If you’re a budding blogger looking to grow your audience, understanding the difference between good and great SEO (search engine optimization) is what will make your content stand out in the crowd.
The complex Google algorithm that determines how highly a website ranks upon a search can be tough to get a grip on. If you’re determined not to hire an experienced copywriter to do the hard work for you, we have the tips and tricks you need to make your blog a resounding success.
Think of Google’s algorithm as a raffle. Each ticket you have increases your chances of winning, or in this case, having someone click on your site. The tickets in this analogy are the key elements of SEO that you incorporate into your work; the more you utilize, the more successful your posts will be.
So here are six SEO tips you should absolutely not ignore.
Understanding where your traffic is coming from is crucial to SEO success.
1. Nail The Keywords
SEO services such as Google AdWords and SEMrush allow you to research which keywords are best used for any given topic. These services are a great starting point for content creators looking to get the most out of their keywords. In-depth statistics and keyword analytics allow you to make an informed decision on what would work best for your site.
Include your key phrase in the header, domain name, description, tagline – pretty much anywhere you can. Finding a small number of related keywords should also be considered, as overloading your writing with one single phrase can have the opposite effect and become a distraction. Incorporate them organically!
2. Be Consistent And Persevere
Two of the primary factors Google look for when compiling search results is age and content quantity. Unfortunately, no matter how impressive your site’s content is, the harsh reality is that if it’s a relatively new startup, it’s unlikely to generate much interest from search engine algorithms.
Google look for consistency over time, and, yes, we’re talking years. If you can upload a consistent number of posts each week, and keep the content coming for a considerable period of time, the more likely your site is to appear on search results. The indexed age of your site is out of your hands, but keeping to a healthy schedule is not.
3. Focus On Quality Over Quantity
Your content must be distinguished. It must aim to stay in the minds of those who read it long after they’re through. Putting up multiple posts every single day is irrelevant if no one’s interested enough to click on them. If you believe it’s worth reading, so will your audience.
Becoming an expert in Google’s SEO algorithms is one thing, but writing something that matters is another. Your writing needs to be noteworthy; if all you care about is traffic numbers, your audience will be able to tell. Engagement levels drive audience growth; get someone to read every word of a blog post you wrote, and chances are they’ll get someone else to do the same.
Always keep an eye on what your competitors are doing to pick up new SEO tips.
4. Look At The Competition
As you open up your internet browser to research the most engaging SEO keywords for your business, examining your competition should be your very next step. Google keywords and phrases, see what comes up, and click around to see what your competition is providing your potential audience.
As you jump from site to site, take notes about what your competition is doing. What are they missing? Can you provide something not found on similar websites/blogs? These questions will be invaluable in shaping your blog and the content housed within.
5. Write Long, And Like A Human
Upon searching Google for a desired topic, the vast majority of results on the first page will all be articles more than 2,000 words in length. While it isn’t advised to go overboard and write novellas every time you update your blog, making the posts that you do put out a considerable length will gather further search results.
The quality of the content should always come first – don’t ramble just to hit a word count. Find your voice and be consistent with it; if an audience is to become engaged with your work, the personality you put behind it will be a major factor in that. No one wants to read a thin blog post with no real substance that seems to have been written by a robot.
6. Incorporate Credible External Links
A significant reliance of Google’s SEO is a post’s implementation of external links – with a lower number from noteworthy sources being far more lucrative than a myriad from unknown sites. And if you’re making a specific argument within your work, back it up with facts from a reliable source.
Linking to your previous work is certainly encouraged, but if your work has ever been noticed by a third-party outlet, including a link from an authority domain is a great way to increase recognition. Building a high-quality link profile will not only set you up for future articles, but will encourage a greater number of people to pay attention.
These six tips certainly aren’t everything you need to know about SEO, but if you follow these steps you’ll find yourself well ahead of your competitors. Write well, and your audience is guaranteed to grow.
