5 Actionable Steps To Write SEO-Friendly Blog Posts
SEO is like cooking
Easy to get started. Nearly impossible to master.
And there’s no better place to cut your teeth than with blog posts. Much of what you learn can be applied sitewide. So how do you write SEO-friendly blog posts? Put these five steps into action.
1. Choose A Singular Keyword
A keyword is the specific phrase you are targeting. When someone types it into a search engine, you want your blog post to appear as high as possible.
Although it's tempting to target everything all at once, the rule of thumb is one keyword per blog post. It’s possible to have secondary keywords, but don’t divide your focus. Those additional keywords can be a topic in the future.
To find the right keywords, it helps to have robust SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush. But these tools come with a high monthly cost. A more budget-friendly solution is KWFinder, a stripped-down platform that focuses exclusively on keywords. But if you’re willing to do a bit more of the legwork yourself, there are multiple free options at your fingertips:
Google (look at the People also ask and Related searches sections)
2. Add The Keyword To Key Places
Now that you have your keyword, restrain yourself from cramming it into every nook and cranny. Keyword density is an outdated strategy. Remember, you’re writing for people. No one wants to read the same phrase over and over. Instead, allow your keyword to occur naturally. But at a minimum, include your keyword in the:
H1
URL
Title tag
This is because not all page real estate is equal. Google will read every word, but not all sections are valued the same. By including your keyword in these three locations, you provide a strong indication of what that blog post is about.
3. Break Up The Blog Post
Here’s a little secret. Most people won’t read your blog post. They’ll skim it. Rather than taking offense to that, you can use it to your advantage.
Break up blocks of text with headlines and subheadings. From an SEO perspective, this means including a variety of header tags (H2s, H3s, etc). In addition to making your blog easier to scan, header tags are great places to include your primary keyword or any secondary keywords.
You should also include photos, graphics, as well as videos. And you guessed, they also provide additional keyword opportunities, such as image titles and alt text.
4. Include Internal And External Links
It may seem counterintuitive, but links are an important part of your SEO strategy. You don’t necessarily want people to click away from your article, but there’s value in both internal and external links.
Internal links send visitors to a different page on your domain. This passes link equity from one page to another. Think of it as a vote. You’re telling Google this other page is valuable. Don’t go overboard, but naturally including links to other pages can lift your site as a whole.
External links send visitors to a different domain entirely. This helps Google understand what your blog post is about. When choosing external links, look for sites that are high-quality and authoritative. Also, update the settings of that link so that, if clicked, a new tab is opened. This allows people to easily return to your site.
5. Write A Unique Title Tag and Meta Description
Finally, no blog post is complete without a unique title tag and meta description. These are the two components people will see on the search engine results page.
The title tag is a great place to include your primary keyword. It also demonstrates the relevancy of your blog post. For the meta description, think of it as an opportunity to earn the click. You’re literally stacked up against your competition. Why should someone click on your blog post instead of another?
There's a character limit to keep in mind for both the title and the description. The Google Meta Description Tester is the perfect tool to make sure you are hitting that sweet spot.
Writing SEO-friendly blog posts is just part of an effective digital marketing strategy. To learn more about maximizing your online presence, contact Reusser today.