SEO or search engine optimization stays at the top of the priority for most businesses and individuals these days as it helps the websites rank better on the search engine result pages (SERP). Therefore, SEO writing has become more important than ever to let the brands or the websites grow more fruitfully with better visibility and online presence in the market. Let’s take a better look at it. 

What is SEO writing?

SEO writing refers to the process of writing content that is intended to rank higher on search engines like Google and others based on the keywords. It involves, 

• Optimizing content for relevant keywords

• Making sure the content can help the readers 

• Letting search engines understand what your content is all about

Why SEO writing is important?

SEO writing is highly important as it helps to reach people who would be interested in your content. SEO-enriched content has a higher chance of getting discovered on Google. It helps to bring more web traffic as well as online engagement to the website. It works like a bridge that connects search engine users with your content and makes it noticed by the target audiences. Let’s find a few effective tips that can help in optimizing the content.

12 effective tips to craft SEO-optimized Content 

1. Find the Primary Keyword

Before you start writing, it is important to determine the primary keyword. It refers to the main term of the phrase based on which your content will optimized. It helps to improve the chances of your content showing up on the search engines with every relevant search result. To find the keyword, you can use any online tool or Google Keyword Planner that helps to find high search volume keywords that are trendy in the market based on the niche industry. The primary keyword should have, 

• Relevance to your content 

• Decent search volume 

• Capabilities to be within the ranking 

2. Opt for the Secondary Keyword

Secondary keywords and closely related to the primary keyword which may include related subtopics, synonyms, or long-tail variations of the primary keyword that is already chosen. Secondary keywords can also help to improve ranking as they have less competition than the primary ones. You can also utilize the most search questions by the users to incorporate your secondary keyword. That way, you can provide users with exactly what they are looking for.

3. Satisfying Search Intent

Once you have opted for the keywords, the content must satisfy the search intent; the reason why a user is looking for such content. In the case of blog posts, the primary keyword is most likely to have informational intent, to offer information to learn and educate. Some of common most searched content are, 

• How-to guides

• List posts

• Step-by-step tutorials

• Definition posts

• Comparison posts

Look for which content type works for you or your business based on the top-ranking pages on Google.

4. Create Good Quality Content

Quality is the core of SEO writing since poor content that is optimized can ruin your company’s reputation and not provide beneficial results. Focusing on quality is also a practice of SEO that helps to rank higher on the search engine pages. Quality content refers to accurate content, provides value to the audience, and is original, engaging, and interactive. When it comes to topics like health and medical advice, legal matters, financial planning, or current events; Google ranks them with a higher standard as it can offer potential implications on readers’ lives. Poor-quality content can cause serious repercussions and therefore, you should never compromise with the quality of content. It can also help to gain the trust of the audience. 

5. Leverage Keywords in the Content

Incorporate the keywords that you have researched and found out to make the content rank better. It is an organic way of optimization. Search engines like Google will take peek a at your content and understand what it is about with the help of keywords. It helps to rank better however, there is a catch. Do not stuff too many keywords in your content which only makes it look spammy and even search engines would not approve of it. Keep it natural and try to manipulate the search engines to make your content rank higher. 

6. Structure the Content with Multiple Subheadings

Subheadings are like secondary headlines that help to break down your content into small sections. It is an age of micro-learning and users also like content which informative and well-organized. Subheads are highly important for SEO as it can help to, 

• Organize the content and make it readable and understandable for all 

• Try to use the keywords and other related terms in a natural way

• Allow online users to easily skim-read the whole content and find the information they have been looking for which denotes a better user or reader experience

7. Make it Easy to Read

Readability is one of the crucial factors of SEO writing as the key is to reach the maximum audience. The writing style and use of words are very important here since you need to make your content easy to read if you want to create a huge buzz. Here are some practices that you can follow to improve the readability of your content, 

• Use short sentences and paragraphs 

• Simple and clear language without any lingual barrier

• Use images and other visuals to make it attractive and impactful

• Utilize bullet points and numbered lists to provide information in a clear and concise way

8. Make Sure to Add Internal Links

Internal links are referred to the links that direct to other pages of your website. They help to navigate readers to other important information on the website. These links always help a writer to distribute link equity or offer the perfect ranking power. So, different pieces of content can rank higher. Make sure the anchor text is relevant to the linked content when you add internal links. The links must be natural and super relevant to the content which makes users read them. 

9. Optimize the Content for Featured Snippets

Google can show featured snippets of the primary and secondary keywords which brings a big opportunity to increase your visibility in the market. Featured Snippets refer to the short snippets that appear on the top of the Google search engine when you proceed with a query. Google usually pulls out the information from the top-ranking pages of content. You must also look for relevant snippets to optimize your content further. 

10. Craft an Optimized Title Tag

Google figures out content with its title tag and you should be extra careful while writing it. 

• Keep the title tag around 55 characters long

• The title tag must entice users to click with words, numbers, and brackets

• Make sure to incorporate your primary keyword at the beginning of the title tag

11. Compelling Meta Description

A meta description is a summary of the whole content that appears just below the title tag. Google might not always show the meta description and it is not even a direct ranking factor, yet it plays a vital role in content optimization that entices users to click on your content. Make sure to use active voice, action verbs, and the targeted keyword in the meta description. 

12. Optimize the URL Slug

The URL slug refers to the last part of the page’s URL that helps Google understand what topic the content covers. Include the primary keyword in the slug and use hyphens to separate the words. 

Bottom Line 

Now that you are aware of all the practices, you are ready to embark on your SEO writing journey. If you find it difficult to follow all these tips, you can always seek professional help for better guidance.