To optimize SEO for your WordPress site, follow these steps:

### 1. **Choose an SEO-Friendly Theme**

   - Select a WordPress theme that is optimized for SEO and loads quickly. Many modern themes are built with SEO best practices in mind.

### 2. **Install an SEO Plugin**

   - Use a reputable SEO plugin to manage on-page SEO. Popular options include:

     - **Yoast SEO**

     - **All in One SEO Pack**

     - **Rank Math**

### 3. **Optimize Your Permalinks**

   - Go to **Settings** > **Permalinks** and select a structure that includes the post name (e.g., `/post-name/`). This makes URLs more readable and SEO-friendly.

### 4. **Conduct Keyword Research**

   - Identify relevant keywords for your content using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. 

### 5. **Optimize Page Titles and Meta Descriptions**

   - Use your SEO plugin to set unique, keyword-rich titles and meta descriptions for each page and post.

### 6. **Create High-Quality Content**

   - Write informative, engaging, and original content that provides value to your audience. Incorporate keywords naturally.

### 7. **Use Heading Tags Properly**

   - Structure your content with heading tags (`<h1>`, `<h2>`, `<h3>`, etc.) to improve readability and SEO. Ensure only one `<h1>` tag per page, typically used for the main title.

### 8. **Optimize Images**

   - Compress images to improve page load times and use descriptive file names and alt text. Plugins like Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer can help with image optimization.

### 9. **Improve Page Speed**

   - Enhance site speed by using caching plugins (e.g., WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache), optimizing images, and minimizing HTTP requests.

### 10. **Implement Internal Linking**

   - Link to other relevant pages and posts within your site to help search engines understand the structure and improve user navigation.

### 11. **Build High-Quality Backlinks**

   - Earn backlinks from reputable sites to improve your domain authority. Focus on creating shareable content and reaching out to industry influencers.

### 12. **Ensure Mobile-Friendliness**

   - Use responsive design to ensure your site is mobile-friendly. Most modern WordPress themes are responsive by default.

### 13. **Use Schema Markup**

   - Implement structured data to help search engines understand your content. Plugins like Schema Pro can assist with adding schema markup.

### 14. **Monitor and Analyze Performance**

   - Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your site’s performance, monitor traffic, and identify areas for improvement.

### 15. **Regularly Update Your Site**

   - Keep your content fresh and up-to-date. Regular updates signal to search engines that your site is active.

By following these steps, you can effectively enhance the SEO of your WordPress website and improve your search engine rankings.