To optimize a WordPress site for SEO, there are several steps you can take:

1. Choose a SEO-friendly theme: Selecting a theme that is built with SEO best practices in mind can give your site a head start. Look for themes that are lightweight, responsive, and have clean code.
2. Optimize your permalinks: Permalinks are the URLs of your site's pages and posts. To make them SEO-friendly, go to the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings > Permalinks, and select the "Post name" option. This will create URLs that include relevant keywords.
3. Install an SEO plugin: Plugins like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack can help you optimize your site further. They provide features like XML sitemaps, meta tag optimization, and social media integration, making it easier to improve your site's SEO.
4. Optimize your content: Ensure your content is well-written, informative, and keyword-rich. Use heading tags (<h1>, <h2>, etc.) to structure your content and make it easier for search engines to understand. Additionally, include relevant keywords in your titles, headings, and throughout your content.
5. Optimize your images: Compress your images to reduce their file size without compromising quality. Use descriptive file names and alt attributes to provide search engines with more information about your images. For example, instead of "IMG123.jpg," use something like "best-wordpress-seo-practices.jpg."
6. Improve site speed: Site speed is an important SEO factor. Optimize your site's performance by using caching plugins, minimizing CSS and JavaScript files, and optimizing your database.
7. Build high-quality backlinks: Backlinks from reputable and relevant websites can significantly improve your site's SEO. Reach out to other website owners or bloggers in your niche and request backlinks. Additionally, create valuable content that others will naturally want to link to.

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, and it takes time to see results. Stay up to date with the latest SEO best practices and continue optimizing your WordPress site to improve its visibility in search engine rankings.

For more information on WordPress SEO optimization, you can refer to the following resources:

• Yoast SEO
• All in One SEO Pack
• Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO