Learning how to write SEO-friendly blog posts takes some time. SEO writing is in a league of its own, and simply republishing content that you find personally interesting is unlikely to get Google’s praise. The key is to find the sweet spot between your expertise and what users are already searching for online. Since regularly published content is a cornerstone of any good SEO strategy, let’s outline how to write SEO-friendly blog posts for your website.
1. Know Your Audience
Every good writer knows what their audience craves. They understand how diverse groups of people bring distinct opinions, worldviews, and preferences to every conversation. That’s why it’s essential to envision your audience long before ever opening a word processor.
When it comes to SEO writing, there are always at least two equally important audiences: Google and the reader. To favor one at the expense of the other is less than ideal. Of course, the main goal of SEO-friendly blog posts is to increase organic website traffic from Google. However, if users simply leave before reading your content or browsing your website, then the number of clicks your post gets is somewhat irrelevant.
Google is reluctant to reveal exactly why it favors certain content, but we know what it tends to elevate is original, informative, and authoritative. After all, it’s in the platform’s best interest to provide an excellent experience for its users. That way, they’ll keep using its services, and it will remain the most popular search engine on the internet.
Believe it or not, SEO writing isn’t just for Google. It’s also for real people seeking genuine solutions to various challenges. So, write about what you know and what your readers will find useful. Avoid inflating your posts by including fluff and distracting details. Feel free to share your professional opinion and speculation, but remember to always cite your sources when making claims. Don’t forget to include your reasoning to guide your audience to your conclusions.
2. Do Your Research
Before you begin writing, it’s important to do some homework. The last thing you want to do is publish false, boring, or redundant content—there’s plenty of that on the internet already. So, take some time to research relevant keywords and explore answers to frequently asked questions.
First, consider your company, its products and services, and your audience. How is your company solving problems, and what makes you different from competitors? Don’t be afraid to lean into the unique value you provide to your community.
Then, imagine your audience’s intent and motivation, as well as what they may be searching for online. Make a note of any terms or topics that you have firsthand knowledge about, and go from there. This will give you some direction when narrowing down the exact keywords most relevant to your company.
Without keyword research, SEO writers would be flying blind. Luckily, there are several ways to gain insight into popular search trends. Consider using The Hoth’s free keyword research tool to discover which topics are most likely to make an impact. If you’re in need of inspiration, then take some time to explore other blogs and websites related to your industry.
3. Focus on Readability
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to start writing! The first step is to create an engaging title and multiple headings for your post. Keep in mind that these should be concise and descriptive, and they should always include popular keywords related to your topic.
This point is worth emphasizing. Remember that most internet users browse the web on their mobile device, which is why well-structured blog posts are better than long blocks of ceaseless text. Put yourself in a reader’s shoes—would you rather read an extended essay or a list of tips when looking for quick advice?
Always separate key sections of text with H2, H3, or H4 headings, and start a new section after about every 300 words. Also, try to keep all paragraphs to a maximum length of 150 words. If you can, shorten most sentences to less than 20 words, and choose terms that are common and easily understood. The average American reads at about a 7th grade level, so unless your audience includes doctors, lawyers, scientists, or academics, keep the complex jargon to a minimum.
4. Publish Quality, Original Content
At the end of the day, search engine algorithms generally prefer quality rather than quantity when indexing webpages. While long-form posts are extremely beneficial when done right, content for content’s sake shouldn’t be the goal. So, make sure the text of your blog post is well written and always provides value for readers.
Be sure to use relevant keywords throughout the body of your text, as well as within subheadings where appropriate. Work variations of keywords and phrases into several sentences, but don’t force them—you don’t want your copy to sound unnatural. Decide on a writing style and stick with it, because consistency is key when writing SEO-friendly blog posts.
Remember to include internal or external links when making claims, citing authorities, and looking to enhance your credibility. As often as possible, link to sources with a high domain authority, but avoid sending traffic to competitors’ websites. When it’s helpful, link to impactful statistics from a reputable source like Statista.
5. Build upon Past Posts
Your website’s blog posts don’t exist within a vacuum. Ideally, they’re contained within a separate blog, news, or resources page. That’s why one of the most important SEO best practices relates to overall blog structure.
Structure your entire blog page around pillars and clusters of key topics. Start with posts that feature short-tail, overview keywords like “homeowners insurance” or “cybersecurity.” Then, elaborate on the topic in future posts using long-tail keywords like “key benefits of homeowners insurance” or “cybersecurity best practices in 2023.”
Continue adding new posts every month, and always link them back to the overview (pillar) post. Over time, you’ll build a reliable database of self-reinforcing content, thereby encouraging visitors to spend more time browsing your website.
Don’t forget to share your best content on social media platforms and your Google Business Profile to drive more traffic to your website. Consider sending new posts to your email list, current and past clients, or potential leads to spark a conversation. It’s also a great idea to revisit and update old content at least once a year to keep information as current as possible. Plus, it’ll also signal to Google that your website is active and invested in user experience.
We Write SEO-Friendly Blog Posts
Learning how to write SEO-friendly blog posts isn't as difficult as you may think! All it takes is some forethought, a little research, and simple, easy-to-read, original content. Don’t forget to include reputable links and build upon past posts whenever the opportunities arise.
In our professional opinion, every company should have a blog page for its new and current visitors. It will go a long way towards improving brand visibility and maintaining a high-quality digital presence. If you’re in need of a professional website, a custom blog page, or a managed monthly SEO service, then please don’t hesitate to give us a call, send us an email, or reach out online today. We’d be honored to help your company elevate its online presence and boost its organic website traffic moving forward.
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