Let's Talk About SEO Content Writing

Photo by Super Snapper on Unsplash

So, you want to conquer the digital realm and make Google bow down to your website? Welcome to the mystical and often misunderstood world of SEO content writing.

This isn't just about throwing a bunch of keywords onto a page and hoping for the best—oh no, my friend. It's about weaving the perfect blend of compelling content and strategic optimization to charm search engines and human readers alike.

Many people think if you simply look up a few keywords and stuff your blogs with them, you'll climb the ranks.

Ha! If only it were that easy. In reality, SEO is a careful balance between quality content and research-based search development. I’ve worked with plenty of clients who saw their traffic plummet even though they “used all the right words!”

Why? Because they weren’t creating content that people actually want to read and use. And when people aren’t reading, Google ain’t indexing.

What Is SEO?

First, let's go back to basics - what exactly is SEO?

Short for Search Engine Optimization, SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website and its content to rank higher in search engine results.

Or, as I like to tell clients, it's the art and science of getting Google to fall in love with your website.

To understand SEO, you need to think like a search engine. And search engines think as people search. They want to provide the best and most relevant results for a user's query.

So, if you want your website to be one of those top results, you need to create content that both search engines and users will find valuable.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

What Is SEO Content?

Okay, repeat after me: "There's no such thing as SEO optimization." Because that means you're saying "Search Engine Optimization optimization" and that just sounds silly.

The term SEO content is often used to describe any type of content created with search engine optimization in mind. This can include blog posts, product descriptions, landing pages, and more.

But really, all good content should have some level of SEO consideration. It's about achieving a balance between creating valuable and engaging content for human readers while also using strategic keywords and techniques to improve search engine rankings.

Here are some of the most common SEO content pieces I help clients with:

• Blog posts: These are great for driving organic traffic and establishing your brand as a thought leader in your industry.

• Product descriptions: A well-written product description can not only entice potential buyers, but also help improve your website's overall SEO.

• Landing pages: These are designed to convert visitors into leads or customers, so having strong SEO elements is key to drawing in the right audience.

• Case studies and white papers: These types of content can help establish credibility and authority in your niche and attract backlinks from other websites.

Writing for SEO

Now that you have a better understanding of SEO content, let's talk about how to actually write it. Here are some of the top elements of typical SEO content:

• Keyword research: This involves identifying the most relevant keywords and phrases for your industry and target audience. Incorporating these strategically into your content can improve search engine rankings.

• User intent: Remember, search engines want to provide the best results for users. So make sure your content aligns with what your target audience is searching for.

• Title tags and meta descriptions: These are the snippets of text that appear in search engine results, so make sure they are clear, concise, and contain relevant keywords.

• Quality content: Ultimately, the most important factor in SEO content is creating high-quality, valuable content for your readers. Make sure to prioritize engaging and informative content over keyword stuffing or other tactics.

Typically, you'll want to aim for a keyword density of 1-3% and sprinkle in relevant keywords and variations throughout your content. But don't sacrifice the quality of your writing just to fit in more keywords.

Beyond what you write, there are some technical elements that can also impact SEO, such as website loading speed, mobile optimization, and backlinks from other reputable sites. (We'll leave those topics for another day, though.)

Show Me!

Let's walk through how I would typically write a piece of SEO content for a fictional company called "Garden Goods". Let's imagine that Garden Goods is a local gardening store, looking to improve their online visibility and attract more customers through their website.

Step 1: Getting To Know The Brand

Before we even start researching what people are searching for, it's important to understand the brand itself. What makes Garden Goods unique? Who is their target audience?

In this case, Garden Goods prides themselves on selling locally-sourced, organic products and providing personalized gardening advice to customers. Their target audience is likely homeowners and avid gardeners in the local community.

Step 2: Researching Keywords

Now that we have a better understanding of Garden Goods' brand and target audience, we can start researching relevant keywords. This involves using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to see what terms people are searching for related to gardening and local businesses.

Some potential keywords for Garden Goods could be:

• "Organic gardening supplies"

• "Local gardening store"

• "Garden center near me"

• "Expert gardening advice"

Step 3: Crafting the Content

Once we have a list of keywords, we can start crafting our content. Remember to aim for a keyword density of 1-3% and incorporate variations of your chosen keywords throughout the text.

For example, a blog post titled "10 Tips for Successful Organic Gardening" could include mentions of terms like "organic gardening supplies" and "expert gardening advice", while also providing valuable information for readers interested in these topics.

This type of content can also be shared on social media to attract more visitors to the website.

Step 4: Utilizing Local SEO

Since Garden Goods is a local business, it's important to utilize local search engine optimization (SEO) tactics.

This includes optimizing the website with location-specific keywords and creating a Google My Business listing. Encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google or other review sites can also help improve the store's online visibility.

Step 5: Create, Publish, Curate, Repeat

Consistency is key when it comes to content creation. In addition to creating original content, Garden Goods can also curate relevant articles or videos from other sources and share them on their social media platforms.

This not only provides valuable information for their audience but also helps establish the store as a knowledgeable and helpful resource in the community.

By following these steps and continuously creating publishing, and curating content, Garden Goods can attract more local customers and establish itself as the go-to destination for all things gardening in its community.

So, Will You SEO?

Whether you're a local business like Garden Goods or a global company, SEO still matters to help your website rank higher on search engine results pages.

By implementing these tips for optimizing your website and creating quality content, you can improve your online presence and attract more potential customers to your business.

Want to learn more about how quality SEO content can help put your website at the top of search engine results? Contact me today for a consultation and lets grow your online presence together!