Do you want more traffic on your blog?
Then, it’s time to make your articles work harder for you. Quality content isn’t enough. You need to get smart about SEO.
You might have heard that SEO is tough. And it’s true, it takes time. But with the right approach, you can make your blog climb the search rankings and reach the top.
Here’s a simple guide to SEO optimisation that will get you noticed by Google and bring more visitors to your site.
What Is SEO Writing?
It’s all about writing content that gets picked up by search engines like Google. The trick is to create posts that answer questions people are searching for while using the right keywords.
But you can’t just stuff your article with keywords. It has to read well for real people, too.
SEO writing is about striking a balance between pleasing Google’s algorithm and giving your readers valuable information.
Step 1: Find Your Main Keyword
Before you write anything, you need to decide what your article will focus on.
The main keyword is the term people are searching for. It’s the word or phrase that sums up your article and what you want to rank for in Google.
For example, if you’re writing about “B2B Marketing,” that’s your keyword.
But you can’t just pick any keyword and hope for the best. You need to do research.
Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or SemRush to find out what people are actually searching for. Look for keywords that get a good number of searches but aren’t too competitive.
The best keywords are the ones for which you have a realistic chance of ranking.
Step 2: Write for Search Intent
What’s the purpose behind someone’s search?
That’s what search intent is all about.
People search for different reasons. Sometimes they want to buy something. Other times, they’re just looking for information. Your job is to figure out what the person behind the search wants.
Let’s take “B2B Marketing” again.
If someone searches for that, they probably want to learn something. That means their search intent is informational. So, your content needs to give them solid information and tips they can use.
Make sure your article matches the intent behind the keyword. This will help your content rank higher because Google wants to show results that best fit the searcher’s needs.
Step 3: Write a Click-Worthy Title
The title of your article is one of the most important things for SEO.
It’s what makes people click on your article when they see it in search results.
A good title is clear, to the point, and includes your main keyword.
Use numbers or ask a question to grab attention. Keep your title short – around 50-60 characters is ideal. That way, it won’t get cut off in search results.
Think of your title as the first impression your article makes. Make it count.
Step 4: Create an Article Outline
Once you’ve got your title, it’s time to outline your article.
An outline helps you organise your ideas and ensures that your content flows well.
It also helps you plan where to include important elements like questions, links, and key statistics.
Think about how you can structure your article to make it easy to read. Break it up with clear headings and subheadings. Use bullet points or numbered lists when it makes sense.
Having a good outline will make writing the article much easier.
Step 5: Write Engaging Content
Now comes the fun part – writing your article.
Good SEO writing isn’t just about stuffing in keywords. It’s about crafting content that your readers will love.
Make your article easy to read. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Write in a conversational tone. Don’t try to impress your readers with big words – just talk to them like you would in real life.
Your content should provide real value. Answer the reader’s questions and solve their problems. Make sure your article is better than what’s already out there.
If you can create content that your readers love, Google will love it, too.
Step 6: Optimise On-Page SEO
To give your article the best chance of ranking, you need to focus on on-page SEO.
This includes things like:
Adding your keyword to the title and headings
Writing a compelling meta description that encourages people to click
Using short, descriptive URLs
Including internal links to relevant articles on your blog
These small details make it easier for Google to understand what your article is about, which helps it rank better.
Step 7: Don’t Forget Technical SEO
Your blog might have great content, but if your website is slow or hard to navigate, it won’t rank well.
Make sure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly and has a clear structure. You can found out this information with a professional SEO audit.
If your blog takes too long to load, people will leave before they even start reading. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to see where you can improve.
With Google now focusing on mobile-first indexing, your blog needs to look good and work well on smartphones and tablets, too.
Step 8: Build Backlinks
Getting other websites to link to your article is one of the best ways to improve its SEO.
But don’t wait for people to find your blog on their own. You need to actively build backlinks.
One method is broken link building. Find broken links on other sites and offer your article as a replacement. It’s a simple way to get your content noticed and improve your SEO at the same time.
Take it Step By Step
SEO can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s all about taking things step by step.
Find the right keywords. Write engaging content. Optimise your article for on-page and technical SEO. Then, promote your article and build backlinks.
If you do these things consistently, you’ll start to see your blog climb the search rankings and bring in more traffic.
Ready to start optimising? Follow this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to growing your blog’s audience.