10 Search Engine Optimization tips that are so easy, your kid could do it
The importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) cannot be overstated. Not only is SEO the key if you want to rank higher in search engines like Google and Bing, but it also helps businesses attract more customers.
This post outlines 10 simple ways you can optimize your blog posts to help increase their visibility online.
10 ways to improve your Search Engine Optimization
1. Optimize your headings for Search Engine Optimization
Make every headline count by making them relevant to your content. This is because search engine bots are more likely to rank posts with appropriate, relevant keywords in the headline higher than posts without it. The best way to do this is to use numbers and short, common words within your headings so you can take advantage of keyword density.
For example: instead of “How to Increase Organic Traffic by Blogging Regularly” write “How to Increase Organic Traffic with 7 Simple Steps!”
2. Optimize your subheadings
Since the subheadings usually appear on smaller devices, it’s more likely that they will be read than the headline itself. So optimize them as much as you can! Just like what we did earlier, use numbers and short, common words so you can also take advantage of keyword density in this case. The language here should still sound natural though. Don’t try too hard or it’ll sound awkward and weird when read out loud.
3. Include your keyword throughout your post
We’ve already mentioned that your keyword should feature in your blog title and subheading, now it’s time to sprinkle it throughout the blog itself if you want to improve your blog’s search engine optimization.
Be careful not to overdo it though. Spammy sounding keywords can hurt rather than help your Search Engine Optimization efforts. Think of it like this: the more natural the better.
Here are some tips on how to optimize your titles without coming off as spammy:
- Add your keyword in the title when it naturally flows
- Use your keyword once or twice throughout the body of the post
- Don’t use the same keyword on every blog post
4. Write simple sentences
Long, complex sentences will confuse readers who are reading on the go. Rather keep sentences short and to the point.
Not only will this help readers easily comprehend what you’re saying, it’ll also keep them interested in your content so they won’t hesitate to share it with their friends and followers on social media.
Write as if you were speaking to a close friend or client. For most of us, this is the hardest one to do but it’s also really important because if you can’t write for real people then who else will?
If you want to impress readers and drive more traffic to your blog posts, learn to write like how you speak.
People prefer straightforward writing that’s simple and conversational as opposed to complicated sentences with words they don’t understand.
5. Keep paragraphs short and punchy
Avoid overly long paragraphs and remember to add spaces within paragraphs to improve the reading experience. For example, look at the section above “Write simple sentences” and imagine that it was just one long paragraph.
It wouldn’t be much fun to read, would it?
6. Use internal links to enhance Search Engine Optimization
Another tip to improve your search engine optimization so you can rank higher is to use internal links.
When mentioning other articles you’ve written on your blog, link them using internal links. This is important because it’ll drive traffic to the older posts that you’re referring to and provide additional, relevant content for your readers.
This is a way to establish that you are an expert in your field, because you put out high-quality content.
Using this technique will also help search engines index your older posts faster since they’ll be able to tell what keywords you’re targeting from the links pointing to other pages on your site.
7. Write a meta description for your post (include keyword)
Include a meta description for each of your blog posts and include your chosen keyword in it.
This will also give you more opportunities to use the same target keywords again in addition to letting search engines know what your post is about so they can come up with relevant results when someone searches for the topic in question.
Remember to keep your meta descriptions under 150 characters because Google has recently started displaying only up to 155 characters in its search results.
8. Name your images + Alt Text
Image optimization is another way to improve your search engine ranking.
When adding images to your blog, simply name your images and include an Alt text that includes your keyword.
The title should be relevant and informative while the Alt text should describe the image and ideally include a keyword or two as well. This will help search engines find any images you’ve included in your blog post and index them accordingly.
9. Categorize your post
Categorize your posts to make it easier for search engines to find them.
If you’re writing about how to write better blog titles, categorize the post as “Writing” rather than “Social Media.”
The more specific you are with your categories, the higher chances of search engines bringing up your page in relevant searches.
10. Don’t use massive image file sizes
Uploading images with large file sizes is a waste of time and bandwidth because the image may take too long to load, thus losing your readers.
The recommended file size for images is under 100kb so you should always compress your images before uploading them.
If your audience is mostly mobile, this will help improve the page loading speeds on their end as well.
For those who have WordPress sites, you can also use an image compressor like Smush to automatically reduce the image file size.
Bonus Tip: Make sure your site loads quickly
Lastly, make sure that your site loads quickly on mobile devices. Google has recently implemented page speed into its search engine ranking algorithm so this is more important now than ever before.
If this hasn’t been a priority for you in the past, it needs to be now. Especially if Search Engine Optimization is important to your marketing goals.
If you don’t know how to check the speed of your website, simply use a free tool like Pingdom and it’ll give you an accurate analysis of which elements to work on in order to improve the loading speeds for both desktop and mobile visitors.
Take action now
If you want to get some 100% FREE training on how to set up your website in 5 days, then click here.
In this training, I’ll show you how to use free online tools to create a lightning-fast website in less than a week.
You can go through the training in your own time and at your own pace, so don’t stress if you don’t have time to do it in 5 days!
Get the free training now.
Takeaway
The techniques we’ve covered should help you rank higher in search engine results and drive more traffic to your blog.
With a little bit of effort on your part, you can improve the quality of your content dramatically with these Search Engine Optimization tips which will make all the difference in how readers view what you have to say.
More website traffic gives you the opportunity to guide people to your lead magnet or products/services.
