Writing content that ranks high in search engines can seem tough for beginners. However, by following some key best practices around optimizing copy for search, it is possible for anyone to improve their search engine rankings.
This guide will walk through the fundamentals of search engine optimization (SEO) and provide actionable tips for crafting SEO-friendly content.
The Importance of Writing SEO-Friendly Content
How does SEO work?
In essence, SEO aims to make web pages and content easier for search engines like Google to crawl, index, and understand. This is done through both on-page optimization (content, HTML tags, URL structure) as well as off-page optimization (backlinks, social shares). By optimizing copy, developers can improve organic visibility and rankings for relevant keyword terms.
The higher a page ranks in search results, the more likely it is to garner clicks and drive traffic. Thus, SEO-friendly content is valuable for increasing awareness, leads and conversions for businesses. Even beginning guides rank highly for educational searches around writing better copy.
Benefits of SEO-friendly content
There are a few key advantages of optimizing content for search:
- Increased organic traffic and brand awareness from rankings
- Lower cost per lead/sale than paid advertising
- Ongoing results – Content continues benefiting your site vs short-lived paid ads
- Improved user experience by matching searcher intent
- Higher conversion rates from targeted visitors from SEO
By taking the time to implement SEO best practices in your writing, you can unlock immense value in the form of qualified visitors to your site over the long-term.
Tips for Writing SEO-Friendly Content
Research relevant keywords
The foundation of optimizing any piece of content is to first research and identify the terms and phrases that prospects are searching for around your topic. These are known as keywords, and they indicate commercial buyer intent.
You can discover high-value SEO keywords to target using free tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner
- SEMRush
- Ahrefs
- Moz Keyword Explorer
Assess search volume as well as difficulty to rank for each potential term. This will help guide what to realistically focus on targeting in your content.
Determine appropriate content length
While search engines have become more nuanced, longer-form, in-depth content still performs very well in rankings. Aim for at least 1500+ words for blog posts and guides to satisfy searcher intent.
For product or location pages, 750-1000+ words is often adequate to fully inform users and outrank thin pages. Thin content with little substance continues to struggle in SERPs.
Tools like PopAi are extremely useful for streamlining the content creation process. Its AI writer can generate outlines and templates to kickstart articles, ensuring the appropriate structure and length.
Create an eye-catching title
Your headline is the first touchpoint for connecting with readers in search engines and social media. An engaging title inspires clicks, while incorporating primary keywords naturally signals relevance to search bots.
Follow SEO title tag best practices:
- Lead with your main keyword where possible
- Keep under 60 characters for optimal visibility
- Create an emotional hook or tease the value add
Well-optimized titles are invaluable for driving traffic from not only text search, but voice search as well.
Structure your content
Proper structure through headings, subheadings and paragraphs are vitally important for on-page SEO. Break up blocks of texts with relevant section titles at least H2 or H3 sized.
Bulleted lists around key takeaways also help reinforce importance and scannability. Ensure content flows well logically, with natural transitions between ideas. This helps boost time on site.
Use optimized images
Including properly sized, labeled, compressed images in content adds visual interest while also benefiting accessibility and conversions. For SEO however, images must have descriptive file names and ALT tags emphasizing keywords. This enables them to get indexed themselves.
Diagrams, info-graphics, charts and other visual assets can attract links when shared online, amplifying your organic reach. Just be sure to optimize them!
Update content regularly
Search algorithms continue to place more weight on fresh, recent content. This is especially true in competitive categories like news, business or technology writing.
Revisiting and updating evergreen posts or resources ensures they remain timely and authoritative. Even minor title tweaks or adding new paragraphs helps show relevance.
Set reminders annually to reassess old content. Update statistics, add/adjust recommendations, or test new headers around trending themes to keep pages ranking high.
Conclusion
Optimizing content for search doesn’t need to be complicated, even for beginners. By researching buyer keywords, lengthening copy, crafting engaging titles, properly structuring posts, leveraging visuals and keeping pages fresh – anyone can improve SEO to capture more organic traffic over time.
Focus first on satisfying searcher intent above all else. This transforms visitors into engaged, loyal readers. Beginning guides like this one aim to make best practices around writing SEO friendly content accessible for wider implementation across sites and verticals.
