Newbie Question, I Do not understand how/what to optimize in a page for a website to rank

Greetings everyone at r/SEO! I have been working in the field of SEO for the past 13 months, but I am struggling to grasp the concept of on-page optimization, particularly when it comes to integrating keywords into a homepage with a significant amount of content. As a self-taught web developer and programmer, I am comfortable with technical SEO tasks such as performance optimizations and fixing page errors. However, I consistently encounter difficulties with on-page SEO once the technical issues are resolved. I am seeking advice from experts on how to effectively optimize on-page content, especially in terms of keyword integration and determining primary keywords. I also have questions about when metadata should be created in relation to on-page optimization. As someone who learns best visually and appreciates instant results, I am hoping to receive guidance on how to effectively execute on-page optimization strategies.

On-page optimization is the process of optimizing individual web pages to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). It involves a variety of techniques, including keyword research, content optimization, and technical SEO.

Keyword research is the process of identifying the keywords that people are using to search for information related to your website. You can use a variety of tools to conduct keyword research, including Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Semrush. Once you have identified a list of relevant keywords, you need to integrate them into your website’s content in a natural and relevant way.

Content optimization is the process of creating high-quality, relevant content that is optimized for search engines. This involves using your target keywords throughout your content, including in the title tag, headings, and body text. It is important to create content that is valuable to your target audience and that meets their needs.

Technical SEO is the process of optimizing your website for technical factors that can affect your search engine rankings. This includes things like site speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data. You can use a variety of tools to audit your website for technical SEO issues.

Metadata is information about a web page that is not displayed on the page itself but is used by search engines to understand the content of the page. This includes things like the title tag, meta description, and alt text for images. It is important to create metadata that is accurate and relevant to the content of your page.

Primary keywords are the keywords that are most important to your website’s overall ranking. You should focus on integrating your primary keywords into your website’s content, including in the title tag, headings, and body text. It is important to choose primary keywords that are relevant to your website’s content and that are likely to be searched for by your target audience.

It’s important to remember that on-page optimization is an ongoing process. You should regularly review your website’s content and make updates as needed to ensure that it is still relevant and optimized for search engines.