Contact Mickey

Blog SEO: How to Search Engine Optimize Your Blogs (So They Actually Get Read).

blogging content seo May 20, 2023
Blog SEO: How to Search Engine Optimize Your Blogs (So They Actually Get Read). Blog Image

Why is blog SEO important? As a campaign strategist and conversion copywriter, I leverage the power of SEO blogs to increase brand awareness and drive sales for my clients. Creating a successful and high-ranking seo blog requires more than just well-written content or an SEO plugin. This comprehensive guide will explore advanced techniques and SEO blog strategies to optimize your blog, increase search traffic, and improve user engagement.

We'll explore how designing captivating graphics can complement your content and how incorporating strategically placed CTAs can encourage reader interaction. You'll learn about selecting and implementing SEO friendly responsive design techniques for optimal mobile browsing.

Discover how to create an evergreen blog post with long-term relevance that drives organic traffic with a compelling title tag, headline and meta description, without sacrificing readability. You'll learn how to use various tools, such as sitemaps & Google Search Console, to enhance UX and identify focus keywords and long-tail keywords for your SEO strategy. We'll cover the effective use of internal linking to other pages on your own site.

Our guide covers comprehensive methods for off-page optimization tactics like guest posting strategies and building a strong online presence through quality backlinks. Last but not least, I break down my content business's SEO tech stack so you can see exactly what professionals are using to manage this entire process. Remember, it all comes back to the perspective that you want to create content for the user and optimize for SEO, not the other way around.

Bookmark this guide now so you can continue to refer to these SEO tips as you write your page title, build your featured snippet and optimize your blog!

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links, we receive a small commission. We only promote brands and tools we use, love and trust. Thank you for your support.

But first, snag these 21 reusable AI prompts for social media captions!

Creating A New Blog Post vs Optimizing an Existing One for Search Engines

Whether you are creating a new blog post or optimizing your existing blog content, these blog SEO tips will help you optimize your blog content, improve on-page SEO and get more organic search traffic, all without keyword stuffing or wasting time.

Creating new blog posts is important to stay relevant and provide prospects with a way to get to know your brand. However, many businesses skip the steps of collecting SEO metrics, evaluating website traffic, and leveraging that data to optimize existing blog content. You can improve blog SEO on past content by optimizing page speed, updating internal linking, and adding related keywords based on Google search results.

Your work isn't done after you hit publish; the process of optimizing blog SEO is ongoing. My favourite tool for analyzing past content and finding seo opportunities is Surfer SEO. Surfer's Audit creates a comprehensive report on the SEO quality of any given web page. Repurposing old content, and fixing SEO errors can yield huge results with minimal effort.

https://surferseo.com/?fpr=mickey97

"Your work isn't done after you hit publish; the process of optimizing blog SEO is ongoing!"

I also recommend using a publishing calendar and scheduling the production of new blog posts along with regular optimization of existing blog posts. To optimize your blog, begin by searching for your focus keyword in incognito mode to review the titles, featured snippets and relevant content that appears. You can study what is currently ranking and use browser extension tools like Keywords Everywhere or Moz Bar to gain additional SEO information.

Creative Graphics and CTAs

Designing creative graphics with bold, visible call-to-action (CTA) buttons is a crucial aspect of optimizing your blog SEO for search engines. Your blog's images and creative elements not only improve user experience but also encourage engagement and increase conversions.

You can add internal links to other pages in blog images and leverage image alt text to improve search results. We've all clicked on an article that was only blocks of text and can see how simple visual aids can assist in the user experience. Let's explore the importance of eye-catching visuals and SEO tips for designing effective CTA buttons.

Importance of Eye-Catching Visuals in SEO

Incorporating visually appealing graphics into your blog post can significantly boost their performance on search engine results pages (SERPs) and should be a part of your SEO strategy. Attractive images capture users' attention, leading to higher click-through rates (CTR) and better overall rankings on platforms like Google Search Console. Additionally, well-designed visuals make it easier for readers to understand complex information while adding value to your content. The key is choosing media file sizes that don't impede page speed!

Tips for Designing Effective CTA Buttons For Blog Posts

  • Select a contrasting colour: Choose a button colour that stands out from the rest of your website design to draw attention immediately, and use inbound links to keep the user engaged on your website.

  • Create urgency: Use time-sensitive phrases such as "Limited Time Offer" or "Sign Up Now" to prompt users into taking action quickly.

  • A/B test different designs: Experiment with various styles, sizes, and placements using tools like Google Optimize until you find what works best for conversion rates within your specific audience segment.

  • Add whitespace around CTAs: Providing ample space around call-to-action buttons makes them more prominent on web pages while improving readability levels simultaneously - ensuring optimal indexing by search engines like Google Search Console.

"Well designed visuals aren't just for looks–they improve user experience and help the reader break down complex topics."

Crafting Engaging Titles and Meta Descriptions

To create an SEO-friendly blog post, it's essential to focus on crafting an engaging blog title, page title and meta description. These elements play a crucial role in attracting search traffic by grabbing the user's attention while they are browsing search engine results pages (SERPs) and boosting organic click-through rates.

Your page title and blog post title can be slightly different depending on how you want your featured snippet to appear for search engine traffic, however, both should be SEO friendly and follow the tips below.

Techniques for Writing Compelling Blog Post Titles

  • Include your target keyword naturally within the title, preferably towards the beginning.

  • Create titles that combine your focus keyword with emotional appeal words that grab readers' attention.

  • Avoid using special characters or encoded characters, as they may not display correctly in search results.

  • Use headline analyzer tools to evaluate the effectiveness of your blog post title before publishing.

There are a few powerful tools I recommend to assist with creating titles and meta descriptions. My personal favourite is Jasper.ai which has a simple template that you can plug in your blog information, and it curates captivating titles and meta descriptions.

https://jasper.ai?utm_source=partner&fpr=heymickey

Optimizing Your Blog Post Meta Description with Keywords

An effective meta description should be concise yet informative, providing a brief overview of what users can expect from your content. Here are some tips for optimizing your meta description:

  1. Incorporate relevant keywords without overstuffing them into the meta description - this helps improve visibility on SERPs while maintaining readability for potential visitors.

  2. Leverage action-oriented language to encourage clicks; e.g., "Discover how...", "Learn more about...", etc.

  3. Avoid duplicating meta descriptions across multiple blog pages - each page should have a unique meta description that accurately reflects its content.

  4. Use meta description length wisely - aim for around 155 characters to ensure that your text doesn't get truncated in search results.

Utilizing Various Media Types In Blog Posts

Incorporating different media types, such as text, images, or videos, helps explain and support your content better while improving its visibility in search results. This enhances user experience by making it more engaging and informative.

My content marketing business has been testing different media types in website page content and has found that including key takeaway videos and bold summary graphics can help on-page SEO and support structured data.

Benefits of using multimedia content in blog posts

When crafting blog posts, the goal is to create an amazing article that users love and share. Site owners should choose images and media that support the readers' experience and reflect their industry and brand.

  • Better engagement: Multimedia elements like images or videos can capture the attention of users more effectively than plain text. You can also build a stronger personal connection with the reader by adding video and audio snippets to your web page.

  • Easier comprehension: Visual aids help break down complex concepts for readers, making information easier to digest. Not only does this optimize blog content, but it provides opportunities to add links and relevant content throughout your page.

  • Richer user experience: A variety of media formats caters to diverse learning styles and preferences among your audience members. By understanding the search intent, you can leverage the appropriate media types to support the user experience.

  • Increase dwell time: Engaging multimedia keeps visitors on your blog pages longer, which is a positive signal for search engines like Google Search Console regarding the quality of your content. You can easily track user engagement and blog traffic on your pages using google analytics data.

Best practices when adding images or videos to blog posts

  1. Add descriptive alt tags: Alt tags are essential for both accessibility purposes and SEO benefits. They provide context about an image's purpose within the article while helping search engine crawlers understand what it represents. Use relevant keywords without overstuffing them into these descriptions.

  2. Select appropriate file sizes & formats: Google's WebP format offers superior compression rates without sacrificing image quality. Google and other search engines understand that slow page load times result in poor user experience, and they penalize pages that take too long to load.

  3. Embed videos responsively: Make sure that any embedded video content adjusts automatically to fit different screen sizes, ensuring a consistent user experience across devices. The increasing prevalence of mobile users accessing information remotely necessitates the need for embedded video content to adjust accordingly, in order to provide a consistent experience across devices.

Evergreen Content Strategy

Creating evergreen articles ensures that information remains relevant over time, which maintains high-ranking positions on SERPs. Focusing on topics that have lasting value will contribute positively toward overall site traffic growth while aligning with your SEO strategy.

Let's explore how to identify evergreen topics within your niche and update existing content to maintain relevancy.

Identifying Evergreen Topics Within Your Niche

To create a successful evergreen content strategy, start by brainstorming topics related to your industry or expertise that won't become outdated quickly. Perform keyword research to ensure these topics are relevant to your users search queries and create content that aligns with relevant topics and search engine optimization. Some examples include:

  • Tutorials and how-to guides for commonly used tools or techniques in your field.

  • Listicles featuring timeless tips, best practices, or recommendations.

  • In-depth case studies showcasing success stories and lessons learned from past projects.

All of these content types are great for attracting organic traffic and inbound links, which contribute to blog seo performance.

Updating Existing Content to Maintain Relevancy

Regularly revising earlier blog entries to ensure they remain pertinent is a must for SEO effectiveness. Regularly reviewing older posts and updating them with new insights, optimizing meta descriptions, add statistics, or source links as needed helps search engines recognize that your page is important and being properly maintained. Consider implementing these tactics:

  1. Add recent developments or trends related to the topic at hand.

  2. Rewrite sections containing outdated information with up-to-date data sourced from reputable sources like Statista.

  3. Incorporate feedback received from readers in the form of comments or social media interactions into revised versions of the post.

Structuring SEO Blog Posts Effectively

A well-structured blog post not only improves user experience but also ensures that search engines like Google Search Console can effectively index your content. Let's explore some tips for arranging your blog posts in an effective manner.

Prioritizing Readability Alongside SEO Optimization Techniques

Readability is crucial in keeping readers engaged with your content. To achieve this, use short paragraphs, bullet points, or numbered lists where appropriate, and include relevant subheadings throughout the text. Make sure to incorporate keywords naturally within headings and subheadings without overstuffing them - a practice that could harm your Yoast plugin analysis.

Creating Clear Outlines Before Drafting Posts

An outline helps you organize ideas before diving into writing the actual post. Start by listing key points you want to cover under each heading or subheading using a tool like WorkFlowy. This approach will ensure that your content flows logically while incorporating all necessary information related to the topic at hand.

My favourite tool for creating blog post outlines and building the foundational structure is Surfer's Content Editor. Surfer’s insights are bespoke to each article and SERP location, providing guidance and a recommended article outline based on your ‘Organic Competitors'. 

The best part is that Surfer provides a Content Score, which reacts live to changes made in the tool, allowing you to see how your changes impact the quality of the article.

https://surferseo.com/?fpr=mickey97

Remember: structuring blog posts effectively is vital for both engaging readers and optimizing blog content for search engine rankings and organic traffic. By prioritizing readability alongside SEO techniques and creating clear outlines before drafting posts, you'll be well on your way toward achieving success in these areas.

Fast-loading Pages Optimization

Improving page load speed can provide a slight boost to Google rankings and enhance user experience. Implementing sitemaps, Search Console integration, and optimizing content for Featured Snippets are recommended strategies within your overall SEO plan.

Tips for Reducing Page Load Time

  • Optimize images: Compress and resize images before uploading them to your blog to reduce file size without compromising quality.

  • Caching: Utilize caching plugins like W3 Total Cache, which stores static versions of web pages, reducing server load time.

  • Clean up code: Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files by removing unnecessary characters or whitespace to decrease file sizes.

  • Select fast hosting providers: Choose a reliable hosting provider that offers excellent performance at an affordable price. Research different options, such as shared or dedicated servers, based on your website's needs.

The Importance of Mobile-friendly Design

In the present digital era, with most users accessing websites via mobile gadgets, it is essential to have a website design that adjusts flawlessly across different display sizes. Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search results due to its commitment to providing optimal user experiences (Mobile-First Indexing initiative). To ensure your WordPress site meets these requirements, use themes with built-in responsiveness or implement custom solutions using CSS media queries.

Reducing Bounce Rates with High-Quality Content

To effectively reduce bounce rates and improve user experience (UX), focus on creating high-quality content catering specifically towards targeted audiences, ensuring they remain engaged throughout their visit. Engaging readers with rich media elements like images or videos alongside internal linking practices help maintain interest levels while providing additional information when required.

Techniques for Producing Captivating Content

  • Tell a story: Narratives engage readers emotionally and make your content more relatable.

  • Use data-driven insights: Incorporate research findings, statistics, and case studies to support your points and add credibility to your blog posts.

  • Craft compelling headlines: Capture the attention of users by writing eye-catching titles that encourage them to click through and read further.

  • Format for readability: Break up long paragraphs into shorter ones, use bullet points or numbered lists, bold important phrases, and include subheadings to make it easier for users to scan through the text quickly.

Quality AI Content Creation

If you're looking for a shortcut to create your blog posts for you, Content At Scale is my number one recommendation for an AI writer. Content At Scale provides you with the best quality, long-form, 2500+ word articles that are research-backed and include links sources. My team and I use Content At Scale as our baseline draft writer, leaving us to only optimize the blog post with personal stories, experience, and of course, some SEO tweaks. Content At Scale can create your blog post from a keyword, rewrite an existing blog post, from a YouTube video or a podcast episode.

https://contentatscale.ai?fpr=heymickey

Optimizing for Internal and External Links

Best Practices in Internal Linking

An effective internal linking strategy not only keeps visitors engaged but also improves site navigation and enhances SEO efforts. Follow these best practices when incorporating internal links within your blog content:

  1. Select relevant anchor text that accurately describes the linked content.

  2. Link to other blog posts or pages on your website that provide further information or expand upon a topic mentioned in the current post.

  3. Avoid overloading your content with too many internal links, as this can be overwhelming for readers and may appear spammy to search engines.

Best Practices in Source Linking

Linking your page to relevant sources and separate URLs showcases that your content is accurate and factually true while helping search engines find connections between your content and other sources online. The more websites link to a page or blog post, the higher it ranks in Google.

  1. Select factually correct and relevant sources to support your article.

  2. Use proper citations to assist the reader in understanding the context of each link.

  3. Avoid linking to too many sources.

Keyword Research Foundation

Proper keyword research forms the foundation of any successful SEO-optimized blog post. Utilizing effective tools like Ahrefs or Surfer, you can identify low Domain Rating (DR) websites with lots of user-generated content, which may offer opportunities for ranking improvements through targeted marketing campaigns based on specific terms identified during analysis stages.

Utilizing Keyword Tools Effectively

To make the most out of keyword research tools, start by identifying your niche's primary keywords and then dig deeper to find long-tail variations that have lower competition but still maintain search volume. Analyze competitor blogs and their top-performing pages and focus keywords, to uncover potential keyword gaps or untapped topics in your industry. Some popular keyword research tools include Moz Keyword Explorer, SEMrush, Surfer SEO and Google's own Keyword Planner Tool.

My team and I use Surfer’s Keyword Research tool to automate hours of research and work, generating topic clusters filled with keywords that are optimized for a chosen SERP location and main keyword. You can sync your keyword research to your Google Search Console domain for additional research power.

https://surferseo.com/?fpr=mickey97

Incorporating Keywords into Key Areas without Overstuffing

  • Title tag: Ensure your main keyword is present in the title tag while keeping it natural and engaging for readers.

  • H1 heading: Include the primary keyword within your H1 heading as well, maintaining readability and relevance.

  • Main body content: Use both short-tail and long-tail keywords throughout the text but avoid overstuffing; focus on providing value to users first. Remember that the first paragraph of your main body content is often used in search engine featured snippets.

  • Anchors and internal links: Use keyword-rich anchor text for your internal and source links, making sure they are relevant to the linked content.

  • Image alt tags: Incorporate keywords into image alt tags to improve visibility in SERPs.

Remember, creating high-quality content that caters to user search intent and experience should always be your top priority. Properly researched and strategically placed keywords will only enhance your blog's SEO success and help you cater to search engines.

FAQs in Relation to Blog SEO

Do Blog Articles Help SEO?

Yes, blog articles significantly contribute to improving SEO. They provide fresh content for search engines to index and offer opportunities for targeting relevant keywords. High-quality blogs also attract backlinks, boost user engagement, and establish your website as an authoritative source in your industry.

How Do I Write an SEO Optimized Blog Article?

To write an effective SEO blog article, follow these steps: conduct keyword research; create engaging headlines; structure the content with headings and subheadings; maintain readability by using short paragraphs and simple language; optimize images with alt tags; include internal links to related content on your own blogs or site; add external links to reputable sources when appropriate.

What Is an SEO Content Blog?

An SEO content blog refers to a collection of well-optimized articles that aim at driving organic traffic from search engines. These blogs are designed around target keywords while maintaining high-quality writing standards. The goal is not only to rank higher in organic search results but also to engage readers effectively.

How Do I Find Blog SEO Topics?

Finding suitable topics for an SEO-focused blog involves researching popular trends within your niche, analyzing competitors' successful posts, utilizing keyword research tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, identifying long-tail phrases with low competition yet decent search volume, answering common questions from customers or online forums such as Quora, and brainstorming ideas with your team.

Turn These Blog SEO Tips into Improved Blog SEO Performance

By following the strategies outlined in this blog post, professional service providers can improve their website's visibility and engagement on search engines. From creating eye-catching graphics to implementing off-page optimization tactics, there are many ways to enhance your online presence.

Remember to prioritize evergreen content creation and writing a readable yet optimized blog post that incorporates engaging media elements and internal links. Leverage tools like Google Search Console and schema markup for improved user experience, and don't forget about keyword research for impactful title generation.

With a consistent publishing schedule of SEO optimized blog content, and regularly optimizing your existing content, you can increase search traffic, increase brand awareness and improve sales and customer experience. Blogging is not dead! Prioritize your blog over social media channels because your website is your business's digital real estate and requires ongoing maintenance and care. With these tips and my team's SEO tech stack, you can reduce content production time significantly by leveraging AI and powerful SEO tools while improving the results of your SEO efforts. Talk about hustle less profit more!

90 Days of SEO Blog Posts & Content Marketing

Take your blog SEO game to the next level with a 90-day campaign! We leverage blog SEO, email marketing and social media distribution to craft a powerful 90-day content marketing funnel that increases awareness and drives sales!

We use all of the tips included in this article and many more to create evergreen content that moves customers through the customer journey and continues to drive sales long after the 90-day campaign is complete. Click below to learn whether a 90-day campaign is a good fit for your content marketing needs!

Explore The Blog

Content Planning 101: How to build a 90-day content plan

May 22, 2023

Optimizing Post-Purchase Experience For Customer Experience

May 20, 2023

Head To The Blog Home Page