So, you’ve got a great content. You’re producing top-quality blogs and regularly updating your web page. All of this is for naught if you’re not receiving any traffic. Ultimately, all the great content you produce needs to be seen by someone for the effort to be worthwhile.
How can you ensure this happens? The simple answer: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for content is key. When you optimize your content, it ensures that your content shows up higher in search engines, including Google and Bing. When you begin showing up in organic search results, this results in higher traffic – and not just any visitors, the kind of traffic that is more likely to result in sales.
So how exactly do search engines determine who sees your content? Search engines gather and rank content using algorithms to determine the relevancy and quality of content. The higher your content ranks in either of those categories, the more likely it is to appear on the first page of search engine results.
Content optimization is the primary means of helping your content reach that first page, and it involves updating on-page copy, images, links, and even code. In this blog, we’ll explore eight ways for how to optimize your content to improve your Google ranking.
1. Begin Keyword Research
The first step towards optimizing your content involves putting yourself in your target audience’s shoes and imagining what they want. Are they searching for anti-aging skincare products? Vitamin supplements? The main question is: What are they typing into search engines? Once you determine this, you will have a better idea of what keywords to include. Appropriate wording and phrasing are very important because you want to incorporate these exact terms into your content.
2. Identifying Similar Keywords and Phrases
Once you have your primary keywords identified, you want to search for possible variations on those keywords. Google and YouTube are particularly useful places to being your search because as you begin typing, they will automatically attempt to fill in the blanks with other common searches. You can also click “Searches Related To…” Online keyword generators can also provide assistance finding related keywords.
3. Incorporating Keywords to Optimize Your Content
Once your keywords are identified, you will need to start embedding them into your content. Ideally, your main keyword should appear within the first 100-150 words and in headers. One common pitfall that those new to content optimization will fall into is stuffing keywords into their text at every single opportunity. Search engine algorithms will actually penalize you for this, so ensure that whatever keywords you include, they are being included naturally into your content.
4. Create a Title Tag
Your title tag, which is also referred to as a meta title and page title, improves your SEO ranking. This is the web page title that your audience will see appear on their search results and most likely their first impression of your content, so you want to ensure the title sucks readers in! It should be between 50-60 character – any longer and it will be cut off in the Search Engine Results Page, which isn’t helpful to optimize your content.
5. Craft Eye-Catching Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions are the text that appears in search results under the meta title. Though it doesn’t directly affect your ranking, it does serve as a key factor in securing the attention of your audience. If the title and description both match their own search interests, they’re much more likely to continue to your web page and content.
To create an engaging meta description, incorporate action verbs like “uncover,” “solve,” or “explore.” Each of your web pages should have a unique meta description that is within 155 characters. Anything longer, and your description will be cut off mid-sentence.
6. Incorporate Keywords into Headings
Your main webpage heading is called H1, and it should always include your primary keywords. The meta title and description should also match. Having these three elements connected is important to ensure that Google’s algorithm recognizes your content’s relevance.
H2 and H3 are subheadings that should include secondary keywords as often as possible. Structuring your content with primary and secondary headings is useful so that Google can understand the structure of your content and its usefulness to web users.
Here is an example of the three headings:
H1: Buy SEO Articles from Professional Copywriters at SEOArmy
H2: SEOArmy’s SEO Article Writing Offers:
H3: We Research Your Company and Industry
7. Add Links
Both external and internal links serve as powerful cross-references. They add credibility to your material and your own position as an expert on the topic at hand.
External links are a bit riskier, but you are linking to content that is not your own. Still, it is an invaluable resource because more skeptical readers will be able to identify exactly where your claims come from. You want to ensure that you are only linking to reliable sources that support your claims. This does serve as an opportunity to link your own content to well-established sites. Internal links simply provide an opportunity for you to promote your other content.
8. Incorporate Engaging Images
While your text must be information, reliable, and overall, of high quality, that is not the only thing that keeps your readers engaged. Attaching a memorable image to your content ensures that it will be much more likely to be shared on social media and opened by recipients. Image Alt text optimization is one way of helping search engines understand what your images show. Alt texts should be a complete sentence describing the image. Be sure to include your keywords here too!
SEOArmy Can Help Optimize Your Content
Now that you are familiar with these eight simple steps, you are ready to start optimizing your content! For further assistance, SEOArmy provides extensive expertise in this area. We can provide you with a complete content SEO optimization strategy to increase traffic and generate sales, and we guarantee results! Contact us today for a consultation and free quote.