An expert guide on how to write SEO-friendly blog posts in 2024
SEO-friendly content is written with the intention of ranking on the first page of search engines like Google.
It is optimised for specific target keywords, is easy to read and provides value to the reader.
Let’s get into our detailed guide on SEO blog writing in 2024.
Step 1: Conduct thorough keyword research
Before you start content writing, it’s a good idea to search for topics to cover in your blog. Pay attention to what information you want to convey; the more relevant the subject, the more clicks the blog will get. Another benefit of researching before writing a new blog is finding keywords closely related to the topic. With the help of a research tool, like Google Keyword Planner, you can gain a clear view of target keywords and use them naturally. Ensure you conduct keyword research periodically to ensure you’re still focusing on the right keywords for your target audience and not missing out on vital ranking opportunities.Step 2: Ensure high-quality and valuable content
Craft informative and well-researched content that addresses the needs of your audience. When optimising content for search engines, the more value you provide, the longer users will stay on your page. This signals to search engines that your content is relevant. Hunter & Scribe, content writers in Australia, specialise in copywriting for property and finance professionals.Step 3: Place keywords strategically
Another important tip to boost SEO scores on blog posts is using keywords. You can use closely related keywords to increase the content quality while writing your SEO blog posts.
Avoid keyword stuffing and strategically place keywords in the title, introduction, subheadings and conclusion.
If you’re a mortgage broker, an example of keywords to use in a title would be “Why mortgage brokers are better than banks”, with the keywords being “mortgage brokers” and “better than banks”.
Keywords to use in the subheading might be: “What is a mortgage broker?” and “Benefits of using a mortgage broker”.
Step 4: Use engaging titles and headings
Create compelling titles and headings to grab attention and convey the essence of your content. A good title helps search engines quickly identify the content of a blog and relate it to relevant keywords. Having a properly optimised title is crucial as this is what Google sees first when scanning your article. A SEO title should have a length of 55-60 characters, so the search engine results pages display it fully. This will ensure it is not split or broken on the results page, whether accessed on mobile devices or desktop platforms. For a lender, a useful SEO title might be “The pros and cons of variable-rate home loans”. When creating SEO-friendly headings, ensure you use only one H1 tag on your blog post. This H1 tag is usually the same as the article’s title. Use headings in their hierarchical order i.e. H1, H2, H3. The H2 heading separates the introduction from the main content and the conclusion. The H3 tag is used for subheadings that fall under the various parts of the article. By splitting the content with these different heading styles, readers will understand the information conveyed. Making the post as skimmable as possible should be the goal when using headings. When writing headings, include a keyword or two. Use Hunter & Scribe’s article writing services for property and finance web content creation.Step 5: Enhance readability and formatting
Good SEO writing directly answers the search intent. This means that a well-formatted article with short paragraphs, bullet-points and subheadings is ideal to keep your audience engaged for longer.
Good formatting can also help search engine algorithms identify key points in your content, providing an opportunity to target a featured snippet in search results.
Mobile-responsive engaging content also enhances the reading experience on smaller screens, helping you to optimise your site for mobile devices.
Step 6: Optimise images and multimedia
Content marketing is more enticing when images, video or infographics are involved.
Ensure images and multimedia elements are optimised with descriptive file names and alt text (alternative text).
Alt text describes what’s happening in the image and helps Google understand why the image is in your post.
Another benefit of using a title text is that by including keywords, Google can pick up on these descriptive triggers and give the page a higher ranking.
Step 7: Add internal and external links
Linking to other pages or blog posts on your website helps search engines create an accurate sitemap.
It also helps your audience discover more of your content and get to know you as a trustworthy, credible source of information.
On the user side, internal links to other valuable content keeps readers on your site longer, reducing bounce rate and increasing your potential for a conversion.
Linking to reputable websites offers blog readers additional reading material to expand their knowledge and shows search engines that you’ve done your research.
Nothing strengthens a blog post like research-backed statistics from influential websites. Compelling stats help you build a more convincing argument that will help you gain trust from your readers.
For example, if you were an accountant, you might write a blog about how payroll tax and industrial relations policies were affecting your state’s economy. The blog could include Chamber of Commerce and Industry data and it could link to a report on their website.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the time or skill to create and research web content like blog posts or website text. Sydney-based finance and property copywriting agency Hunter & Scribe can do that for you.Step 8: Use meta descriptions
Meta descriptions are crucial to creating a SEO-friendly blog post as they act as a more in-depth view of the article.
A meta description tag should generally be less than 200 characters for maximum efficiency. Google sometimes displays the description under the title link on the results page. Writing a precise and catchy meta description is a good idea to entice readers to click on your blog post.
Step 9: Create evergreen content
Evergreen content, unlike news or trending topics, is content that’s always relevant and useful to your target audience. Focus on timeless topics your visitors will still find valuable years after they’re covered. Looking for high-quality evergreen content for your website? Contact Hunter & Scribe for help writing your website text and blogs.Step 10: Ensure consistent content updates
Regularly updating your blog posts or web pages shows search engine algorithms that your site is active and the content is relevant and up to date.
Keep tabs on industry trends and make necessary updates to your existing content periodically.
Conclusion
In 2024, effective SEO copywriting involves delivering valuable information in a user-friendly format. Beyond keyword research, focus on improving readability and using evergreen content.
Stay updated on SEO trends and craft compelling meta descriptions. Following these blogging tips will help you create content that ranks well, attracts quality traffic and addresses readers’ questions.
