Almost 57% of marketing executives say that SEO content was the most effective SEO tactic they’ve used. Creating valuable SEO content, however, takes more than just some keywords.
While on-page content is often simplified, it is the cornerstone of organic traffic for a website. Focusing on creating quality content that ranks on search pages is necessary.
These ten tips come in handy when you’re clueless about where to start optimizing!
So, if you’re looking to level up your SEO game, then keep reading!
Go Longer
It’s tempting to write two-paragraph blog posts that are to the point and effortless. After all, in the age of social media, who has the attention span for more?
Google does, and it’s making sure you do too.
If you want to SEO optimize your content, then extend it. A quick study by HubSpot in 2019 showed that the ideal length for a blog post was anywhere between 2100 to 2400 words.
While not every post can be 2300 words long, a general rule is to make the posts longer than 300 words. Even if you’re writing 1500 words, make every word count.
Even if most consumers don’t seem to have the attention span, long-form content makes it easier for Google to understand what the content is all about. And if Google can understand you better, you’re bound to be ranked higher.
Research Your Keywords
When you first start with SEO, you’re told to research your keywords. That advice never stops, and there’s an important reason why.
The right keywords will help your page rank higher. But, they’re also an insight into the mind of your target audience. The better you pick your keywords, the higher you’ll rank on the search page.
Picking the right keywords mainly depends on understanding your target audience. What are they looking for? Why are they searching for this keyword? And what questions are they asking?
It’s an art Au Lit Fine Linens has mastered in their blogs – Between the Sheets.
All their content has keywords geared toward customer search intent. In the case of their usual articles, they’re gearing more towards commercial keywords. They’re promoting their products while providing information.
Even their second ‘blog’ under the Tips and Advice section allows for a different type of search intent to be utilized! In their tips and advice articles, they gear their keywords solely toward informational keywords as there is no product promotion.
SEO Tools
Using SEO tools to write content seems like a no-brainer.
However, they don’t always have to aid with keyword research. SEO tools span over the entire creative and technical process. If you’re looking to create professional content much like what you’d get from a firm like WrittenlyHub, then you’ll need a couple of tools.
Put it simply; they help you identify your target audience, what they’re looking for, and how your competitor is catering to those needs.
Not to mention, tools such as Grammarly also aid you in creating well-structured, quality content that’s crucial for SEO.
Link Away
Whether it’s linking your social media, blog posts, or products, internal links don’t just appease the SEO gods but also lead your consumers deeper into your online presence.
The company Solé Bicycles manages to pull off internal linking without seeming too obvious. Since they create so much visual content on several different platforms, it’s simple to link back to their own content.
You can achieve that type of internal linking without various forms of content – but it’s a plus if you do!
Structured Content is SEO Content
Structuring content isn’t just for aesthetics but dramatically helps with SEO!
It’s not just about how you structure your information, but the more minor details. How are you labeling headings? Are your headlines within the character limit? How small are your paragraphs?
The backend structuring may not seem important to you, but every search engine is looking for it.
Pro Tip: Add a ‘table of contents’ if you want to go all out with structuring.
Readability
Structuring an article also increases its readability. If consumers find your articles easy to skim through, then a search engine definitely will.
Readability is perhaps the most crucial factor to consider when writing.
Whether it’s your short paragraphs, clear headings, short sentences, or zero fluff – all of it counts.
Target Your Target Audience’s Questions
Whether your business is B2B or B2C, every consumer has questions. When they have questions, they will go to the internet. It’s up to you to provide content that answers these questions!
It’s not only about adding value to your customer’s life but catering to SEO.
Take Etsy’s Blog as the perfect example. They know what their customer wants – art-based content.
From learning how to make ice-creams to fun evening ideas – Etsy caters to their audience. They create content based on keyword research and the artsy theme they’re so well-known for!
Call To Action Every Time
If you haven’t already heard it, then listen to it now – you need a CTA.
SEO content is incredible because it guides the consumer every step of the way. From anticipating their needs to pushing a sale, SEO content gently pushes the consumer through every step of the journey, and a CTA is an essential part of that journey.
When you provide great content, also provide the consumer with a way to get to know you better. The Officevibe Blog adds a prominent email subscription option at the bottom of all their articles!
Provide Promised Content
Long-Form content is essential to SEO writing, but it doesn’t always have to be a fluff piece.
If you’re going into great depths about a topic, taking time out to create a helpful infographic can do wonders for your SEO ranking.
Consider the Wldfwrs does exactly this on their blog posts. If they’re not using infographics, they’re providing shorter content that is to the point and providing what was promised in the title.
Click baiting is out!
Quality Content is SEO Content
With all the tips and tricks you learn along the way, there’s one tip every professional firm like WrittenlyHub will give you – quality matters most.
Don’t stuff keywords into an article if you have to compromise on grammar. Similarly, don’t try to make articles longer if it’s not adding value.
After all, no matter how many keywords you use, it’s not SEO content if the content isn’t of exceptional quality.
Wrapping Up
There are multiple tips to make the SEO process simpler and more effective. All the tricks mentioned here – from researching keywords to using a CTA – come down to pleasing a search engine and making things easier for your customer. There’s no big secret, just a few tips.
With these ten tips in the back of your mind, you’re bound to push all your SEO content past the tipping point and straight into your customer’s eager laps!