How to SEO Your Blog Posts

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO is essential for improving the visibility of your blog posts on search engines like Google. Here is our outline on how you need to SEO your blog posts for ranking in SERPs – Search Engine Ranking Pages.

1. Keyword Research

Start by identifying the right keywords for your blog post. These are the words or phrases that you know and have identified as the keywords that your target audience is searching for and thereby the most important keywords to your website for traffic, clicks and ultimately leads.

We recommend that you start with 10-20 prioritised keywords on your main website services and products offering and work from there on the following:

• Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, especially very simple to use if you already have a Google Ads account and campaigns running for your website. You already have a wealth of data to use and work with. There are lots of other tools that we would recommend such as ahrefs, SE Ranking, etc.
• SEO Tools will give you the search ranking on all prioritized keywords. Look for a balance between search volume (how many people search for it) and competition (how hard it is to rank for that term).
• Target long-tail keywords (more specific, longer phrases) as more unique to your business’ offering, after and further down your prioritised keywords list, with that they have less competition and possibly less search volume, up to you to decide on the prioritization of each and all. Lower hanging fruit as such.

2. Craft a Compelling Title

The title is one of the first things both search engines and users see. Make sure it’s:

• Keyword-rich: Include your main keyword in the title.
• Compelling: Use action words or numbers to make the title more engaging.
• Under 60 characters: So it doesn’t get cut off in search results.

3. Use Keywords Naturally in Your Content

Incorporate your main keyword and related phrases throughout your blog post:

• First 100 words: Try to mention the keyword early in your post, ideally within the first paragraph.
• Throughout the content: Use it naturally and avoid keyword stuffing.
• Synonyms and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) Keywords: Use related terms and variations of your main keyword.

4. Optimize the Meta Description

The meta description appears below your title in search results. Make it:

• Under 155-160 characters.
• Include your main keyword and a call to action.
• Write a description that entices readers to click, while providing a clear idea of what the post is about.

5. Use Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.)

Header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) help structure your content for both search engines and readers.

• H1 should be reserved for your blog post title.
• H2 for main section titles (and incorporate secondary keywords where relevant).
• H3 for sub-sections within those main sections.

6. Optimize for Readability

Readable content ranks better. Follow these tips:

• Short paragraphs: Aim for 3-4 sentences per paragraph.
• Use bullet points and lists: They make content easier to digest.
• Subheadings: Help break up the content for easier navigation.
• Keep sentences concise: Avoid long, complex sentences.

7. Use Internal and External Links

• Internal links: Link to other relevant posts on your own blog. This helps with SEO and keeps users on your site longer.
• External links: Link to high-authority, trustworthy sources. This shows search engines that you’re referencing credible information.

8. Optimize Images

• Alt text: Describe your images in detail with your keyword or related keywords. This helps search engines understand the image. As a basis of this – describe the image to a person who can’t see it.
• File size: Compress images to ensure they load quickly. Slow load times can hurt SEO. There are loads of WordPress tools for this such as Smush.
• Descriptive filenames: Name your image files with relevant keywords. General rule of thumb is to describe the image same as the title where possible and as close as also where possible and most relevant.

10. Increase Page Speed

A fast-loading website is crucial for both user experience and SEO. Some tips to improve speed:

• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to distribute content faster.
• Minimize HTTP requests by reducing the number of elements on your page (scripts, images, etc.).
• Compress images and files.
• Consider using lazy loading for images so they load only when they come into view.

11. Engage Your Audience (Reduce Bounce Rate)

Engagement signals help with SEO:

• Encourage comments and interaction (ask questions at the end of your posts).
• Use social share buttons to make it easy for people to share your content.
• Ensure your content answers the user’s query in depth, which will encourage them to stay on the page longer.

12. Share Your Blog Post

Once published, share your blog post across your social media channels, email newsletters, or any other platforms where your audience engages.

• Social sharing: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
• Email marketing: Send it to your email list.

13. Monitor Performance

Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your blog’s performance.

• Google Analytics will show how much traffic your post is getting, bounce rates, and time spent on the page.
• Google Search Console will help you track your rankings and index status, and identify any crawl errors.

14. Update Old Content

SEO isn’t just about new content. If you have older posts, update them with fresh, relevant information, and optimize them according to current SEO standards. It’s more about repurposing old content again where possible. If you find older content that just isn’t relevant anymore feel free to delete and trash as a means to keeping your overall content of your website new and fresh, sometimes it’s for the best to let it go!

15. Use Yoast for WordPress tool for page and blog post SEO where possible. Still really easy to use as probably a pre-cursor to Ai’ing your content. It’s still amazingly easy to use as a simple process for SEO’ing your posts asap.

16. Be Unique: Impart Wisdom!

Keep your blog post interesting, helpful, be an authority on what your blog post and website offering is about, share your knowledge as knowledge is always helpful, be a trusted source,  grow from the experience and keep doing it!

In Summary:

1. Keyword research is critical.
2. Write compelling, keyword-optimized titles and meta descriptions.
3. Use header tags, optimize images, and ensure mobile-friendliness.
4. Optimize for user experience (readability, speed, engagement).
5. Share your content and monitor performance.
6. Share your unique knowledge that’s helpful to others!

By consistently following these SEO practices, you’ll improve your chances of ranking higher in search results and attracting more readers to your blog.