Imagefix Share With You 7 Easy Steps to SEO Success
Bill Gates declared that ‘Content is King’ two decades ago, and his assertion that content would drive web traffic holds true to this day. The blog was an early example of content’s online potential and it has certainly stood the test of time; a recent survey showed that 56% of marketers who leverage blogging say it’s effective and 10% say it generates the biggest return on investment.
The ongoing success of the blog may have something to do with the fact that publishing blogs is fairly straightforward and costs nothing. Getting your blogs in front of prospective clients is a little harder, as it involves Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). We’ve put together a quick and easy introduction to search engine optimisation for SEO success.
What is Search Engine Optimisation?
SEO is how you make your website content ‘search engine friendly’. It involves the application of a range of measures that make your site easier for search engines to read and understand. This makes it easier for search engines such as Google to match your site to online searches and drives up your ranking.
SEO blogging for business includes a range of factors that can positively influence the positioning of a site, such as researching relevant keywords, the creation of relevant content for your customers, the optimisation of images, and link building.
Blogging – 7 Steps to SEO Success
SEO marketing is a complex process that requires ongoing attention. There are, however a number of foundational principles that have the potential to improve your ranking and attract more readers.
1. Regular Content That’s Relevant
Search engines want to see fresh and original content. Web pages need to offer consistency for customers, but the publication of blog posts provides new and refreshing content. Regular business blogging allows you to demonstrate your expertise, and your understanding of your customer’s needs. Take a look at some examples of the kind of content you might like to include on your site.
2. The Use of Appropriate Keywords
Keywords are the phrases or terms that your customers use when looking for your product online. Some may be quite precise, and others – known as ‘long tail’ keywords – will offer a more vague description of what’s being looked for. Keywords are critical to search engines that are matching queries with appropriate responses. Sourcing relevant keywords is vital to a good ranking position.
3. Linking Strategies
There are 3 kinds of links that are important to SEO success:
- Internal Linking. This is when you link from the blog to other pages on the site, or to blogs that are relevant to the topic being discussed. Search engines read these links as a way of understanding how your business works.
- External Linking. Using high quality links to navigate readers to external sources, demonstrates an understanding of your sector, and networks that have authority within it.
- Backlinks. These are terrifically valuable as they demonstrate the respect your peers have for your business, and your opinions. Backlinks are created when another website links to yours as a resource for their readers.
4. Images
Blogs with images are eye-catching and they attract more readers than posts that just feature copy. 47% of blogs have 2-3 images, and those featuring 7 or more images get over 100% more attention than those will less. It’s important to remember that search engines can’t ‘see’ images, so you should complete the ‘alt-text’, using a keyword, so that they are read as part of the blog.
5. Video
Videos are an incredibly popular form of content for online searchers. The average time spent watching videos is now 100 minutes per day, which is why they’re regularly included in blog posts. The most watched video content is:
- Product videos
- ‘How to’ videos
- Testimonials
- Meet the team
6. Social Media
Google now looks to social media as an indicator of the quality and authority of blog posts. If other people, or businesses are tweeting about your blog, then the search engines will boost your SEO ranking. Before you invest in creating an account and posting regularly, make sure you’re sharing content on the platforms where your customers are likely to be.
7. Indexed Pages
Every blog needs to be indexed in order to be recognised by search engines as a new page on your website. The Imagefix content creators would recommend that your blogs are between 600-1,300 words, and are posted at regular intervals. 4 blogs per month is the minimum amount required for SEO success.
If you’re just starting out blogging, SEO can seem like something of a mystery that has to be cracked, but a heart it’s all about:
- Creating value for customers.
- Understanding your market and remaining competitive.
- Using your website as a marketing tool.
- Recognising that your customers are looking for you; they just need to know where you are!
If you like the sound of SEO success but don’t have the time, or skills, to create regular blogs for your website, then Imagefix can help. Give us a ring today on 01525 715608 to get started.
