6 Ways To Improve SEO For Your Blog

If you already have a blog, you have heard the term Search Engine Optimization (SEO) before.  I am sure you even know bits and pieces about SEO.  However, since SEO strategies constantly change due to the latest algorithms, it is best to have the most up-to-date information at your fingertips.

SEO strategies play a vital role in effective digital marketing strategies.  These strategies apply to any online business or blog.  So let’s review some SEO strategies, so you have the latest information available.  Consider this an adventure and enjoy the ride.

Why Do You Need To Learn SEO

Paying attention to SEO strategies and implementing them will benefit your website by improving your ranking.  When you improve your rankings, the result is increased visibility, more traffic, and attracting more customers and visitors.

It can feel insurmountable trying to increase organic traffic.  This process is not easy, but it is doable with consistent implementation of strategies.  I have been blogging for more than a decade, and it sometimes can seem daunting to try and keep up to date with the latest changes.

Improving SEO

We will review several steps you can implement to improve your website’s SEO.  If you cannot focus on all strategies, focus on one until you become an expert at that skill, then add in another.  Strive to keep improving, and as long as you are still moving forward, learning, and implementing, you will see growth.  You can always connect with someone or an agency that is an SEO expert to assist you with your site.

#1 Consistent and Fresh Content

To keep visitors returning to your blog, you must provide them what they are looking for.  To meet their needs, they will expect consistency.  Being consistent doesn’t mean posting every day necessarily, but it does mean that if you post articles three days a week, try and stick with that schedule.  Visitors want to know when to find you and where.  

Your content should not only be consistent but should be fresh and relevant.  Make sure you know what the newest trends are and build your content off what is trending.  This strategy will keep visitors coming.  Have you heard the phrase “content is king?” Well, this saying is definitely true.

Did you know you can recycle your own content to create fresh content?  You sure can.  Perhaps you published a recipe five years ago.  Maybe your photography wasn’t the greatest back then.  Republish the recipe, adding additional details, updated photos, and even a video.

#2 Keyword Strategies

You can write and publish as much as you can but still not receive visitors unless you implement a keyword strategy.  When you are writing, consider what someone may be typing into a browser.  How would you expect a potential visitor to find you?

Keyword optimization is a huge aspect of any SEO strategy. Keywords are used to help search engines understand what the website and articles include. In addition, the appropriate keywords will allow browsers to index your content.  Indexed content can help drive traffic to your site.

Please understand that more keywords are not necessarily better.  That used to work with the algorithms, but now Google considers that keyword stuffing.  The keywords need to be organically placed within the articles.  Google will penalize your ranking if you use keyword stuffing as a strategy.

#3 Link building

Internal and external links are essential for SEO.  Internal links are the links on your site.  For example, if I am creating an article about building a desk, I may include a link to my own site to an article about building chairs.  External links are links from my site on other sites (backlinks).  Just like keywords, the link placement should be organic and relevant.

#4 Article SEO Features

If you are using WordPress, you see features like Title, Header options, Meta Title, Meta Description, and more.  Do not ignore these features.  Each of them contributes to SEO in their own way.  Keywords should tie into your title.  Your URL should not be too short or too long.  If you have a long title, shorten your URL manually.  The Meta information is the snippet that Google uses to describe the content in the URL.  Use this information to summarize your content to grab the attention of visitors.

#5 SSL Certificates

SSL certificates are a form of public key infrastructure (PKI) designed to keep your site secure.  A secure site allows visitors to know they can trust you with their information.  For a website, this SSL certificate appears in the URL as HTTPS://.  The “s” stands for secure.  Without the “s,” your URL will have an open padlock appearing next to it, signifying your site is not secure.  PKI management can help you with your website security concerns.

#6 Images

Your articles should have at least one relevant image, and high-quality images are better for ranking.  When inserting your images into your content, do not forget to include relevant alt tags.  This is a step that is often missed but very crucial.

What’s Next

If these steps seem daunting for you, take baby steps.  Grab one strategy a week, practice it until it becomes a habit, and move on to the next strategy.  In no time, you will be ready to learn more strategies and continue to improve.