Search Engine Optimization or SEO is highly important in the world of digital marketing. Whether you are a content writer or a business owner or anyone else who wants to promote your business online, you should know what SEO is all about and how to get the maximum out of it. Because it is a great way to promote your business economically. So, let’s find out what you need to know about SEO and how to make the most of it.
What is Search Engine Optimization?
SEO is a method of writing content that helps you to get more traffic through search engines such as Google. It is a broad subject and you can’t define it in a few words and within an hour or two. You can achieve it in more than just one way. Anyhow, it always helps you keep your audience engaged. That means ultimately you will get more prospects for your business. So, keep on reading and learn some best practices of SEO.
What are Keywords?
They are words or phrases related to your topic, that are ranked high by search engines. When a prospect types a keyword on the search bar that you have used in your article, he will be able to access your article. Even a well-written article will not appear on the screen if it does not contain any keywords.
How to find keywords?
By using tools like Google Keyword Planner you can research and find keywords free of charge. If you use these keywords properly you will be able to improve your rank on Google and other search engines.
Meta Title & Description
Meta titles and descriptions appear as results when you search the Internet using search engines. You can write them directly if you are using WordPress to write articles. Make sure the meta title and meta description are original and also, they include the main keyword.
Main Heading
You can have only one H1 heading (which is the main heading of your article). Also, avoid large images. This is because they take a long time to load and Google doesn’t like slow sites. Finally, to check if your writing meets with the above basic SEO requirements you can use a tool like SEOquake. This is a free Google Chrome extension. If you have links to well-recognized sites in your article, Google will consider your article important and will high-rank it. This will also keep the reader online longer. Further, make sure that your codes are error-free and also it is easily downloadable, and that the domain is easy to crawl, too. This requires some technical knowledge and therefore all writers cannot and do not have to abide by these rules.
Why Do Some Say SEO is Dead and Gone?
SEO keeps changing with time like everything else around us. So, what was relevant 10 years back is not applicable today. That’s the reason why some people believe SEO is dead. The solution is to keep learning the latest stuff so that your knowledge will not be outdated. The good thing about SEO is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on it. Actually, it’s almost free and quite effective as well. Moreover, it is better than most other more expensive marketing options. Due to this reason, we can assume that SEO will have a long life.
How Soon Can You Learn SEO?
If you are smart enough you can learn it within a week. Of course, you can’t be an expert within 7 days. It would take much longer as it is a broad subject. Practice makes perfect and you should keep practicing until you master the subject. And you can learn it by yourself, too. By reading useful articles on the subject and watching YouTube you will be able to know all about it. Many people have done so and so can you.
Best Practices
Use active voice
It is easier to understand and also more attractive than passive voice.
Avoid long, complicated sentences
This will make your writing more reader-friendly. So, make it short and sweet.
Avoid technical terms
Anybody should be able to understand what you write unless you are targeting a specific audience.
Be original and avoid plagiarism
What you write should be unique. You should have something new for your reader. That would make your article worth reading.
Use keywords properly.
Don’t overuse or underuse them. Once per 200 words would be ideal. If not, Google will not approve your articles.
Make your articles 1,000 words or longer
This would keep the reader online longer and would please Google. At the same time make writing worth reading. Just writing lengthy articles will be of no use.
Have an attractive Title
Unless your title is eye-catching nobody would bother to read it, no matter how interesting the article may be. Get the reader interested from the very beginning in what you have to say.
Give a clear, complete answer to the reader
You owe the reader a clear answer early in the article because you have made him curious and he expects a clear and direct answer from you without much delay.
Encourage them to read the rest of the article as well
Get them interested in reading till the end of the article. If not, he might stop halfway through. And all your efforts would be in vain.
Avoid using unnecessary words
Select your words carefully. Don’t use too many words as that would make your article boring. Have something meaningful to tell the reader. You can always get ideas by researching. Read a few good articles related to the topic you are writing. But avoid plagiarism at any cost.