10 Steps for Blog Optimization
Thomas Knoble
Empowering small business with: Comprehensive Digital Solutions, Web Development, Graphic Design, Branding, & Marketing ?? Huff & puff & blow that old website down to make your branding oink! ??
Optimizing for SEO is where the work pays off.
Writing your blog content is just the beginning. Optimizing it for SEO is just as crucial in order for search engines to discover it. While it might seem like a daunting task, there’s a way to simplify it – by using an SEO checklist. Neglecting optimization isn’t wise, but there’s no need to feel overwhelmed by it either. These steps will allow the Google search bot to efficiently index your site and in turn allow it to rank higher in search results pages.
SEO Optimization Checklist for Your Blog Post
1. Page Title
The title grabs people’s attention and tells them what your blog is about, while the description gives them a sneak peek into what they can expect. A good title informs people, encouraging them to click and read more. It’s like making a great first impression – if it’s interesting and clear, more people will want to visit your blog. The post title is an important ranking factor for search engines.
RESOURCE:?Why Page Titles Are Important
2. Meta Description
A meta description is important for your post. It’s a short summary that appears in search results, giving people an idea of what your post is about. A well-written meta description can make your blog post more appealing and encourage people to click and read. It helps it stand out and attract more visitors. So, a good meta description makes your blog more clickable and boosts its visibility in search engines.
RESOURCE:?Guide to Meta Tags
2. Simplify the URL?
A simplified URL helps people find your blog online. It’s easier to remember and share with others. Plus, search engines like Google also like simple URLs, which can help your blog post show up in search results and get more visitors. So, a simple URL makes it simpler for everyone to reach and enjoy your blog!
3. First Sentence
If you put important keywords and information in the first sentence, it helps search engines understand what your blog is about. This can make your blog show up higher in search results, bringing more people to read what you’ve written. So, make that first sentence count to boost your blog’s visibility and attract more visitors!
RESOURCE:?The Importance of Opening Paragraph
4. Broken Links
If links are broken or don’t work, it’s like hitting a dead end on the road – frustrating and disappointing.?In addition, broken links are a negative ranking factor for search engines hurting your opportunity.
RESOURCE:?https://www.brokenlinkcheck.com/
5. Featured Image
Having a featured image for your blog page is like the cover of a book – the first thing people see. A good featured image grabs attention and gives a visual preview of what your blog post is about. It makes your blog more appealing and encourages people to click and read. Plus, when you share your blog on social media or other platforms, the featured image shows up, making your content more shareable and recognizable. So, a featured image makes your blog look inviting and helps attract more readers!
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RESOURCE:?Why Does A Featured Image Matter
6. Keyword Count
Keywords help search engines understand what your blog is about. Keywords are like the main topics or words related to your content. Using them appropriately in your blog helps search engines know when to show your blog in search results. But be careful not to use too many keywords, as it can make your blog look unnatural. Finding a balance helps your blog show up in relevant searches and reach the right audience. So, pay attention to keyword count to make your blog more discoverable online!
RESOURCE:?Keyword Checker
7. Shorter Paragraphs
Shorter paragraphs make reading easier on a screen. It makes your content easier to skim, which is what a lot of readers will do theses days particularly on mobile phones. Imagine a big wall of text – it can be tough to follow.
But shorter paragraphs are like stepping stones, guiding you through the content. They give your eyes a rest and help you understand better. So, using shorter paragraphs in your blog post makes it more reader-friendly and enjoyable.
RESOURCE:?4 Reasons To Write Short Paragraphs
8. Mobile Use
Mobile usability matters for a blog page because lots of people use phones and tablets. If your blog looks messy on those devices, readers might leave. A mobile-friendly blog is easy to read and navigate on small screens, keeping everyone happy. So, caring about mobile usability makes your blog post work well on all screens. Mobile usability is the third most important ranking factor.
RESOURCE:?Mobile Usability
9. Load Time
Website load time is crucial for a blog post because people want things to load fast. If your blog takes too long to show up, visitors might leave out of impatience. A quicker load time keeps readers interested. They’re more likely to stay and explore. In addition, load time is a key ranking factor for Google.
RESOURCE:?Load Time Test
10. Content Structure
Content structure is important for a blog post because it helps organize your information clearly. Think of it like building blocks – arranging your content in a clear order makes it easier to digest. Readers can follow along without getting lost. A good structure with the use of H1, H2 and H3 tags helps search engines know what your post is about. So, having a well-organized content structure makes your blog easy to read and helps it get indexed by search engines.
RESOURCE:?How To Build Your Website Architecture
Conclusion
The key to increasing your online visibility and driving more traffic to your website is by optimizing your blog posts for SEO. Imagine your blog posts appearing at the top of search engine results, bringing in a steady stream of new customers and increasing your online presence.
Enterprise Sales Director at Zoho | Enabling Business Success with Scalable CRM & Digital Transformation Solutions
1 年Thanks for sharing this Thomas
Empowering small business with: Comprehensive Digital Solutions, Web Development, Graphic Design, Branding, & Marketing ?? Huff & puff & blow that old website down to make your branding oink! ??
1 年As much as I enjoy the blog writing creating the visual is still my favorite part.
ATS Resumes | LinkedIn? Branding | Pivots & Reinventions | Keyword strategies to beat the bots | Data-driven decision-making | Strategic Job Search Tactics | Career Education | Techie Boomer Cheerleader
1 年Great tips here Thomas Knoble! Im going to re-read this one!