO course a wedding pro could invest in.Check out Wedding SEO Bootcamp here: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/Contact us with any questions here: https://saradoesseo.com/contact/What I cover:- How Wedding SEO Bootcamp started and how it’s evolved since 2019- What’s included inside the four core modules (keywords, website optimization, blogging, and off-site SEO)- My “fill in the blank” method for optimizing pages without overcomplicating things- Why blogging is such a powerful part of SEO (and the only strategies I recommend focusing on)- How off-site SEO and your Google Business Profile impact your visibility- What the optional coaching component includes (office hours, hot seats, and community support)Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

It’s one of the biggest questions I get about blogging for SEO — how often do you actually need to do it?I think a lot of the hesitation around blogging comes from feeling like you’re signing up for something you have to do consistently, forever.In this episode, I explain why that’s not really how blogging for SEO works, especially in the wedding industry. I share what actually moves the needle, what I’ve seen over years of client data, and why consistency isn’t the requirement people think it is.If blogging has been feeling like a chore you’re avoiding, this might take a lot of the pressure off!What I cover:- Why blogging isn't an “ongoing chore”- What actually matters more than consistency when it comes to ranking on Google- A real client example of blog post traffic- My realistic recommendation for how often wedding pros should blogHow we can help:🔧 Content Intensives for wedding pros (start with the SEO Fix!): https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Can you actually use ChatGPT to write your blog posts… and have them rank?The answer is yes—but there’s a right way to approach it if you want your content to be helpful, original, and worth showing on Google.In this episode, I’m sharing four clear guidelines to help you use AI in a way that supports your SEO instead of hurting it. This is a must-listen if you want to use AI tools to help you write content for SEO.What I cover:- How Google evaluates content using expertise, experience, authority, and trust- What makes a strong, detailed prompt- Why you need to edit AI-generated content- Why publishing too much AI content too quickly can raise red flags with Google- What to keep in mind to make sure your blog posts are genuinely helpful to your ideal clientsRecommended Episodes:- Episode 13: Does Google Hate AI-Generated Content?Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I’ve heard it more than once: “experts” saying that Google will detect AI-written content on your website and punish you for it. Is it true? Does AI content hurt your SEO? Let’s clear it up in this episode. Google has been very open about how they view AI-generated content… and I bet it will surprise you!In this episode, I walk through what Google’s guidelines actually say about AI content and what really matters if you’re creating content with the help of AI tools.What I cover:- Is it true? Does Google penalize AI content?- What Google’s guidelines actually say about AI-generated content- What EEAT (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness) really means for your blog posts- A real experiment I ran using a fully AI-generated blog post for a wedding venue client- Why low-quality mass AI content can still create SEO problemsResources Mentioned:- Google's AI Search Article: https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2023/02/google-search-and-ai-contentYour Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

If you’ve ever thought, “Do I REALLY have to blog to make SEO work?” — you're not the only one trying to avoid it 😉Blogging is no one’s favorite task, especially when you’re running a busy wedding business. But there’s a big difference between blogging just to "put stuff on your website"… and blogging strategically to get more ideal clients to your website.In this episode, I’m walking you through why I recommend blogging, what it actually does for your SEO, and whether you can rank without it. Because yes, it’s possible, but there are a lot of reasons I still encourage it!What I cover:- The biggest misconception about WHY you should blog for SEO- Why blogging isn’t about stuffing the same keyword everywhere- How strategic blog posts help you get found in more searches- Real examples of venue, location, and planning searches that bring in additional traffic- What happens when your website is only five pages and no blogResources mentioned:- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

“What website platform do you recommend for SEO?” I get this question at almost every Q&A I do.Over the years, my team and I have ranked websites on Showit, Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Webflow, and Pixieset. Which one should you choose? Let’s talk about it. In this episode, I’m sharing what our study revealed about top-ranking wedding websites, and how to choose a platform that makes sense for you.What I cover:- The most common website platforms ranking in competitive wedding markets- What our study of 100+ top-ranking wedding websites revealed- Should you switch platforms for better SEO?- What to focus on if your site isn’t reaching page oneResources mentioned:- Our Website Platform Study: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-tips/what-website-platform-ranks-best-for-seo/- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

If you’ve ever hired (or considered hiring) a web designer and just assumed SEO would be part of the package… we need to talk.One of the most common (and most dangerous) assumptions wedding pros make is: “I’m sure my web designer knows about SEO. They're making my website!” I totally understand why that feels logical, but unfortunately, it's not the reality.In this episode, I walk you through what you NEED to know if you're hiring a web designer. I'll guide you through questions to ask and how to know if you're actually getting a good SEO setup. Don't worry— we'll make sure your SEO is covered in a redesign!What I cover:- Why most web designers don’t include strategic SEO (and why that can actually be OK)- Real examples of redesign decisions that can tank rankings- The exact SEO question I want you to ask before hiring a designer- How redesigns can actually improve rankings when handled properlyResources mentioned:- Five Questions to Ask Your Web Designer About SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/website-tips/questions-to-ask-web-designer-about-seo/- Rank for Revenue: https://saradoesseo.com/rank-for-revenue- SEO Fix service for website redesigns: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/Recommended Episodes:- Episode 1: My Origin Story in SEOYour Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

If you’ve been thinking about a website redesign but keep wondering, “Is this going to mess up my SEO?” ... that's a super valid concern.Website redesign season always brings up a lot of nerves, especially if Google is already sending you traffic and inquiries. Because, unfortunately, a website redesign done wrong can cause SEO problems.In this episode, I walk through when a redesign actually puts your SEO at risk— and when it really doesn’t matter at all. I also share the biggest mistakes I see wedding pros make during redesigns, plus the one thing I always recommend doing to protect your rankings before you launch!If SEO is already working for you, listen to this before you start planning that big website overhaul.What I cover:- When a website redesign can tank your SEO — and when you don’t need to worry about it- Why breaking URLs during a redesign is one of the fastest ways to lose rankings- The danger of deleting pages or blog posts- What to consider before going "more minimal" with your site's written text- The one thing I always recommend doing before launching a redesigned siteHow we can help:🔧 The SEO Fix + Redesign Rescue service for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I've always said "SEO results take time. Have patience and keep doing the work!" (I'm a broken record, I guess). But recently, a student made me take a big pause when she asked "Ok, but... WHY does SEO take time?" I loved this question!If you’ve ever wondered why SEO can feel instant for one business and painfully slow for another, this episode will help clarify it, using real examples.I’m sharing two real student stories from Wedding SEO Bootcamp that show why SEO timelines aren’t one-size-fits-all.Let's talk about what’s actually happening behind the scenes with Google and why patience is often the most important part of SEO success. ✨What I cover:- Why how long SEO takes can vary so much from one business to another- How Google actually notices (and processes) changes to your website- The difference between fast SEO wins and long-term growth- What to focus on when your rankings feel stuckResources mentioned:- Google Search Console: https://search.google.com/search-console/- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I get asked this question all the time: “I’m starting a new thing… should I put it on its own website? Or keep it on the website I have?”In my 7 years working with wedding pros, I've seen a lot of excited business owners create new brands and websites for associate teams, corporate events, podcasts, courses, coaching, micro weddings, elopement services, etc... without realizing the work they're creating from an SEO & marketing perspective.In this episode, I’m sharing coaching I gave inside our Wedding SEO Bootcamp community and walking you through what actually happens when you launch a brand-new brand and website for your "new thing." If you’re thinking about launching a new offer, this one will help you choose the smartest next step (and hopefully save you some time, money, and frustration).What I cover:- Why new brands are so slow to rank (even if your SEO is “done right”)- How Google views new domains vs. established businesses- The hidden marketing workload that comes with running multiple brands- When it does make sense to consider a separate website- My recommended “baby step” approach for launching something newResources mentioned:- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

If you’ve ever done some SEO tweaks and then wondered, “Okay… but how do I actually know if it's actually working?” you’re not alone. I hear this question all the time, and it usually comes with a lot of frustration and second-guessing.In this episode, I talk through a real DM conversation that sparked this topic. I explain why relying only on that "full inbox feeling" can make SEO progress feel discouraging.We’re zooming out and looking at what progress actually looks like, what to track along the way, and how to know whether you’re moving in the right direction.What I cover:- Why inquiries alone aren’t the best way to judge whether your SEO is working- The workout analogy I use to explain SEO progress and expectations- The three metrics we track monthly inside my SEO agency- How to track keyword rankings without Googling yourself- What organic traffic and impressions tell you about your visibility- Why tracking inquiries with data (not vibes) really mattersResources mentioned:- Ubersuggest: https://saradoesseo.com/ubersuggest**This is an affiliate link, so I may earn commission. Please note that I always recommended Ubersuggest to my students because it's an affordable tool to get started with.- SEO Edge: http://seoedgeapps.com/- Google Search Console: https://search.google.com/search-console/- Google Analytics: https://analytics.google.com/Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

So many business owners say to me: "I tried SEO, but I just don't get it. It's hard and techy... and it's just not for me."In this episode, I slow things down and talk honestly about why learning SEO absolutely can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially for wedding pros who have already “tried it before".I share the patterns I see over and over again, including the mistakes I made myself when I was trying to piece everything together on my own.More importantly, I walk you through what actually makes SEO feel calmer, clearer, and more doable.If you’ve ever felt like SEO just isn’t clicking for you, this conversation is meant to help you find the way forward to make it work.What I cover:- Why listening to too many SEO voices at once makes everything feel harder- How learning SEO without a clear order creates overwhelm and confusion- What changed for me when I finally learned SEO step by step- Why SEO looks different depending on your type of business and website- Why tracking your progress matters more than you might thinkResources mentioned:- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/- Rank for Revenue: https://saradoesseo.com/rank-for-revenue- Google Search Console: https://search.google.com/search-console/Recommended Episodes:- Episode 4: Where do I START with SEO?- Episode 1: Sara, Why Are You So Obsessed with SEO?? (How I Got Started)Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice from blogs, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook groups, and "that guy" who says he knows SEO, this episode is for you!I slow everything down and walk you through what I consider square one of wedding SEO — the one step that gives you the biggest impact.We’re focusing on clarity, not perfection, and starting in a place that actually makes sense when SEO feels intimidating. You don’t need to do everything at once to start seeing traction!What I cover:- Why SEO feels so overwhelming at first (and how to dip a toe in with clarity)- ​Why I always recommend starting with your homepage- How to choose a homepage keyword that represents your location and service- The tradeoff between being specific vs. going more general with location keywords- The exact places I recommend using your keyword on your homepage- How homepage optimization helps Google clearly understand what you doResources mentioned:- One Hour SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/1hour-seo/- Ubersuggest (SEO keyword research tool): https://saradoesseo.com/ubersuggest**This is an affiliate link, so I may earn commission. Please note that I always recommended Ubersuggest to my students because it's an affordable tool to get started with.Your Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I know AI search and ChatGPT recommendations are THE hot topic right now.  So let's talk about it!In this episode, I get tactical on what I've discovered through hundreds of test AI searches in the wedding industry.  We'll talk about why some wedding pros are getting recommended by ChatGPT and what AI tools are looking for from your business if you want to show up.If you’ve been wondering whether you need to overhaul your SEO strategy in 2026 or if what you’re already doing still counts, give this a listen!  What I cover:- Why traditional SEO setup is still essential — even for AI-based tools like ChatGPT- How couples are actually using AI search to find wedding vendors- Why clear written website content matters more than ever for AI recommendations- How explaining what makes you different helps AI tools compare and recommend vendors- Why FAQs are incredibly helpful for AI search and the sales process- The growing importance of brand mentions (not just backlinks) in AI optimizationResources mentioned:- Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ - Get Found on ChatGPT workshop inside Wedding SEO BootcampRecommended Episodes:- Episode 2: Wedding SEO in 2026: Is it All Changing?Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I keep hearing the same question over and over again — what’s going on with wedding SEO in 2026?  I get why it feels confusing! With clickbait headlines, AI panic, and people declaring that “Google is dead,” it’s easy to feel unsure about the future of SEO.In this episode, I slow everything down and talk through what I’m actually seeing inside wedding business SEO day in and day out. I share what has changed, what’s staying the same, and why the wedding industry is very different from a lot of the examples being used to scare people online. What I cover:- Why people keep saying SEO is “dead” (and why that narrative isn’t new)- How AI tools like ChatGPT are impacting some industries — but not wedding SEO in the same way- The difference between traffic that looks good on paper and traffic that actually leads to inquiries- The shift I’m recommending for how wedding pros blog in 2026- What wedding SEO success will really look like heading into 2026Your Next Steps:👉Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @SaraDoesSEO

I finally did it — I started the podcast!! 🎉 And in this very first episode, I’m sharing why hitting “record” felt so weirdly hard, even after years of teaching SEO online. I talk honestly about the mental blocks I had, what finally unlocked this idea for me, and why I decided this podcast would be built around answering real SEO questions instead of trying to be entertaining for the sake of it. I also answer the question I get asked all the time: why am I so obsessed with SEO, and how did I even get started? This episode is equal parts backstory, mindset shift, and a little pep talk if you’ve ever felt intimidated by SEO (or starting something new!).What I cover:- Why starting this podcast felt harder than teaching, guesting, or going live- The “aha” moment that led me to build this podcast around SEO questions- How I stumbled into SEO through web design and digital marketing- The turning point where SEO finally clicked for me as a process- Why I think SEO is both creative and analytical — and why that’s what makes it funYour Next Steps:👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Welcome to the Sara Does SEO Podcast—your go-to show for making search engine optimization feel simple, fun, and totally doable.I’m Sara Dunn, and I’m here to help wedding pros like photographers, planners, and venues show up on Google and AI tools like ChatGPT—without getting overwhelmed with the tech.On this show, I’ll break down what’s working right now, what’s not worth your energy, and how to start getting found by the right couples online.Since I love being a business owner, we might even dip our toes into online business, marketing strategy, and any other geeky topics beyond SEO that are on my radar.Let’s make SEO your business’s new secret weapon. This is the Sara Does SEO Podcast.