Do you want more traffic from Google? You don’t need to be an SEO expert! Just follow these quick, actionable tips to create content that ranks and attracts customers.
- Complete at least SOME keyword research.
You need to have some idea of what people are searching for. You can use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest. One of our favorite methods is to simply do a Google search for your topic idea. Look at the top results. Click through to their webpage and see if you can identify common themes.
You can also start typing in the search bar, and Google will suggest search. These are based on what other users are searching for. It can be a great place to establish a solid primary keyword based on user data.
- Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g., “best coffee shop in Austin” instead of just “coffee”).
Broad terms may have more traffic, but they’re also significantly more competitive. It’s usually a lot harder to identify and match the intent with broader terms. Use specific, long-tail terms to establish a clear focus for your article. - Make Your Content Easy to Read
Nobody likes a wall of text. Break it up with short paragraphs, bullet points and headings (H1, H2, H3). This makes it easier to skim and keeps visitors on your page longer. - Answer questions and be helpful
Google rewards helpful, valuable content. Answer customer questions, solve problems and write in a conversational tone. Use the special “SERP features” within search results like the “People Also Ask” section. These are a great source of common questions related to your topic.
- Optimize Your Title and Meta Description
Your title tag is the first thing people see on Google. Make it clear, engaging and include your keyword. Your meta description should explain more about the content and encourage clicks.
Recommended Reading: What Are Meta Tags in SEO? The Complete Beginners Guide
- Use Internal Links to Keep Visitors Engaged
Link to other relevant pages on your website to keep visitors on your site longer. It also helps search engines better understand your site and its content. Be sure to include relevant anchor text on your internal links.
Example: Check out our guide to local SEO for more tips.
- Use Keyword Variations Naturally in Headings and Throughout Your Content
You don’t need to stuff keywords everywhere, but it is important to make it clear what your main topic is. Include your main keyword in:
- The URL, meta title and h1
- The first paragraph
- At least one subheading
- Naturally throughout the body text
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Use High-Quality Images (With Alt Text!)
Images make your content more engaging. But don’t forget to add alt text (a short description of the image) so Google can understand it.Example Alt text: “Small business owner working on SEO strategy.”
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Update Your Content Regularly
Google loves fresh content. Update old blog posts, add new stats and keep things relevant to stay competitive in search rankings. Including years throughout your article is a great way to indicate updated content to users and search engines.
Use These SEO Content Writing Tips for More Effective Content
SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. Select a specific keyword, focus on writing helpful content, make it easy to read and optimize key elements like titles, headings and links.
