SEO or Search Engine Optimization. If you’re a business owner doing business owner online, you’ve heard of it. It’s essential in today’s digital marketing world. But what does it mean, and how can you use it to optimize views on your website blogs?
If you write blogs or online articles, the point is to get your posts seen by as many people as possible. After all, what’s the point of writing if no one is reading? That’s where SEO comes in. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of making your blog posts more visible on Search Engine Results Pages (SERP’s). And when your posts are more visible, more people will find them and are more likely to read them. Sure, you could write and hope people will stumble across your blog post, but why leave things to chance? Utilizing SEO techniques gives your posts a better chance of being seen by those most likely to be interested in what you have to say. How great would it be if every time someone searched for a topic that you’ve written about, your blog post came up right at the top of the search results? That’s the power of SEO!
Now is the time to start if you’re not using SEO in your blog posts. It doesn’t have to be complicated – you can do plenty of simple things to get started. And the more you use SEO, the better you’ll get at it. But first, what exactly is SEO, and how does it help boost your blog posts?
What is SEO and How It Works
SEO is the process of making your blog or website more visible to search engines like Google to build organic traffic. Optimizing your site or blog for relevant keywords can increase your chances of appearing in the top search results for those keywords without having to pay for the spot. Google and other search engines will boost your page to the top of the search results based on keywords in your content that are relevant to the search. For example, let’s say you own a digital marketing agency. If someone searches for “digital marketing help,” you want your site to come up as one of the top results. This is where SEO comes in. Optimizing your site for search engines can increase your chances of ranking higher for relevant keywords and driving traffic to your site.
On-page and Off-page SEO
There are two main ways SEO works, on-page SEO and off-page SEO. On-page SEO works to improve your rankings. Using relevant keywords on your page, especially in titles, and writing high-quality content regularly will help boost your SEO, and thus your visibility. Off-page SEO happens off of your page through backlinks. Backlinks are links to your content from other relevant pages to help search engines verify that you have high-quality content that is helpful or interesting to users. Both of these are key to search engines.
“Create quality content that is useful to users and worthwhile.”
Patience is a Virtue When It Comes to SEO
SEO is vital because it can help you attract more visitors to your business website. This can lead to more traffic, customers, and sales. It’s also important to note that SEO is a long-term strategy. It takes time and effort to see results. However, it’s worth it because a strong SEO campaign can provide your business with a constant stream of new leads and customers.
8 Keys to Optimizing SEO in your Blog
1. Keyword Research
Before you can even think about tackling SEO, you need to do your keyword research. Without relevant keywords, your SEO efforts are going to be for nothing. Search for keywords relevant to your subject or topic and consider intent when doing your research. Remember that search engines work for the user, so they’re trying to pull content relevant to both keywords and the purpose of the search. Your potential customers use search engines to find relevant information to meet their needs. This means you need to create content focused on what they are searching for.
Though it might seem like a lot, keyword research doesn’t have to be complicated.
Use SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner to research keywords and their search volume.
Keep an eye on the competition as you’re researching, too. Some keywords might have a high search volume, but that also means that it will take much longer for your post to rank.
EXAMPLE: Suppose a keyword has a high search volume. Chances are that competitors have already jumped at the opportunity, meaning there will be some well-ranked and long-standing competitors at the top of the search. A better strategy is to look for relevant keywords with a medium to high search volume but lower competition that hit your niche. You might not get as many views initially, but you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the long run!
2. Make your Keywords Visible
If you’re an avid blog reader, you’ve probably noticed that some blogs seem to have a magic touch when it comes to getting their articles to rank high in Google searches. More often than not, the key to their success lies in their use of keywords. By strategically placing keywords throughout their blog posts, they make it easier for both readers and search engines to identify what their article is about. And, of course, the higher your article ranks in search engine results, the more traffic it’s likely to get.
So, how can you ensure your articles are as keyword-friendly as possible?
- Use your titles and subheadings. These are known as Htags. Are your main keywords prominently featured? If not, try to work them in to be more visible.
- Take advantage of the “alt” tags on your images – these are a great place to sneak in some extra keywords.
- Use keywords throughout the body of your article where it makes sense – but beware of overdoing it, or you may be flagged for “keyword stuffing.” A few strategically placed keywords will do the trick.
3. Check Spelling and Grammar Affect SEO
Spelling and grammar affect SEO. When writing content, it’s essential to ensure your blogs are error-free. Spelling and grammar mistakes make you look unprofessional and can also hurt your search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines are designed to index websites based on their content. If your blog is full of errors, it will be marked as unreliable and less likely to appear in search results. Additionally, readers who see errors on your blog are less likely to trust your business, which could lead to lost sales. So, whether you’re writing blog posts or creating product descriptions, take the time to proofread your work before you hit publish. Your bottom line will thank you for it!
4. Quality Over Quantity
When it comes to SEO, quality trumps quantity every time; it doesn’t matter how many blog posts you publish or how long they are if they don’t contain relevant, engaging information that speaks to your target audience. While it is important to have substance to your posts, search engines are ultimately looking for well-written and informative content. Google doesn’t consider length when ranking posts, but rather if the information provided is of high quality and will be relevant to the users. However, keep reading.
5. Blog Post Length
How long should your blog post be? The length of your blog post depends on the topic and the potential reader. A short post may be enough if you’re just sharing a funny story or giving a quick update. But if you’re discussing something more complex, like SEO, you’ll need to write a longer post. After all, there’s a lot that goes into SEO!
Potential readers also play a role in determining blog post length. For example, someone searching for movie reviews is likely looking for a quick read. But someone searching for marketing advice is probably expecting a more in-depth article. So, when it comes to writing a blog post, length matters. Just be sure to tailor your posts to both the topic and the audience.
6. Links
If you’re looking to boost your SEO, one of the best things you can do is focus on link building. Links are part of how search engines determine rankings, and by increasing the number and quality of links on your site, you can boost your SEO.
Internal and External Links
Internal links are links in your blog or website that link to another page under the same domain. These links create a navigation through your website and add prolonged sessions for users. Be selective with internal links and make sure that they provide helpful and relevant information to your readers. External links are links on your page that lead to an external website. Using external links boosts SEO by adding credibility. High-quality links to other articles with a good reputation and adding more value to your content increase your credibility. This is also an excellent way to build connections with other businesses or blog writers in your industry.
7. Keep blog comments
Another way to boost your SEO is to keep your blog comments open. Google indexes blog comments just like it indexes your blog posts and counts comments as part of the content. Of course, it’s not enough to have many comments – they need to be quality comments. So don’t be afraid to moderate your comment section and delete anything spammy or off-topic. And respond to comments. It will help create a sense of community around your blog, and Google will also index any keywords, adding to your SEO.
8. Take a User Experience Approach (UX)
As any business owner knows, there are a lot of moving parts to keep a company up and running. From stocking inventory to keeping the books balanced, something always needs attention. However, one of the most important – and often most overlooked – aspects of business is the user experience. Getting caught up with the backend of creating a blog or website is very easy when trying to optimize SEO and reach as many potential customers as possible. But it’s important to focus on what the end user will experience. Whether offering a product or service or writing a blog, focusing on the user experience will always help you stand out and above the competition. With everything at our fingertips, users will not spend their time or money on something that is not up to their standards. Make your pages as easy as possible to navigate and create content that would be most helpful to your customers. Your customers aren’t professionals in the field, but you are. You know what terms and content will be most beneficial for them, so include plenty of resources, FAQs, and How-tos. Don’t make your customers jump through hoops to give you their business; bring your business to them – it’ll go a long way in solidifying your reputation as a company that cares about its customers.
As anyone in the SEO game will tell you, it’s a constantly changing landscape. What worked last year may not work this year, and what works this year may not work next year. That’s why staying up to date on the latest news and trends is important. There are a few ways to do this:
- Follow some key influencers on social media
- Subscribe to industry-leading blogs
- Attend conferences and meetups for digital marketing, SEO, and your industry
- Connect with other SEO professionals
Pro tip: Make a daily/monthly/annual SEO maintenance checklist
In today’s increasingly connected world, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. At Navarro Creative Group, we offer a variety of services to help businesses with their online presence, including website design and development, SEO, social media management, and more. We are passionate about helping companies to succeed online and have a team of talented professionals who are experts in their respective fields, and we work hard to deliver results that exceed our client’s expectations. If you’re looking for professional help optimizing your SEO to help take your business to the next level, contact us today!
Navarro Creative Group is a digital marketing agency located in Hendersonville, TN, helping businesses throughout the United States with marketing for manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and BtoB companies.
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About the author
Wendy Navarro, CEO
Wendy is the results-driven CEO of Nashville Area Digital Marketing Agency NAVARRO CREATIVE GROUP. Since 2015, she has been helping clients transform business expertise into brand authority by leveraging innovative marketing strategies.
