People are looking for information online. Blogging is an inexpensive and effective way to feed the need for credible information. But beyond providing quality content, savvy marketers know that blogging can enhance brand credibility, increase web traffic, boost engagement with your target audience, and convert leads into paying customers. But if no one knows your blog exists, what’s the point? Paid SEO might be an option for some organizations, but not for many.
Here are some cost-effective tips to increase your blog effectiveness and boost your blog’s ranking with search engines:
- Optimize your title. Your blog’s title is the first item search engines and your readers see. Therefore, it is critical to include a keyword in the first 65 characters of the headline. Google Trends can help you explore topics and see what people are searching for in your industry.
- Grow your keyword tail. Optimizing your blog posts for keywords is not about stuffing content with as many keywords as possible. Instead, focus on one or two long-tail keywords in each post. Long-tail keywords are the three- and four-word phrases that are very specific to whatever you are selling. Identify the phrases that your target audience is searching for and incorporate those into your posts.
- Include external links to reputable sites. Including links to external sources in your blog leverages the power of the internet, adds credibility to your site and boosts ranking, especially when linked to authoritative sites. But don’t just add links for the sake of including them. Be sure you only include links to information that your visitors will find relevant.
- Build your social-media presence. While Google doesn’t pay special attention to social-media channels like Facebook and Twitter, it does consider content on those outlets just like any other webpage. Additionally, social media channels act as search engines, too. By posting links to your blog, you can maximize the positive effects of ever-expanding social-media opportunities.
- Get media exposure. The power of positive press is undeniable. But when it comes to search engines, bylined articles, webinars and press mentions are an excellent way to boost organic rankings. First, the outlet itself will likely promote its own content through social media. This exposure to a wider audience increases the chances that others will share and link to your content. When the article is shared on a high-trust site, Google recognizes it as a positive indicator that the content should have higher search visibility.
When done correctly, organic search can be a major source of traffic for business blogs. Create a blog that features customer-centric content, and your posts will be relevant, shareable and the search rank will follow. To learn more about creating blogs that drive revenue, contact Trade Press Services.