Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is all about the methodology that is used to increase internet traffic to your website. So picture it. You want to do some organic gardening, and you’re looking for some information from the folks who know a whole lot more about it than you do. You sit down to the computer and you probably Google “organic gardening.” You know how you end up with about 73,231 blogs and sites that offer information?
Here’s the deal: The sites that have the strongest SEO come up first, thus they are looked at most often. The sites on the 23rd page of the search? Um, not so much love for them, huh?
So how do writers snag those coveted “top spots?”
Let’s take it to step by step:
The most commonly known search engine is Google, but you’ve also probably heard about Google Chrome, Bing, Yahoo!, and others. There are lots of tools, tactics, and rhetorical applications with which you can experiment so that when someone who is in one of these search engines and is looking for insight that you offer, your blog pops up in higher placement on that long list of “hits” and blogs that appear. Your goal is to get as many visitors to your site as possible, right?
Then take note of this equation:
Awesome Content + Cool Links = Higher SEO results
Got it?
Okay, so let’s kick it up one more notch. Pause for a minute and really wrap your head around this concise, easy to understand comic strip about how SEO works. Read it twice, and read it slowly.
Go on. We’ll grab a coffee and be right here when you get back.
So — yes, links are like “recommendations.” Google recognizes that comic strip link in the previous paragraph that you could (or did) click on, and that drives up the likelihood that this very article you are reading will be pushed “up” in the search engine results.
What are the simplest and best ways to incorporate SEO strategies into your blog and ultimately to increase your Search Engine Results Page (SERP) in a truly ethical way? Read on.
1. Use sharp, wisely chosen, and thought-provoking visuals.
They matter. The human eye gravitates to images first and words second. Grab their eyeballs with fascinating, interesting, and simply cool eye candy.
2. Keep the most engaging content and links above the fold.
Yes, people scroll. But they’ll scroll down to read more if you’ve successfully grabbed their attention upon first glance. Strive for excellent reader-engagement strategies in that first paragraph.
3. Include an Author Markup
You know how there are face shots of various writers on the web? They’re the ones who are rapidly increasing their SEO results, because -– as noted in #1 — people like images.
When you do an Author Markup, you’re also giving your readers a chance to click on “More by [Your Name Here].” Give them a great picture of you to look at, and the odds will increase that they’ll click on a bunch of your blogs.
4. Questions and Answers and Blogs, Oh My!
Q and A sites like Yahoo! Answers, and Answers.com are a great way for you to attain credibility and to get your (hyperlinked) name out there. The trick here is to provide some sage insights for the questions that actually haven’t gotten a lot of attention. Look for some that have only two to five answers, and give it your best shot to provide worthy and helpful responses. It’s a win-win for both of you.
5. Most importantly, Link to Relevant, Worthy, and Interesting Links
Consider these easy tips to keep driving the traffic right where you want it to go, and you’ll be increasing your readership before you know it. Be your own best marketing agent and advocate by putting a bit more thought into increasing your SEO results!