Category: On-page SEO

Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help businesses connect with customers in their area. For small businesses with limited resources, staying relevant in the local market can provide a crucial competitive edge. To connect with local customers actively searching for your services, you need to leverage the power of local SEO. Local SEO involves optimizing your website and organic listings to attract customers, boost brand awareness and visibility, drive foot traffic, and ultimately increase sales.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO involves optimizing a business’s website to improve its visibility in searches for location-specific keywords. It involves targeting users in a specific geographical area by implementing strategies, including:

• Optimizing local keywords and geo-location keywords
• Managing GBP (Google Business Profile) listings
• Managing customer reviews

If a customer is searching for a product or service in a specific location, local SEO helps your small business rank higher in the search results.

Why is Local SEO Important for Small Businesses?

Local SEO is invaluable for small businesses, because it can help you reach a highly targeted audience who are actively searching for the products or services you offer. Using local SEO allows you to maximize your resources and focus your SEO efforts. This strategy helps you focus on your local community and attract repeat customers. Here are some of the benefits of Local SEO:

Increased Visibility in Local SERPs

Local SEO activities, including local citations and link building, improve your chances of showing up on the first page of search engine results, making your business easily discoverable to new customers. Most people trust businesses that are on the first page, especially when they are choosing a new service provider. When done properly, local SEO efforts can help your business show up in these results and even be highlighted in the map pack.

Improved Credibility and Brand Awareness

Local SEO efforts involve updating your business’s GBP listing and optimizing your presence on Yelp and other local business directories. These efforts, as well as higher rankings on the first page of results, increase your credibility with potential customers. Positive reviews and accessible, accurate information about your business increase the likelihood that new customers will choose you.

Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy

Search engines display geographically relevant results, which is why local SEO efforts are one of the most effective uses of your resources. Local searches also tend to have commercial intent, meaning that they are more likely to generate relevant leads. This is why local SEO generates better results compared to traditional SEO efforts that optimize for more generalized terms.

Visibility in Mobile Searches

A recent study noted that 82% of customers use their mobile to conduct “near me” searches. If your website is optimized for local searches and mobile users, you will be able to connect with users who are actively searching for a business on the go. This is one of the best ways to stay relevant in your area and help new customers find you fast.

Competitive Edge

Local search results are often less saturated, giving small businesses an opportunity to gain visibility and compete effectively within their target market. Larger businesses and national chains are less likely to focus their efforts on local optimization. Optimizing for local search helps small businesses attract highly relevant and targeted traffic, increasing conversion and generating more qualified leads.

Higher Foot Traffic and Sales

Prominent local visibility in searches, maps, and navigation apps helps drive more foot traffic to your location. Relevant traffic through local SEO strategies increases the chances of sales and ultimately helps you achieve higher conversion rates.

Key Local SEO Strategies for Small Businesses

While some of the principles of local SEO, such as keyword research and on-page optimization, are the same as any SEO strategy, there are additional strategies and specific modifications that can make your local SEO campaign more effective.

1. Google Business Profile (GBP) & Maps Optimization

Start by optimizing your Google Business Profile listing, Yelp business listing, and any social media profiles you actively manage. To optimize your GBP, pay attention to the following elements:

• Your Business Name: Optimize your business name and make it consistent across all listings.
• Location: Update your physical address and format it consistently across all platforms. If applicable, add a suite or building number as well. If you don’t have a physical address, define your service area within your listings to let your customers know if your services are available in their location.
• Operation Hours: Update your hours of operation on all listings to avoid confusion.
• Category: Choose the business category that is most relevant to your business. This will impact your visibility in local search results.
• Services/Products: In your listings, concisely outline the products or services your business offers and add informative descriptions.
• Images: Add high-quality images of your business or services to create a positive impression and stand out in the listings.
• Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your local listings and respond to all reviews, positive or negative, to demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Google prioritizes these factors when choosing three businesses to display in a Local Map Pack near the top of search results:

• Proximity: How close your business is to the search area
• Relevance: How relevant your business is to a search
• Prominence: How well-recognized your business or service is in the online reviews

Optimizing your GBP with the steps mentioned above helps increase your chance of ranking in the Local Map Pack, allowing customers to find your business quickly and easily.

2. Apple Maps Optimization

iPhone users use Apple Maps 3x more than Google Maps. Apple Maps data also powers the results for searches made using Siri. So, it’s important to optimize your business’s information, including hours of operation, appointment and reservation links, directions, and reviews, in Apple Maps as well as Google Maps.

3. Local Keyword Research

Local searches have specific keywords that indicate search intent. Conduct keyword research to discover relevant keywords with specific search volume data for your location. Some of the most common phrases used in local searches include the following:

• “near me”
• “in [city]”
• “[service] + [neighborhood name]”

These phrases generate search results focused on a specific regional location and attract highly qualified leads with clear purchase intent. If you operate in more than one location, you can also create pages targeting local keywords for each of the relevant locations.

4. Citations & Link Building

Local citations are a critical factor in ranking your small local business within the Local Map Pack. Citations on websites or directories must be accurate and consistent. Make sure that your website name, link, hours, address, and phone number are accurate in any directory or listing.

Another important ranking factor for local organic searches is the number of qualitative, relevant, and natural backlinks you have. Here are some organic methods to increase your backlinks:

• Reaching out to local organizations for backlinks from their websites. These organizations have high domain authority, making their backlinks very valuable.
• Sending local press releases to radio stations and local news websites.
• Identifying businesses in your local area that offer complementary services or products but do not directly compete with you and requesting backlinks on their websites.

Although getting backlinks can be difficult and time-consuming, it enriches your websites and helps increase online visibility for various local keywords.

5. Review Filtering and Responses 

It’s important to pay attention to any reviews you receive online. First, filter out spam or fake reviews so they don’t hurt your business’s reputation or local search campaign. Remember, quantity and quality matter when it comes to Google reviews.

Here are some tips for managing reviews effectively:

• Ask your customers to leave a review on your GBP and other directories.
• Never pay for reviews.
• Respond to and engage with incoming reviews. If you receive any negative comments, rectify the situation rather than ignoring them.
• Always thank customers who take the time to leave a positive review.
• Display positive reviews prominently on your website to build trust and credibility.

6. Voice Search Optimization

20% of all Google searches are now conducted on mobile devices through voice search. Optimizing your website for voice searches can help increase local traffic. This involves identifying the language used in voice searches, which is often conversational. Make sure to provide specific facts that can be displayed in answer to common queries.

Common Local SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Some common mistakes can reduce the effectiveness of your local SEO efforts. Here are the most common local SEO mistakes to avoid:

Not Optimizing for Google Maps

If you haven’t optimized your business for Google Maps, you may not appear in the Local Map Pack or voice search results.

Outpace Curated Actionable Tip: Verify your business locations in the directory so that your location gets listed on Google Maps.

Inconsistent Business Information

If the search algorithm scans multiple sources and finds discrepancies between information such as your business’s name, address, and phone number, you will have less authority or rank in the wrong area.

Outpace Curated Actionable Tip: The details matter more than you think, so take extra time to verify that your local GBP listing is correct in every location.

Incomplete Keyword Research

Using incomplete keywords or not using relevant keywords in your business listings hinders your search visibility and, more importantly, conversions.

Outpace Curated Actionable Tip

• Incorporate keywords naturally into your website content, including meta tags and business listings.
• Use geo-based, less competitive keywords that your target audience uses when searching for your products and services.

Ignoring Customer Reviews and Feedback

Google ratings are based on your customers’ positive feedback, negative or critical feedback, and feedback that is ‘unavailable’ (i.e., older reviews or reviews that are missing information). If you do not respond to the reviews and feedback or do not have any reviews, this can hurt your credibility.

Outpace Curated Actionable Tip: Respond to every review within 24 hours to retain customers and build credibility.

Not Targeting the Right Audience

Failing to understand and target your local market can lead to ineffective SEO strategies and poor engagement with potential customers.

Outpace Curated Actionable Tips

• Develop an understanding of your local market and target audience by conducting thorough research.
• Utilize local keywords and create localized content to tailor your SEO strategy to your community.

How to Measure Local SEO Success?

Once you implement local SEO efforts, it can take time for them to provide results. Here are some ways to track the success of your campaign:

Local Search Rankings

Monitor your position in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant local keywords. Google Search Console and third-party SEO tools can help track these rankings over time.

Monitoring your position in the local pack and organic results for relevant keywords provides insights into the effectiveness of your SEO strategies. Consistent improvements in these rankings indicate successful optimization efforts.

Website Traffic from Local Searches

Use Google Analytics to analyze the amount of traffic coming to your website from organic, local searches. An increase in local traffic signals that your strategies are driving more potential customers to your site.

Conversion Rates

Measure the rate at which local visitors from local searches take a conversion action while visiting your website, such as booking an appointment or contacting you. Tracking these conversion rates helps determine if the traffic generated is successfully generating new leads. High conversion rates from local traffic indicate successful targeting and optimization efforts.

Use Local SEO to Get Ahead 

All in all, local SEO is essential for small business growth because it enhances online visibility, drives targeted traffic, and increases customer engagement within your local market. By focusing on website traffic from local searches and conversion rates, businesses can ensure their SEO strategies are driving tangible results. At Outpace SEO, we offer comprehensive local SEO services designed to help small businesses achieve their growth goals, stand out in local search results, and drive more traffic and conversions.

Schedule a consultation with us today!

Are you new to SEO and overwhelmed by all the jargon around keyword research? It’s okay. We’ve all been there. Mastering keyword research for SEO is essential to getting your website in front of the right audience.

By understanding your potential client’s language, you can create content your customers will easily find in search engines. Not to mention, finding the right keywords can help you outrank your competitors.

This blog will explain keyword research and why it is essential for your website’s success in 2023. We will also give you the latest and evergreen tips for finding high-traffic keyword opportunities through keyword research. And further, help on how to use them to optimize your content. 

So, let’s dive in!

Why Is Keyword Research For SEO Important In 2023?

A recent survey conducted by Google in 2023 found that 89% of internet users rely on search engines to find products, services, and information online. Furthermore, 75% of search engine users only go up to the first page of search results. This fact highlights the vital role of keyword research for SEO in–

• Boosting a website’s visibility 
• Driving targeted traffic

Keyword research remains integral to search engine optimization (SEO) in 2023. It represents the bedrock of any successful SEO campaign and digital marketing strategy—

• Helping businesses to identify relevant keywords and phrases to improve their website’s visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Another research by Ahrefs reveals that the number one ranking page on Google‘s search engine results page (SERP) typically contains an average of 1,890 words in its content. Additionally, it has 12.5% greater keyword density than the subsequent pages not ranking on the first page of SERP. These figures demonstrate the importance of thorough keyword research to—

• Identify the best keywords to target 
• The right type and amount of content to produce

The importance of incorporating user intent into your keyword research for SEO is growing in 2023. It’s no longer enough to target high-volume keywords. Instead, it would be best to focus on identifying keywords that align with user intent and delivering content that meets their needs.

What Are The Best Keyword Research SEO Tools In 2023

Before diving head first into the tips of finding high-traffic keyword opportunities through keyword research, let’s get familiar with some of the tools. 

• Ahrefs

One of the powerful keyword research tools in our list is Ahrefs. It provides a comprehensive overview of the search term and related searches. This tool enables users to identify the keywords their competitors are ranking for, thus allowing them to refine their content strategy. Regarding keyword research, Ahrefs offers a Keyword Explorer tool that provides valuable insights into keyword search volume, keyword difficulty score, and click-through rate (CTR) estimations. The subscription plan starts from $99 per month.

• SEMrush

The second powerful SEO tool for keyword research right now is SEMrush. SEMrush offers various features to help users optimize their content. The Keyword Magic tool analyzes a database of over 20 billion keywords and delivers valuable keyword suggestions, competition analysis, top-ranking pages, click potential, and search volume trends. SEMrush also offers a keyword difficulty tool that analyzes each keyword’s top 100 search results. SEMrush’s pricing plans start from $99.95 per month.

• Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner is a free and powerful keyword research tool provided by Google. It is a suitable tool for beginners who are starting with SEO. Though slightly limited in functionality compared to other paid tools, Google Keyword Planner allows users to access keyword search volume, competition and even create keyword lists. However, some tool features are not free, and users need an active Google Ads to account to access them.

• Moz Keyword Explorer 

It is another all-in-one SEO tool that provides comprehensive keyword research functionality. The Keyword Explorer tool showcases organic search volume data for specific locations and generates keyword suggestions based on relevance and importance. Pricing plans range from $79 to $479 monthly, depending on the business size and objectives.

• Keyword Tool

Our favorite Keyword Tool is a comprehensive keyword research tool that offers suggested keywords based on search terms. It provides valuable insights into user search behavior and trends. Keyword Tool has a free plan, but users can access more features by subscribing to its paid program, which starts at $89 per month.

Tips To Find High-Traffic Keyword Opportunities Through Your Keyword Research (2023 Edition)

Tip 1: Know Methods To Research Keywords

Let’s begin with the basic methods of keyword research.

Generally speaking–there are 4 types of keywords (long tail, short tail, intent-targeting, and question). However, we’ll uncover the top 3 keywords that you must know in 2023:

• Short-tail (“head” or “seed”) keywords 

They are typically 1-2 word phrases representing broad search terms. They tend to be highly competitive and may not always reflect user intent. However, they’re also essential for building a solid foundation for your keyword strategy. For example, “shoes” or “cars” are short tail keywords.

• Long-tail keywords

They are more specific and involve longer phrases or questions users might search for. They’re generally less competitive and can provide valuable insight into user intent, making them ideal for targeting specific topics or niches. For example, “men’s running shoes” or “affordable used cars” are long-tail keywords.

• Parent keywords 

They are another important aspect of keyword research. They’re the main topics or categories within your niche or industry, providing a framework for organizing your research and building your content strategy. For example, the parent keyword “health” can have subcategories like “mental health,” “physical health,” “nutrition,” and “exercise.”

Now that you know the keywords, let’s learn how to research these keywords: 

Step 1: Google Autocomplete

Google’s autocomplete feature is a great way to get ideas for long-tail keywords. Start typing in a phrase related to your niche, and Google will suggest various keywords and phrases that other people have searched for.

Step 2: Related Searches

At the bottom of the Google search results page, you’ll find “related searches” that can also be a source of inspiration for high-traffic keywords. These suggestions are from what others have searched for related to your original query.

Step 3: Google Trends

Google Trends is a tool that allows you to track the popularity of a particular keyword or topic over time. Using this tool, you can identify when certain keywords experience spikes in popularity, which can help you optimize your content around those keywords for more traffic.

Step 4: Identification by Region

Conducting focus groups or surveys within the region can provide valuable insights into the specific language and phrasing used by locals. This step allows for more targeted and effective keyword selection for businesses or organizations looking to reach a particular audience.

Step 5: Keyword Research Tools

Begin by brainstorming a list of seed keywords and then use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Keyword Tool to find related long-tail keywords. 

Tip 2: Categorizing The Type Of Keywords Based On Customers Search Intent Journey

Every customer journey starts with googling these days. So, selecting popular keywords and hoping for the best is not enough. 

You need to carefully consider the type of keywords based on your customer’s search intent journey. 

There are four types of search intent that you should keep in mind when conducting your keyword research. Each type of keyword can offer unique opportunities to drive traffic to your website.

• Commercial Keywords

The focus of commercial keywords is to drive sales. They’re–

• Broad, &
• High-level terms that identify a product or service in a general way. 

Examples of commercial keywords include “best-running shoes” or “top-rated web hosting.”

Remember: Use these keywords for customers who are ready to make a purchase.

• Transactional keywords 

These keywords are more specific, and it focuses on driving conversions. These keywords usually include modifiers like–

• “Buy,”
• “download,” or
• “Subscribe.” 

Examples of transactional keywords include “buy Nike running shoes online” or “download WordPress themes.”

Remember: Use these keywords for customers who have a specific goal. 

• Informational keywords 

These keywords intend to provide valuable information for the user. They’re often–

• Question-based and 
• Are meant to satisfy the user’s curiosity or answer a specific query. 

Examples of informational keywords include “What are the benefits of running?” or “How to install WordPress.”

Remember: Use these keywords for customers looking for answers to their questions.

• Navigational Keywords

Navigational keywords are those that the user enters to navigate to a specific website or page. They’re often–

• Branded terms to help users find a particular website or product. 

Examples of navigational keywords include “Facebook login” or “Google Maps directions to Starbucks.”

Remember: Use these keywords for customers looking for a specific website. It also means your brand name.

For high-traffic keyword opportunities, consider these search intent keywords. This tip helps identify the most popular keywords within each type to create a well-rounded SEO strategy that addresses all aspects of your customer’s search intent journey.

Tip 3: Competitive Keywords Analysis To Find Keyword Gap

Now that you understand different types of keywords and where to pull them out. Let’s dive deep into understanding this next tip–analyzing the competitive keywords among your competitors.

When conducting keyword research for your website, it’s important to find keywords with high search volume and low competition and identify keyword gaps. This identification means finding keywords that your competitors are ranking for, but you are not.

Here are the steps to conduct a competitive keyword analysis:

Step 1: Identify your top competitors in your industry or niche. 

You directly compete with these businesses for search engine rankings and customers.

Step 2: Check their domain for new keyword ideas. 

Your competitors in a similar niche market can become your primary source of inspiration for new keyword ideas. By checking their domain, you can easily identify relevant and profitable keywords that have the potential to drive more traffic and leads to your website.

One of the easiest methods to find new keywords is to use a tool like SEMrush. This tool will show you all the keywords your competitors rank for. You can then analyze these keywords and find specific ones related to your niche that are not currently in your list of keywords.  

This step can allow you to identify low-concentration but high-converting keywords your competition isn’t targeting yet.

Step 3: Check their top site keywords for keyword ideas. 

Another valuable trick to identifying the keyword gap is to check the top site keywords of your competitors. By understanding the keywords that drive traffic and conversions to their website, you can expand your SEO strategy by creating content that ranks for similar terms, generating more targeted traffic.

Remember to note the backlinks pointing toward the relevant keywords with the highest traffic on your competitor’s website. This step can help you understand their content strategy, and you can create similar or better quality content, influencing the backlinks.

Step 4: Keyword targeting – choose limited profitable keywords. 

The essential tip of competitive research is to limit your target keywords. It might be tempting to choose a range of keywords, but it’s important to note that too many keywords can dilute the effectiveness of your SEO. 

Tip 4: Think About Your Product/Service Like Your Customers (Google Tip)

After finding the keyword gap, you must know to find the relevant keywords. Our tip is always to think about your product or service like your customer. 

Here are some of the steps to do this:

Step 1: Refine new keywords

One of the most common mistakes when conducting keyword research is selecting broad and generic keywords. Instead, refine your keyword selection using more specific and targeted phrases that reflect your content better.

This approach will help attract high-quality traffic, increasing engagement and conversions on your site.

Step 2: Use customer language

Customers search for products or services may not reflect industry jargon or technical terminology. Use natural language and phrasing that aligns with your target audience’s search habits to get the most out of your keyword research.

When your keywords match your customers’ language, it increases the likelihood of them finding your website. For this, you can use Natural Language Processing Tools to generate keywords.

Step 3: Don’t use actual search queries that potential customers might enter

Using commonly searched phrases for your keyword selection may seem like a good idea, but everyone else is doing the same. Consider using related long-tail keywords, which will be more specific and generate higher-quality traffic.

Step 4: Don’t limit your keywords

Avoid restricting yourself to a few critical keywords. Instead, use diverse relevant keywords to attract traction from various sources. This approach will help you widen your reach and increase your chances of organic traffic.

Step 5: Be specific but not too specific

While being specific in your keyword selection is essential, going too detailed can also restrict your website’s visibility. If you have multiple services or products, use broad terms that capture the essence of your brand and then target them with specific long-tail keywords. For example, use “reception venue” but not “reception venue for small groups.”

Avoid generalizing in 2023!

Tip 5: Compile Your Keywords List & Use Tools To Analyze Their Strengths

After you’ve learned to take out and compile the keywords, you should always make a list and analyze their strengths.

Step 1: Cut down your keyword list with Google Keyword Planner

Keyword research tools return a plethora of keywords that you can rank for, but not all of them are worth targeting. Google Keyword Planner helps you identify keywords with high monthly search volumes relevant to your industry.

This tool also suggests long-tail keywords with less competition, which can be an opportunity for personalized content that solves specific problems.

• Start by logging into your Google AdWords account and clicking “Keyword Planner” under the “Tools” tab.

• Choose “Find new keywords” and type your business or industry-related keyword. 

• Keyword Planner will generate a list of related keywords, their respective search volume, competition, and bid range. 

• Sort these keywords by search volume to identify the most popular terms that match your business’ products or services.

Step 2: Prioritize Low-Hanging Fruit

Avoid broad keywords with high search volume but high competition, as they are hard to rank for. Instead, focus on long-tail keywords that have a lower search volume but are more specific. These keywords are also known as low-hanging fruit.

These keywords will be easier to rank for and drive lower but more targeted traffic to your website. Using these keywords makes you more likely to convert users into leads, thereby obtaining excellent conversion rates for your website.

Step 3: Check Monthly Search Volume (MSV) For Chosen Keywords

After prioritizing the list of low-hanging fruit, it’s essential to analyze each keyword’s monthly search volume (MSV). MSV estimates how often people search for a particular keyword in a month. This analysis helps you identify keywords potentially driving more traffic to your site.

Tip 6: Generating Keyword Variation

One overlooked tip is generating keyword variation to develop a high-traffic keyword opportunity. Focusing on semantic relationships between words is important for search engines to provide even greater relevance when generating keyword variation. 

By using highly relevant, semantically-rich keywords, a website can further improve its search engine rankings and attract more visitors, ultimately increasing its online visibility and success.

To be considered semantically rich, a keyword should be highly relevant to the topic, have a high search volume, and be used in the appropriate context. 

For example, 

If you are writing a blog post about “healthy breakfast ideas,” then semantically rich keywords would include phrases like “nutritious breakfast recipes,” “healthy breakfast options,” “breakfast ideas for weight loss,” and so on. And you can use SEO tools without racking your brain.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Identify primary keywords

Create a list of primary keywords related to your intended content. Primary keywords will form the foundation of your keyword research. For instance, if you are writing about “affordable hotels in New York,” your primary keyword would be “affordable hotels in New York.”

Step 2: Use SEO tools to generate variations

Utilize SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to generate keyword variations based on your primary keywords. These tools can suggest related phrases and terms that people popularly use.

Step 3: Analyze the competition level

As you collect these keyword variations, analyze their competition level. The competition level shows how hard it would be to rank for a particular keyword. SEO tools such as Moz can provide this information.

Step 4: Analyze the search volume

Check the search volume of the identified keywords. It will give you an idea of a specific keyword’s popularity and how many people search for it monthly. Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush are some tools that can help you with this.

Step 5: Choose the right keywords

Identify the right and relevant keywords, have a moderate to less competition level, and have a high search volume. Choose a combination of long-tail keywords (more than three words long) and short-tail keywords (one or two words long) to balance the competition and reach.

Step 6: Group Keywords

Group your keywords into themes to create content based on each theme. For example, if you sell running shoes, you may have themes like “trail running shoes,” “marathon running shoes,” or “minimalist running shoes.” Grouping your keywords this way will help you create more focused and relevant content for your customers.

Step 7: Use long-tail keywords

Include long-tail keywords in your list of variations to rank higher in the SERPs. For example, “best minimalist running shoes for women” is a long-tail keyword that may have less competition compared to “running shoes.”

Tip 7: Check Whether You’re Using Keyword Correctly Or Not Through SERP Feature Snippet 

Suppose you have chosen your keywords. You must ensure that you use those keywords correctly in your website content. You can check whether you use the keyword appropriately from the SERP feature snippet. 

Moreover, SERP feature snippets are small information displayed on search engine result pages (SERP) that quickly answer a searcher’s query.

Types of SERP Featured Snippets: 

• Image Snippet

The image snippet displays images related to the search query.

• Paragraph Snippet

A paragraph snippet displays short content that answers the visitor’s query.

• List Snippet

The list type of snippet displays a list of items related to the search query.

• Video Snippet

The video snippet displays relevant videos related to the search query.

Where And How You Should Optimize Your Content For Keywords

When optimizing content for keywords, you should focus on a few key areas.

The first thing people will notice when searching for your content is the target keyword in the title page or post.

So, it would be best if you placed keywords in the—

• The URL, 
• Meta description, 
• Header tags (H1, H2, H3), 
• Within the first 100 words of the content, and
• First & Last paragraph of the content.

However, be careful not to overdo it – Google can penalize sites for “keyword stuffing” or spamming a page with too many instances of a particular keyword.

The ideal number of times to repeat the keyword depends on a piece of content depends on the length of content. The strategy to place the keyword within the range is simple. 

• Keywords should appear naturally.
• The repetition of the keyword should be reasonable.
• The density of the keyword should be between 1-2%. 

In addition to the content itself, make sure to optimize other parts of your page, such as the–

• Meta description 
• Alt tags for images

These elements provide additional context to search engines about what your content is all about.

The length of content is also vital in optimizing for keywords. In general, long-form content ranks better and improves visibility. The short and general content just won’t work! At present, the content should be–

• Informative,
• Engaging,
• Readable to attract and retain the audience’s attention.

Lastly, keep in mind that optimizing for keywords is just 1 piece of the SEO puzzle regarding ranking well in search results. 

In addition to keyword optimization, other factors play a role in how both search engines and users perceive your content, like:

• Site speed, 
• Mobile-friendliness, and 
• High-quality backlinks.

Final Thoughts

As you embark on your journey as an SEO beginner, remember that keyword research is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis and optimization. 

So whether you’re a seasoned SEO professional or just starting, by implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can improve your website’s search visibility and establish your online presence. 

As you begin your journey towards mastering keyword research for SEO, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices is important to stay ahead of the competition. With a continuous effort, you can unlock the power of keyword research for SEO and take your website to new heights in 2023 and beyond.

About Outpace

If your business needs help targeting conversion-based keywords, Outpace SEO is here to help! The keywords we identify have high relevance and a high monthly search volume. Our unique keyword research lets us deliver warm leads to your website.

Outpacing your competitors in this competitive field can be daunting, but with our expert guidance, your business can easily navigate the complexities of keyword research. 

Outpace SEO is a top-rated Oklahoma-based SEO agency on–

• Clutch
• Trustpilot
• Google My Business

Call us at (405) 544-0208. 

Or, Book a free SEO consultation.

Take a chance to emerge as winners in the highly competitive digital landscape!

Keywords are people’s words or phrases when searching for something online. Similarly, keyword optimization is the process of improving the ranking of a website or web page on search engines. The higher the ranking, the more likely people find the site. When you strategically select keywords relevant to your blog post topic and include them in your content, you’re more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), meaning more people will see your content. You’ve been told repeatedly that keyword research is essential to the success of your blog posts. But how do you choose keyword optimized topics for blog posts? 

Did you know? Google rewards well-researched sites that provide high-quality content by ranking them higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Here is Outpace’s quick guide to help you select the perfect topics for your next batch of blog posts, ensuring they are keyword-optimized and search-engine friendly.

What are keyword-optimized topics?

Keyword-optimized topics are specifically chosen to target certain keywords or key phrases. When creating content around these topics, the goal is to:

•  Use those keywords as often as possible without sounding unnatural. 

Keyword-optimized topic improves the site’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) and draws in more organic traffic. By incorporating the right keywords into your content, you can make it more visible and relevant to potential customers searching for related terms.

You can use specific keywords on the following:

• Throughout the blog
• Title 
• Metadata

Note: Including keywords in a topic’s title and header further improves the blog’s visibility and ranking.

Importance of keyword-optimized topics for your blog posts

The importance of keyword-optimized topics for your blog posts cannot be overemphasized. When creating a post, you want to ensure that you are targeting a particular keyword or phrase. 

a. Content discovery

One reason keyword optimization is important for blog posts is that it helps to ensure that the right people are finding your content. Using the right keywords can attract readers interested in what you say and help them find your content more easily.

Note: You can do keyword research to determine which keywords are being searched for the most and focus your content around those keywords.

b. Increases rankings in SERPs & improves blog visibility

Topic-based optimized keywords are a great way to improve your blog’s visibility in SERPs. When you target a broader topic, you’ll rank for more long-tail keywords, which means you’ll get more traffic from people searching for specific information. And since people are more likely to click on links near the top of the SERPs, ranking high for relevant topics can help improve your blog’s visibility and attract more readers.

Note: When you target specific keywords with your content, you make it easier for Google to understand your blog.

c. Improves click-through rates

Keyword-optimized blog topics can improve the click-through rate (CTR). CTR is the percentage of people who click on a link in a SERP after seeing it. Keyword-optimized topics can help improve click-through rates because they are more likely to appear on search engine results pages (SERPs). This increment of appearance in SERP means that people looking for information on a particular topic will be more likely to see your content near the top of the results. This result can lead to more people clicking through to your content, improving overall traffic and engagement.

Note: A high CTR means more people are interested in what you offer and are more likely to visit your website. 

d. Evergreen content generation

To focus on keyword-optimized topics means creating evergreen content on your website. By understanding what keywords people are searching for, you can create relevant and interesting content for your target audience. Not only will this help you improve your rankings, but it will also help you generate leads and attract new customers.

Note: When people search for specific topics, Google wants to give them the best possible results. By making your content around these keyword-optimized topics, you are telling Google that your content is one of the best possible resources.

e. Generating valuable backlinks

The content around specific optimized keywords can help increase rankings on search engines, leading to an influx of valuable backlinks. Using keyword research to determine the best topics to target, you can create content that is both valuable to your audience and attractive to other publishers. 

Note: When other websites link to your content, they essentially endorse it as a valuable resource – helping to improve your SEO ranking.

The relationship between popular keywords & SEO rank

The relationship between popular keywords and SEO rank is complex. Generally, the more popular a keyword is, the higher it will rank in search engine results pages (SERPs). However, there are several factors that can affect a keyword’s ranking, including as follows:

•  Its competitiveness 
• The relevance of the content on a website

The relationship between popular keywords and SEO rank is that: 

Popular keyword  = High rank in search engine results pages (SERPs)

Note: Search engines use algorithms to rank websites based on their relevance to a user’s query. 

It is important to note that writing blogs with optimized popular keywords can help improve a website’s SEO rank, but it is not the only factor that matters. A website must also have high-quality content relevant to its target keywords to rank high in SERPs. However, many other factors also play a role in SEO ranking, such as the following:

• Website authority 
• On-page optimization
• Backlinks
• User experience

SEO rules: Choosing and placing the right keywords

When it comes to SEO, keywords are essential. You need to choose the right ones and place them in the right places to help your content rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Rule 1: Strategic keyword placement

When choosing keywords, you want to consider where they will impact your audience the most. Generally, you’ll want to place them in the title tag and the meta description. You should also use them in image titles and file names. You should use your keywords in the first few sentences of your content or your blog’s body text.

All in all, the most important place to include keywords is in the title of your content. Google will use this to determine your content, so it’s important to use your target keyword(s) here. 

Note: You should avoid overusing keywords, as this can lead to a penalty from Google.

Rule 2: Repetition of keyword

A good rule of thumb is to use your target keyword(s) 3-5 times throughout your content. 3-5 instances of your target keyword throughout your content is generally enough, although you may want to use more if your keyword is particularly competitive. 

Note: Cramming your content with keywords will negatively affect you, so focus on quality and relevance over quantity.

For example,

Suppose you’re a wedding photographer. In that case, you might want to use your target keyword phrase “wedding photography” throughout your website’s text, especially in the following places:

• The title of your website or blog
• The headline of each page
• In the first sentence of each paragraph
• In the keywords meta tag
• In the alt attribute of images on your website
• As the filename for each PDF or document on your website

Rule 3: Do keyword research and use it in relevant topics and audience 

Choose keywords that are relevant to your topic and audience. You can do keyword research for this. Think of it as a way to understand your audience and what they are looking for online.

Doing keyword research is important for a few reasons:

• First, it can help you determine what topics to write about and which audiences to target. 
• Second, it can help you understand what people are searching for online so you can create content that better meets their needs. 
• Finally, it can help you track your performance over time to see if your content is resonating with people and helping you achieve your desired results.

By understanding the keywords that people are using to find information on your topic, you can better target your content and make sure it addresses the needs of your audience. 

Note: Relevant keywords with perfect keyword research can help you identify potential advertising opportunities. You can target your ads to those most likely interested in what you have to offer.

Rule 4: Variation in keyword format

 Use a variety of keyword formats, including single words, phrases, and long-tail keywords.

Keyword formats can vary in length, from a single word to a longer phrase. They can also be tailored to fit the specific needs of your content. Some common formats include:

• Single words: The simplest type of keyword can target a specific term or phrase. For example, if you’re writing about cats, you might use the keyword “cats” to help people find your content.
• Phrases: They are longer keywords targeting specific topics or concepts. For example, “cat breeds” could target information about different types of cats.
• Long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific than general terms. They’re often used when you want to target a specific audience or when you want to rank for a particular search term. For example, “How to train your cat, not to scratch furniture” is a long-tail keyword that could be used to find information on training cats not to scratch furniture.

Note: Long-tail keywords, in particular, can be very effective at targeting niche audiences already interested in your offer. 

Keyword formats can help improve your SEO in a few ways:

• First, multiple keyword formats can help you capture more traffic from different search engines.
• Additionally, keyword phrases can help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) since those phrases are more specific and therefore considered more relevant by the search engines. 
• Finally, using a variety of keyword formats can help you create content that is more engaging and relevant to your audience.

List of keyword research tools to choose the right keyword

There are various keyword research tools that will help you get started with your SEO efforts. The most popular ones include Google AdWords Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Moz’s Keyword Explorer, Ubersuggest, and word tracker.

Keyword Research Tool	Type	Description
Google AdWords Keyword Planner	Free	Offered by Google, that allows you to find keywords related to your business. You can enter a keyword or phrase, and the tool will provide a list of related keywords, along with monthly search volume and competition data.
SEMrush	Paid	Provides detailed keyword data, including search volume, competition, and CPC data. You can also use SEMrush to find competitor keywords and spy on their website traffic.
Moz’s Keyword Explorer	Paid	The MozBar Chrome extension provides useful information about a website’s SEO, including the number of backlinks and MozRank.
Ubersuggest	Paid	Generates a list of potential keywords based on a particular topic or keyword.
Wordtracker	Paid	Provides keyword data, including search volume and competition levels. You can also use Wordtracker to find long-tail keywords for your business.

Guide to selecting keyword-optimized topics for your blog posts

As mentioned before, the most important factor in determining the success of your blog is the topics you choose to write about. If you focus on keywords relevant to your niche, you’ll be more likely to attract readers interested in what you have to say. 

Steps to use keyword-optimized topics to craft posts:

Step 1: Have a keyword list

The first step is to find a keyword list. One way to find keywords is to think about what you want your content to rank for. 

• What are you trying to sell or promote? 
• What are people likely to type into a search engine when looking for information related to your offer?

You can use Google’s Keyword Planner, semrush.com, or ahrefs.com. 

Note: You can also brainstorm keywords by thinking about what people might type into a search engine when looking for your business information.

Once you have your keyword list, you must develop a post topic. Choose a keyword from your list and come up with a topic that is relevant to that keyword.

Step 2: Figure out keyword opportunities

One way to find keyword opportunities is to analyze your competitors. See what keywords they are targeting and try to find keywords you are not currently targeting that have a high search volume. 

Note: You can also use Google AdWords Keyword Planner to find keywords with a high average monthly search volume and low competition.

Step 3: Look at the search volume and difficulty

When looking at search volume and difficulty, it’s important to consider what the numbers mean. Search volume measures how often a particular keyword is being searched for. The difficulty, however, measures how competitive that keyword is.

The higher the search volume and the lower the difficulty, the easier it will be to rank well for that keyword. The lower the search volume and the difficulty, the harder it will be to rank well for that keyword. It is because competition for high-traffic keywords is fierce, while competition for low-traffic keywords is relatively low.

Step 4: Brainstorm blog topics around that keyword(s)

When brainstorming blog topics around a keyword, it can be helpful to develop a list of potential angles to explore. 

For example, 

If you’re brainstorming blog topics around the keyword “travel,” you might come up with ideas like as follows:

• How to save money on travel
• The best budget-friendly destinations for travel
• Tips for packing for a trip
• How to stay healthy while traveling
• The best apps and websites for booking travel

Note: You can either fill the context gap with your blogs or create a unique topic to write on.

Step 5: Create a catchy headline

Start by thinking about what your article is about. Try to come up with a few potential headlines that summarize your article. Then, choose the best one and make it catchy!

You can do a few things to ensure your headline stands out and catches people’s attention. 

• First, try to make it as short as possible. 
• You also want to use strong, action-oriented verbs and ensure your headline is relevant to the content of your article. 
• Finally, be sure to test different headlines to see which one performs the best.

Note: One way to do this is to use strong verbs and adjectives and interesting facts or statistics. You can also try using a question or a provocative statement in your headline.

Step 6: Write high-quality content designed for link building

The goal of high-quality content is to provide value to the reader. This means that you should focus on writing well-researched, informative articles that are interesting and engaging to read. In addition to providing value to the reader, high-quality content also helps with link-building. You can help improve your website’s SEO and increase its visibility online by including links to authoritative sources and other relevant content.

Steps to make blogs engaging & SEO-friendly with keyword-optimized topics:

Step 1: Find and use one main keyword for each blog

When you start a blog, it is important to find the main keyword to focus your efforts on. This will help you to create content that is relevant to your target audience and that will rank well in search engine results pages. 

To find a good main keyword, you should consider

• What your blog is about, 
• Who your target audience is, and 
• What keywords they would likely be searching for?

 You can then use one of these keywords as the focus of your blog content.

You should also make sure to use your main keyword throughout your blog, including in the title, the body of the content, and the keywords section of your blog’s settings. Doing this will help to improve your blog’s SEO and will help you to attract more readers.

Step 2: Use exact keywords in the title & title tag

When it comes to using keywords in your title, you want to be as specific as possible. Generic keywords like “running” or “fitness” are going to be much more difficult to rank for than more specific phrases like “how to start running” or “5 easy tips for getting fit.”

The same principle applies to title tags. Rather than using a general keyword like “fitness,” try targeting a specific phrase like “cardio workouts for beginners.” This will help you rank higher in search engine results pages and attract more qualified traffic to your website.

Step 3: Use the chosen keyword in the introduction, conclusion, and subheadings (H1, H2, H3)

The keyword should be used at the beginning of the introduction, preferably as the first sentence. It should be introduced and explained in a way that provides context for the rest of the paper.

The keyword should also be used at the end of the conclusion, preferably as the last sentence. It should be summarized and explained in a way that provides context for the rest of the paper.

E.g.,

The keyword “online marketing” can be used in the introduction, conclusion, and subheadings (H1, H2, H3) of a content piece to explain its purpose. In the introduction, it can be used to introduce the reader to the topic of online marketing. In conclusion, it can be used to recap the article’s main points. And in the subheadings (H1, H2, H3) can be used to break down the content into specific topics further.

Step 4: Write a unique meta description for each blog

When you write a blog, it’s important to include a unique meta description that will entice people to click through. This description should accurately represent the content of your blog post and make readers want to learn more. 

By writing a custom meta description for each post, you can ensure that your readers will see the most relevant information before deciding whether or not to read your blog.

Step 5: Use internal links between posts

Internal links are important for a few reasons. 

• First, they help search engines understand your site better. When you link to another post on your site, you’re telling the search engine that the two posts are related. This can help your site rank higher in search results.
• Second, internal links help keep people on your site. If someone reads one of your posts and then likes what they see, they may want to read more. By linking to other posts on your site, you make it easy for them to do that.
• Finally, internal links can help you improve your SEO. When you link to a post on your site, you’re telling Google that the post is important. This can help your post rank higher in search results.

Step 6: Put the chosen keyword in the HTML title

The keyword should be included in the HTML title to help with search engine optimization (SEO). Including the keyword in the title will help ensure that the page is returned in search engine results pages (SERPs) for queries containing that keyword. 

Adding the keyword to the HTML title can help improve the site’s ranking for that term. This is because the title is one of the factors that Google uses to determine the site’s relevance to a search query.

Step 7: Customize the URLs for each blog post

When you write a blog post, you want to give it a unique and easily identifiable URL. This way, when people want to share your post, they can do so easily, and you’ll also be able to track how often your post is being shared.

• To set a custom URL for your blog post, add /?p= followed by the name of your post. So, for example, if your blog post is called “My Awesome Post,” You could set the custom URL as http://mysite.com/?p=my-awesome-post.
• You can also set a custom URL for your blog’s home page. To do this, add / instead of ?p=. For example, http://mysite.com/.

Further, the URLs for blog posts can be customized in various ways, depending on what is needed. 

For example,

If a post is part of a series, the URL can be customized to include the post’s number in the series. This can be helpful for users who want to keep track of the posts in a series. Additionally, customized URLs can be used to make it easier for users to find specific posts. This can be done by including keywords or topics in the URL.

Step 8: Set up an SEO plugin & monitor SEO with the search console

Google’s search console is a great way to keep track of your website’s SEO. It shows you how your website performs in Google searches, what keywords you rank for, and how your website’s pages perform.

• To set up the search console, you first need to create a Google account if you don’t already have one. Then, go to https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/ and click “Add a site.” Enter your website’s URL and click “Submit.”
• The next step is to verify your website. There are two ways to do this: by adding a meta tag to your website’s header or uploading an HTML file to your website’s root directory. For detailed instructions on how to do this, go to: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/6073543?hl=en&ref_topic=3576922
• Once you’ve verified your website, the search console will show you all of the data for your website. You can then use this data to improve your website’s SEO.

SEO plugin

WordPress has a variety of plugins that can help with SEO. One such plugin is Yoast SEO. Yoast SEO helps you to set up your site for optimal search engine performance. It also monitors your site’s SEO with the search console, so you can see how well you are doing and make necessary changes.

Monitoring SEO with the search console

A search console is a free tool from Google that allows you to track your site’s SEO performance. You can see how your site is doing in terms of organic search traffic, impressions, clicks, and ranking. You can also see which keywords drive traffic to your site and which pages perform best. This information can help optimize your site for better search engine visibility.

How relevant are keyword-optimized blog topics for ranking higher in SERPs today?

Keyword optimization is still a valuable tool for SERP ranking. However, recent updates to Google’s algorithm have placed more emphasis on engaging content that provides value to the user. This update means that a blog topic relevant to your target audience and provides useful information is more likely to rank higher than optimized for keywords.

It’s a fact that online businesses struggle to generate new and creative ways to increase website traffic. Adding more to it, there is numerous misinformation online about the best way to increase website traffic, which eventually leads to trying to implement the same strategies over and over without any benefits.

 

If you want to increase your website traffic by using both organic and paid methods, we have listed ten ways to yield results for your online business. 

 

1. Conduct Keyword Research

 

An essential thing that you should do is include relevant keywords in your content. Keywords play a major role in ranking your content and should be organically used throughout your content. Keywords should not be overused or “stuffed,” which may distract your readers. Moreover, the keywords must be used in your title tags, meta descriptions, headings, URLs, and throughout the actual piece of content.

 

In order to conduct keyword research, you can utilize tools like Ahrefs, Moz, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest. These tolls will provide valuable data regarding keywords that your competitors are ranking for, how often readers are searching for a particular keyword, keyword difficulty, related keywords, and the cost of keywords for pay-per-click ads.

 

Hiring an SEO agency is always an option as well. An SEO agency will provide you invaluable insights regarding your website and its performance and perform site audits that will help identify issues that might be blocking your content from being shown in search engines.

 

2. Create a Unique Content

 

Publishing content won’t do it by itself. Your content needs to be unique and offer valuable information that can cut through the clutter. Informative, relevant, and insightful content is an effective way to increase website traffic. 

 

People use search engines like Google to look for the best answer to their specific questions and locate accurate and trustworthy information. Therefore, it is imperative that your content can address various queries that are being asked in your niche.

 

One easy way to do this is by creating a blog for your website. In fact, websites that have blog content on them generate 434% more search engine indexed pages than websites that don’t have one. Additionally, websites that post at least 16 posts per month receive an outstanding 3.5 times more traffic than those that publish less than four blog posts per month.

 

The key takeaway is that if your website produces valuable content, is posted consistently and regularly, and has answers to queries your readers are searching for, your website traffic will significantly improve.

 

It is important to note that without content, it will be difficult to rank for anything. Therefore, content writing is essential for SEO and increasing website traffic.

 

3. Guest Blogging

 

Guest blogging for other websites in your niche helps develop new backlinks, boost referral traffic, and increase your overall search engine results page (SERP) ranking. However, before you take the giant leap into writing other blogs, you must thoroughly research the website to ensure that they are trustworthy and worth writing for. Remember that not all backlinks are made equal.

 

One of the first things to do is to check the website’s content and determine if it is high quality or not. You can also look at the website’s domain authority and conduct an overall audit to understand as much information as possible. If you think the website is trustworthy and credible and want to do a guest blog post for them, inquire if they will promote your blog on social media platforms and tag you in it.

 

4. Active Social Media Pages

 

Undoubtedly, social media plays a massive role in attracting traffic to your website. It is worth noting that while you track your traffic from social media, even though it is supposed to be referral traffic, it may get classified as direct traffic for several reasons. Ensure to be aware of this while you track your traffic sources in Google Analytics.

 

Social media pages can help build traffic and a strong brand identity. Therefore, you need to create engaging posts for Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Platforms to increase social traffic. We want to highlight how social media can be utilized to increase traffic.

 

• Publish content (blogs, ebooks, infographics, white papers, and videos) across all of your social media platforms
• Interact with your audience by responding to them, reposting their content, and tagging them to increase engagement
• Research and utilize relevant hashtags
• Regularly updates your bio to contain links to your new content and promote it when it gets published
• Use blurbs and important data from your content to influence to click on your content

 

5. Increase Website Traffic Through Advertisements

 

You can use paid advertising by developing tactics for search, social media, and display ads to pay dividends in increasing website traffic. However, each type has pros and cons to it. For instance, users can block display ads from showing up. Google Ads can be costly, with the cost per click ranging between $1 and $2 per click. To make the most of your campaigns and save money on ads, it is crucial to set a budget and realistic goals before partaking in an ad campaign.

 

When conducting a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign, you must start with only one campaign with a few different ad groups that will target various keywords and audiences. After the campaign begins, you can monitor it and see how your audience interacts with your ads and how they behave to multiple keywords. For example, one of your keywords only generated impressions but did not increase website traffic, while the other ad groups resulted in increased website traffic. For this, the best thing to do is engage in some A/B testing to help you pinpoint which ad and method are the most effective.

 

6. Email Newsletters

 

You can send newsletters to promote your recent content to increase website traffic. A few simple yet effective ways to use email marketing can be seen below:

 

• Strategically place your enticing information from your content in the subject line and the body of your email
• Insert a link to call to action (CTA) that subscribers can click to read more of the content
• Emails should be mobile-friendly, with links that are easy to see and open! This is a crucial factor as 46% of all email opens are done on smartphones
• Personalize emails by including the name of the subscriber in them
• Make the email visually appealing and use well-designed templates
• Conduct A/B testing to which email campaigns receive more opens and clicks

 

7. Influencer Outreach

 

When we say influencers, it doesn’t mean you reach out to every possible influencer you can get hold of. Reach out to industry influencers to get your content in front of a larger audience, especially in front of their followers, since they are already interested in your industry. Some ways a business can reach out to influencers include:

 

• Tag the influencer in a social media post if your content references their research or content
• Ask the influence if they’d be interested in an interview. This will help to get valuable information from them. After your content is ready, ensure to share it on social media, and don’t forget to tag them so that they can share it with their followers
• Conduct online/events with multiple influencers, for instance, 10 Experts Share Simple Yet Effective Ways to Increase Website Traffic in 2022. Once more, after the content has been developed, ensure to post it on social media and tag all influencers that were involved
• Pay influencers to run sponsored posts on their social media pages with your content in it

 

If you’re new to influencer outreach or not sure whom to reach out to or engage with, tools like HypeAuditor and BuzzSumo will help you find the right influencers for your business. You can also reach out to a digital marketing agency to help you. 

 

8. Provide a Tool or Piece of Content

 

It’s a known fact that allowing your visitors to receive something of substantial value can be a great way to drive more website traffic. One example is providing a free downloadable keyword research template or any other free relevant tools. And of course, you’ll need an email address in return, though!

 

These tools can significantly maximize your returns and find new leads through acquiring email addresses and other personal information. Ensure that you promote all of the tools on social media platforms, especially on industry-related groups, as like-minded people are already talking about related topics.

 

9. Submit Press Releases

 

When you produce any major piece of content like press releases, whether it’s for your business or client, it’s important to be proactive with its distribution. Therefore, it is essential to push the press release and distribute it to influential websites and publications in the specific industry.

 

To reiterate, whenever you have an important announcement to make or main content for your client, you must send it to industry-leading publications and blogs that your audience reads. Also, include contact details on the press release so you can collect new leads and boost referral traffic to your website. 

 

10. Exchange Backlinks

 

Online businesses are working consistently to increase their website traffic but miss that there are also many opportunities for backlink exchanges. You can search for other relevant websites in your niche and reach out to them to manually set up beneficial backlinks for both websites.

 

Backlinks significantly improve website authority and your overall SEO ranking in the eyes of Google. You can consider these backlinks as votes of confidence which will tell Google that your content is relevant, credible, trustworthy, and offers insightful content. Referral traffic can also be increased through the link, as many visitors can arrive on your website after seeing your link!

 

Key Takeaway

Though these ten steps look simple and easy, it is important to note that some methods can pay off immediately while others may take considerable time. However, the best thing is to be consistent with these methods and ensure that you make improvements every day. We believe that the best way to grow your website traffic is to work on small steps regularly, eventually build up to your goal, and ultimately gain sustainable website traffic for the long run.

 

Search engines are constantly changing, and new algorithms for ranking websites keep popping up. A website’s rank is significant because it affects how many people visit the site. If you want to know what search engines are looking for when evaluating a website, read on!

1. Relevancy

A search engine’s primary goal is to provide relevant results for a searcher. This means that if you type in “car,” the site should be related to cars and not about cats (unless this was your specific intent).

2. The quality of your content

Content plays a huge role in the success of your website. A site made up of low-quality content will not be successful, no matter how many times it was shared on social media or returned visitors there are.

3. The originality and usefulness of your content

It’s essential to add fresh, new information about your topic because search engines reward sites with unique material by ranking them higher than similar websites. You can also ensure you have valuable resources for readers when they click through from Google results pages (SERPs) by providing value-added elements like videos, infographics, tables, and other interactive features.

4. User experience

A website’s UX or user experience is another crucial factor that search engines consider. This includes how easy it is to navigate the site and understand what content appears on different pages.

5. Site speed

The speed of a website is also critical because it affects the user experience. A site with slow load times can impact your bounce rate, which in turn affects how Google ranks you for specific queries.

6. Cross-device compatibility

Not all users use the same device to access websites. Make sure your website can be viewed on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices by making it responsive.

7. Technical SEO

Your site’s technical structure should also meet search engine guidelines for a good user experience. If you have a WordPress or other CMS-based blog, look into how to optimize your content so that Google has an easier time crawling pages and indexing them in their database.

8. Internal linking

The internal linking structure of your site is crucial for SEO because it affects how much authority you have over specific topics. For example, if a page on your blog about “cars” links to other posts like “motorcycles,” this gives Google the signal that these are both relevant keyword searches and helps improve rankings.

9. The right keywords

There are specific words or phrases that companies should target when optimizing their website for search engines. These generally include one or more items from the following list: long-tail keywords (specific terms related to what products/services they offer), branded keywords (company name), and generic keywords (keywords with high monthly search volumes).

10. Authority

A website’s authority is determined by several factors, including the quality and quantity of inbound links, how frequently the site is updated, social media signals, and more.

11. Meta descriptions and title tags

Meta descriptions are the snippets of text that appear on search engine results pages, while title tags appear in your browser tab or at the top of a web page. These should be customized for every webpage, so you attract more clicks from searchers.

12. Schema markup

Schema is an HTML attribute intended to provide rich data about your website’s content. Search engines, including Google, have begun using this information to display infoboxes with star ratings and prices when they think it could help users better understand search results.

13. Properly tagged images

Optimizing images for search is essential because it can affect your click-through rate. Make sure you have correctly optimized image filenames and alt text so that Google knows what each picture contains.

14. Evergreen content

Evergreen content is material that continues to provide value over time and will still be relevant in the future. Search engines reward websites with evergreen content because it keeps visitors on-page, which helps improve rankings.

15. Domain names

Your domain name can also affect your rankings. It should include keywords related to the page and be easy for people to type into their browser or link to from other sites.

16. Headlines and permalinks

The headlines on your website and the permalinks used for posts, pages, or blog categories can affect how much authority you have over specific topics.

17. Google Analytics

Google has its own suite of analytics tools, but there are other options available. This is a crucial way to measure site performance because it provides insight into where visitors are coming from and what they’re doing once they get to your page.

18. Meta keywords tag

The meta keyword tag was previously considered necessary by search engines until around 2014 when most stopped using them altogether. It will not harm websites if companies still use this metadata so long as it contains relevant content with high-quality links back to their sites.

19. Local SEO

Businesses that want to improve their local SEO should have complete and accurate business information listed on directories like Google+, Yelp, and Bing Local.

20. Keyword research

Keywords are the heart of organic search engine optimization. The more relevant keywords a website targets, the higher it will rank when users search for those terms. Tools like SEMrush can help identify what people in your industry are searching for and how difficult (or easy) it may be to rank organically in top positions.

21. Negative SEO

Negative SEO refers to someone attempting to damage another site’s rankings by pointing bad links at them, which is why most modern link-building strategies focus on obtaining only high-quality, natural backlinks from related websites/blogs.

Search engines are constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date on the latest changes and best practices is essential. You can help your website rank higher on search engine results pages and attract more visitors by following these tips.

 

Content cannibalization is when you have more than one piece of content on your site that targets the same audience. For example, if you post a blog about “How to Clean Your Kitchen” and write an article with ten kitchen cleaning tips, this can be considered content cannibalization. Many businesses do this unknowingly because they want their website visitors to see as many articles as possible for any given topic, but it can work against them.

Why should you care about content cannibalization?

When you have more than one piece of content targeting the same audience, it can hurt your SEO and confuse your readers. Duplicate content can be penalized by Google’s search engine rankings, and you could end up losing traffic to your site as a result. Additionally, if you have multiple pieces of content that are all saying the same thing, readers may not know which one to read, or they may get confused about what your company is trying to say.

Tips to Avoid Content Cannibalization

So how can you avoid content cannibalization? Here are a few tips:

Tip 1: Identify Keyword Cannibalization:

Keyword cannibalization is when you have more than one page on your site targeting the same keyword. This can be a significant issue for your SEO, and it’s essential to identify any pages competing for the same keywords. You can use Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool or Moz’s Keyword Explorer to help you find keywords that your site is targeting.

Once you’ve identified any pages with competing keywords, you’ll need to decide which page should target that particular keyword. It may make sense to keep both pages, but only if they offer different information or serve another purpose. If they’re essentially saying the same thing, then you’ll need to choose one page to focus on.

Tip 2: Identify potential content gaps:

You can identify any missing or lacking content on your site by looking at the topics you’re already covering. For example, if you have a blog post about “How to Clean Your Kitchen” but don’t mention cleaning appliances like your oven or microwave, this would be an issue.

Once you’ve identified gaps in coverage, look for ways to fill those gaps with additional articles. If none of these ideas seem viable to address the gap directly (it may not make sense for your business), then consider alternative ways to say the same. If you need to refresh your blog, it might be better to delete the content altogether and work with a new one. Just remember that it’s better to have fewer high-quality posts than many low-quality ones!

Tip 3: Avoid irrelevant on-page keywords and keyword stuffing:

If you’re targeting a particular keyword, make sure that it’s relevant to the page you’re trying to rank. Don’t include the keyword in every sentence or use so many keywords that your content becomes difficult to read. This is known as keyword stuffing, and it can hurt your SEO rather than help it. Targeting relevant keywords allows you to maintain content focus and avoid cannibalization. 

Tip 4: Avoid duplicate titles and meta descriptions:

Duplicate titles and meta descriptions can also cause issues with your SEO. Make sure each of your pages has unique titles and descriptions that accurately reflect the article’s topic. You can use Google’s Webmaster Tools to check for duplicate title tags and meta descriptions.

Tip 5: Use canonical tags to direct traffic to the most relevant URL:

If you have multiple versions of the same page (perhaps you have both a .html and .php version), you can use canonical tags to tell Google which one is the most relevant. This will help to prevent duplicate content issues and ensure that readers are directed to the correct page.

Tip 6: Use breadcrumb navigation for improved usability:

Breadcrumb navigation is a great way to help your readers find their way around your site. It provides a trail of links that shows the reader where they are on the website and how they got there. This can be especially helpful for more significant sites with lots of pages.

Top 7: Position content as per the relevance of topics:

When creating new content, think about how you can position it as relevant. You may want to consider using a blog post to promote a newly developed product page or position a video as the top result for a particular keyword. Thinking about its relevance can help you generate unique content over time. 

Tip 8: If you have two content that target similar keywords, merge them:

If you have two content pieces that target exact keywords but offer little value beyond their similarities, consider combining them. Try finding a central theme or idea that links both articles together, and use this as the basis for your new piece of content.

So, there you have it! By following these tips, you can avoid the problems associated with content cannibalization and create high-quality content that will help your SEO efforts. If you’re still having trouble avoiding content cannibalization, or if you’d like some additional help optimizing your website’s content, consider talking to a professional.

FAQ pages are a necessary part of any website. They help answer the questions that visitors have about your products and services and provide links to other features of your site where they can find more information. FAQ pages also offer a way for you to improve SEO by including keywords in the content indexed by search engines, which increases the likelihood that people searching for those terms will come across your page. In addition, FAQs allow you to optimize conversion rates by making it easier for visitors who know what they want from your site to quickly get there without having to navigate through other sections or look at irrelevant information on other pages.

Research Long Tail FAQs

When creating your FAQ page, it is essential to research the keywords that people are likely to use when searching for information about your products or services. This will help you choose the right questions to include on your page and ensure that the content is relevant to those terms. You can use a tool like Google AdWords Keyword Tool to help you determine which keywords are most likely to be used by your target audience.

Add Images

Adding images can also improve the effectiveness of an FAQ page, as it gives visitors a visual reference point for their questions and makes them more likely to stay on your site longer. You should choose images that make sense with the topic at hand and make sure that they relate directly to the question you are answering.

Different Formats

While traditional FAQs answer common questions in text format, this isn’t always necessary or effective. You can also use other designs like images, videos, or even interactive tools on your page if it helps get your message across better. The important thing is to ensure that your FAQ page provides the information visitors are looking for in a way they can easily understand.

Dive into Your Site Search for Data

Another way to determine the questions people are asking about your products or services is to look at your site’s search engine data. This will show you the terms that people are using to find information on your site and help you create content relevant to those keywords.

Ask your customer service team what type of queries they get regularly

You don’t have to go far to find inspiration for creating FAQ pages. You can also ask your customer service team for the types of questions they regularly get from customers. This can help you come up with ideas for questions to include on your FAQ page and give you an idea of the type of information that people are looking for when they visit your site.

Analyze your customer reviews

Another good source for finding the questions your visitors are asking is to analyze customer reviews. This can be a great way to find out what problems and concerns people have about your products or services, which you can then use as topics on an FAQ page.

Use Q&A Sites

If you want some inspiration for potential questions to include in your FAQ section, one of the best places you can look is a local question-and-answer site like Quora or Facebook Questions (if relevant). Both of these sites allow users worldwide to ask questions related to their businesses and share experiences with other people who might also need help answering them. Searching through these pages often reveals common issues that many different customers experiences, inspiring new content for your FAQ page.

Categorize by Concept

One way to organize your FAQ content is the concept. This will help you group questions together related to a specific topic or theme, making it easier for visitors to find the information they need.

Categorize by Process

Another approach is to categorize your FAQs by the process. This means organizing them according to the steps someone would take when using your product or service. Breaking down questions this way can make it easier for people who are new to your site or product to understand what they need to do to get started.

Create an Editorial Calendar

The best way to ensure that your FAQ page stays up-to-date and relevant is by creating an editorial calendar for it. This will help you plan out which topics you want to answer on your site and when you will publish them. This makes it much easier to keep the content fresh, which is essential for getting visitors excited about what’s coming next.

If you don’t already have a dedicated frequently asked questions section on your website, now is the time to create one! FAQs are a great way to provide supplemental information on your site without taking up too much space or overwhelming visitors with too much content at once. Making this information accessible in one easy-to-find location can be extremely helpful for new customers who are unsure what steps they need to take to get started with using your product or service. It also helps visitors understand why things work the way that they do or if there are certain limitations or constraints that might not be obvious at first glance.

The credibility of your website can be a tricky thing to maintain. Many factors contribute to the credibility of your site, and you must understand what these factors are to avoid having people question the validity of your information. In this blog post, we will discuss some ways you can improve the credibility of your website so that visitors feel more comfortable trusting what they find on it and buying from you!

1. Consistency

When you do the right things for an extended time, you will automatically build credibility. If a website has been around for a long time and continues to post new content regularly, people will naturally trust it. On the other hand, if someone just set up their site last week and there is nothing but an “about us” page or contact information listed on it with no posts, then users will not be very impressed.

2. Trustworthiness

The thing that will ultimately determine whether or not people trust your site is how trustworthy you are. If you have a proven track record of providing consistent, quality information to readers and customers, they will be more likely to find credibility in what you offer them on your website. On the other hand, if there is evidence of dishonesty or lack of trustworthiness, users will not look upon your site very highly.

3. No unnecessary requirements

If your website requires every user to create an account before they can comment or share your article, then that automatically decreases trust in your website. The more hoops a person has to jump through to use your website, the less likely they are going to want anything from it.

4. Adding helpful FAQs

One of the main reasons for a business website to exist is to solve a problem for the customer. Adding an FAQ section not only does that but also allows you a chance to market your products without making it salesy.

5. Minimize jargon while writing content

Using complicated jargon in your articles or blog posts can make it difficult for people to understand what you are trying to get at. If visitors cannot understand your content, they will not want anything to do with it and may even leave negative comments about how bad the post is making your company look in turn.

6. Punctuality

Writing new blog posts regularly is very important, but you also have to follow through with them. All posts scheduled for your website should be put out at their designated time, or people will lose interest and jump on to something else. To keep your users from leaving, you need to be on time every time. 

7. Avoid contradicting content

If some information about one of your products or services is false, you should correct it as soon as possible. If your company does not have a reputation for being trustworthy, people will assume the information on your website is false and choose to believe other companies over yours.

8. Minimize the ads on display

If your website is just one big ad for selling something, people will not trust it. If you want people to come back and use your site again, you should provide them with regular high-quality content that they will enjoy reading so much that they do not even think about the ads on display at all.

9. Cite your sources

If you are presenting any data, make sure you cite your sources. If you do not, people will think that you are just making up information to make your company look good.

10. Include a guestbook

Having an online guestbook on your website is another way of showing visitors how much trustworthiness and credibility they can have in what you offer them. This can be backed by the number of people who have signed on to the guest book.

11. Customer testimonials

Getting testimonials from your customers about their experience with you and your company is another excellent way to show visitors that many satisfied people have used what you offer.

12. Include customer reviews

Including customer reviews on your website is another way of showing that people are pleased with what you have to offer. Not only that, but it also allows potential customers to see how happy others were who bought from you so they can expect the same great experience for themselves.

13. Add trust seals

Adding trust symbols to your website is another excellent way of showing visitors that you are legitimate and serious about what you do. Similarly, including logos for any organizations or institutions with which you have partnered, worked with, or represented can help give even more credibility to your business and show people that they can continue to trust you.

14. Add social media buttons

Having your business’s name, address, and phone number prominently displayed on all of the pages of your website is another excellent way to show visitors that you are a legitimate company with a brick-and-mortar store. Another thing you can do to increase credibility on every page is add sharing buttons for various social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter.

15. Case studies

Consider adding them to your website if you have any case studies or testimonials from customers about how great it is to use your products and services. 

It’s not about the content you have; it’s about how your site is viewed. When visitors come to your website, they immediately judge whether or not they want to stay on that page and continue reading what you offer. You can use these factors to increase the credibility of your website. Did you find something that you could improve on?

Your website is the most crucial tool in your marketing arsenal. If you don’t have a quality website, no one will buy from you. With that in mind, it’s essential to maximize your potential by generating leads for your business through various sources. In this blog post, we’ll discuss a few different ways to generate more leads from your website and give examples of companies that have successfully done so!

Use opt-in campaigns to generate leads

Create opt-in campaigns that allow your visitors to sign up for a free trial or download an eBook in return for their email address. This allows you to nurture these leads and provide them with quality content through weekly emails, ultimately leading to more conversions when they are ready to buy from you!

Make your call to action visible and valuable

One of the biggest mistakes marketers make is neglecting to include a call-to-action on their website or making it too small and unobtrusive. Make sure your CTA stands out from the rest of your content so visitors can’t help but click on it!

Keep your messaging fresh

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is sticking with a website design for too long. Additionally, they tend to have static messaging on their site, which can become tiresome and monotonous for your visitors after a while. Make sure you are constantly changing up your content so that it doesn’t get stale!

Build trust into every aspect of your marketing campaign

A critical aspect of generating more leads on your website that is often overlooked is trust. When visitors land on your site, they want to feel confident that you are a reputable business and won’t take advantage of them. Ensure this feeling of trust stays throughout the marketing campaign so visitors don’t panic when it’s time for them to convert!

Add push alerts

Push alerts are an excellent way to engage with your visitors and increase conversions. They give users a reason to return to your site, which can drastically improve the likelihood of converting! Plus, it provides you with another opportunity for user-generated content through push alerts that mention how much they love your product or service!

Incentivize signups

Incentives not only provide you with more leads but also make signing up feel like less of a chore as well as leave visitors feeling satisfied after doing so. Additionally, this incentivizing increases overall brand awareness by having potential customers talk about their experience on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter – likely leading others who have been thinking about buying from you to follow suit.

Run a giveaway contest

Giveaway contests are another great way to generate more leads on your website. They build brand loyalty and awareness, ultimately increasing conversions as well! Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity for user-generated content through testimonials from satisfied customers who have won the contest – which can lead to an increase in social media shares amongst their friends and family members.

Speak with authority

One of the most prevalent mistakes marketers make is trying too hard to be someone they’re not. When visitors see these marketing campaigns, they will shy away because you come off as fake or disingenuous. Speak confidently about what you do so there isn’t any doubt within potential customers’ minds that your business is legitimate before making a purchase!

Increase your social media presence

Another way to increase leads on your website is by increasing your social media presence. This will lead to more organic users and those looking for a business like yours, which can lead to an uptick in conversions!

Build trust and authority

One of the most prominent mistakes marketers make is neglecting their customer service – which directly affects how much people trust you! Try focusing on building user-generated content through positive testimonials from satisfied customers or even case studies about individuals who have seen success after using your product or service. Additionally, this process should be expedited by having superior customer support so visitors feel confident dealing with professionals.

Gain valuable feedback from potential customers

It could be through surveys, polls, and other interactive tools that will help you understand your visitors better. This valuable information can be used to optimize your website for conversions and gain insight into what types of products and services they are interested in!

Use customer feedback to create new and improved content

By looking at your site analytics, you can better understand what your visitors want and use this information to create unique content that will be more appealing. For example, if you see a significant drop in conversions after publishing one blog post rather than others on similar topics – try creating a longer piece with even more helpful content!

Create video content

Videos are another great way to provide value for those who land on your website and help increase trust between potential customers and yourself. Using the same rules from above about how-to videos or case studies where users have seen success by using your product or service will lead to an uptick in conversions since they’ll feel confident enough to make their first purchase!

By following these tips, you will be able to generate more leads from your website. Also, remember that by creating user-generated content through positive testimonials or case studies where users have seen success after using your product or service – potential customers will feel confident enough to make their first purchase!

Everyone is always looking for new ways to improve their blogs. One way is through keyword density, which is the percentage of times a keyword appears on a web page. If you have optimized your blog to have an appropriate keyword density, then this article is not for you! However, if you are noticing some signs that your blog may be over-optimized, keep reading because we have compiled a list of seven common symptoms to help identify when it might be time to stop optimizing.

You have started focusing on non-relevant keywords

The goal is not to rank for every keyword related to your industry. It’s to target specific keywords that you want to rank for. If you are getting caught up in over-optimizing, you have likely started targeting completely irrelevant keywords. This will only cause Google to bury your site further down the SERP with unnatural links.

You start using long-tail phrases excessively

When writing content for a post, focus on creating fresh and unique content instead of simply compiling lists or adding too many variations of key terms into one article. Using long-tail phrases often results from over-optimizing because they can be seen as spam by Google algorithms if used excessively throughout posts on your website. If so, this behavior needs to stop! Start thinking about ways to create innovative, original content rather than just finding more things related to what you already wrote about.

You notice a lot of unnatural links on your website

One of the biggest signs you might be over-optimizing is when you see too many backlinks to unrelated resources and posts with little value for readers. Google can quickly tell if all these inbound links are coming from blog spam or junk sites that have no relevance to your content topic. If this is happening, it’s time to take action because increased spam linking will hurt your rankings! Look at how you link out within articles and make sure they contain quality information related to what you’re writing about. Also, keep an eye out for any new comments posted since publishing a post because Spam Bookmarks often leave external trackbacks as part of their campaign.

You have started to repeat keywords excessively throughout the same post

If you notice that your keyword appears too many times within a paragraph or sentence, it might be time to cut back. Repeating words in this manner can quickly get flagged by Google algorithms for being spammy and unnatural. Instead of tracking how many times your keywords appear on one blog post, start writing naturally about what’s relevant with quality information instead! Repeat phrases only if they sound natural while still leaving readers with an informative article at the end of the day.

People are continuously complaining that your articles read like advertisements

One sign over-optimization has seeped into your content strategy is when people complain after reading published on your website – “This sounds a lot like an advertisement.” If you have been pushing your product or service through blog posts, readers will definitely notice! Google’s AI is getting better and better at identifying when websites are just trying to sell something. This means that if the content being pushed on your site does not offer real value for users, it might get buried by search engines in favor of sites that provide more information about their products.

You find yourself posting similar topics over and over again

Do you notice some significant similarities between new articles posted on your website? For example, do they all share common keywords within each post title? Or maybe there seems to be a trend with how many words appear before and after specific terms throughout the written text? There’s nothing wrong with writing about similar topics, but if you notice these things frequently happening on your site, it’s time to take action! This is because writing about the same issue over and over again can get very repetitive for readers. If so, mix up content titles with new ideas that are relevant while still engaging users in unique ways!

You have shifted focus from content creation to content optimization excessively

When was the last time you wrote original content from scratch that offered real value to users? If that time frame is more than a day, then it’s time to stop. Content creation is the best way to keep visitors engaged on your site, while constantly trying to optimize content can be a very risky strategy. If you are not adding new relevant information to blog posts, Google will suggest users search for similar topics elsewhere!

If one of these signs has happened to you recently or seems like it might occur soon – it’s probably because there is too much focus on optimization rather than actual writing. When this happens, website traffic starts dropping, and people lose interest in what was once an informative publication online. To avoid this type of situation happening on your site, stop constantly worrying about SEO factors while writing articles – instead, stay focused on providing real value to your site’s visitors.