Top 5 Techniques on SEO Writing

What do most website owners desire above all else?

The number one spot in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Then again, ranking second or third does not mean that you cannot direct traffic to your site. Reportedly, around 75% of Internet users never go beyond the first SERP. This implies that as long as you are on the top page, you have a high likely of getting the attention of your target audience.

So how can you land on the most-coveted position?

This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in. It generally involves the application of several strategies, which all aim to boost your website’s ranking in Google and other search engines.

Optimise Your Text Content

Now, while all SEO techniques are important, writing content is fundamental since many users tend to look for a bit of information on your pages.

Back in the days, this used to be a lot simpler. All you have to do was create an article with keywords, stuff them with links, and upload them.

Today, things are a little different, especially with the recent Google Panda and Penguin updates (which are data refreshes and algorithm changes).

So to help you out, I have gathered five valuable techniques.

Writing Web Content with SEO in Mind

1. Avoid keyword stuffing

Back in the 90s, many webmasters crammed their webpages with targeted words, hoping that search engines spot them first. See the sample below:

As you can see, climbing to the top of SERPs was as simple as learning to overcrowd a page with certain terms. This was the time when spiders crawl for keywords.

However, this technique no longer works these days as it may only have your website penalised.

What should you do?

• Look for the “most searched” words in your niche using particular online tools, such as Google AdWords or Insights for Search. By doing this, you will have an idea as to which terms you need to target.

• Produce an attention-grabbing and motivating article. Then, integrate your targeted keywords and phrases. This aspect is essential because even if you rank number 1 but your content does not make sense, the users will immediately “bounce” from your website, thereby decreasing quality traffic.

• Mention your main keyword twice (which is already the maximum amount) to prevent your information from sounding awkward. You have to remember that overstuffing will only put you at the bottom of SERPs.

2. Come up with unique, interesting, and useful topics

Some website owners still use spinning, which typically involves rewriting existing articles to give the subject another perspective.

Does it seem like a clever and quick way of creating content?

No, it is not, because it has a big downside—the posts have a tendency to be ungrammatical and non-sensible.

What should you do?

The answer is obvious; avoid it completely. Instead of taking on the easy method, you need to write original, compelling, and witty content.

While doing this can take time, consider your effort and hard work great investments. Besides, when the users see that your articles are fascinating, fresh, and valuable, they will keep coming back for more. Surely, you do not want to miss repeat visits from your target audience.

Of course, you must also take note of the first technique—avoid keyword stuffing.

3. Write catchy titles and then, optimise

Whenever you search for information on the Internet and the results come up, what do you read first? It is the title, right?

You are not the only looking into this aspect. Most users check it out too, whenever they need insight on certain matters, making our third strategy crucial.

What should you do?

• Use creative ways to state your title, maybe in a question to call-to-action form. For our topic on SEO writing, I used a direct statement. If I were going to come up with alternatives, I would change it to “How Do You Integrate SEO and Content Writing?” or “Learn Five Strategies on SEO Writing”.

• Limit the words to less than twelve or the characters within 60-65.

• As much as possible, place your keywords at the beginning.

4. Incorporate related links

Let us say that you have currently written an article on a certain topic and you want to add updates.

What should you do?

The best means is to write a post containing your new insights and then, link the content to the outdated page.

Alternatively, you can create generate backlinks for other sites, especially those within your niche and have earned high traffic already.

5. Write for your readers, not for SEO

There really is no other way to succeed at SEO writing.

Your articles should always be for your customers/viewers. What do they want to know? What topics do they wish to learn more? Will they find it useful or relevant? What news or updates are they searching?

As a writer, you must always strive to impress your readers, not with flowery words but with compelling and entertaining information.

Final Thoughts

What do you think of these suggestions? Are they similar to your own approach with SEO writing? What sort of changes have you had to adapt to keep up with Google’s Panda and Penguin updates?

Let me know by sending in your comments.