Relevant content creation is the most effective technique for search engine optimization, according to the marketers surveyed for Ascend2’s June 2015 report. It’s also tricky, which is why 46 percent of those surveyed also labeled it as the most difficult SEO technique. If quality content is the real secret to SEO, but even marketers find generating relevant content tough, how do you manage to create great content for your website? For starters, use these nine tips.
1. Start Strong With Attention-Grabbing Headlines
Your content is only as strong as its headline. If your headline doesn’t grab the reader, they aren’t likely to read any further. This means that you should consider your headline equal to the entire article in terms of importance. Don’t rush your headline creation and never settle for okay. Take time to play with various possibilities and select the best one.
2. Embrace Uniqueness
If you want search engines to rank your website well, increasing your exposure and traffic, then original content is a must. Google’s algorithms are designed to reward websites with unique content and penalize those that rely on duplicate content. To keep the search engines and your audience happy, express your ideas in a new way or hire someone who can do the job for you.
3. Engage Your Audience
Even the wittiest monologue will only hold an audience’s attention for so long. While writing content may feel like shouting in the void, your goal is to create interaction by engaging your audience. How do you do it? Create thought-provoking content that drives your audience to comment, share your post or take some other desired action.
4. Update Continually
No one wants to read the same thing over and over again. To keep traffic flowing at your website, you need to feed the beast with fresh, new content. How often should you add new updates? While this depends on your niche and your resources, experts typically recommend that websites post something new at least twice a week.
5. Offer Answers
Do you remember the smart kid in the class who always had the right answer? This was the student everyone else turned to when they needed assistance or guidance. Filling your website with great content is like being that smart student. You’ll have the answers that your readers need, and they’ll know they can rely on you whenever they need a little help. Content that is informative and accessible will build your company’s audience, forging a connection with potential customers and establishing you as an expert in your field.
6. Apply Your Content
It’s human nature to be more invested in things that affect you. Put this predictable trait to work in your website content by creating entries that do more than inform your audience. Show them how the information you’re providing impacts their lives. Why does it matter to them? How can they use it to improve their own situation? Examples that demonstrate practical applications or questions that make your reader think are great ways to accomplish this without being too preachy.
7. Stay Accurate
Inaccuracies and misconceptions in your content do far more than harm your website’s standing. They can damage the credibility of your company. On the flip side, presenting content that is accurate and honest builds trust. Ensuring that your content is accurate and that any sources you link to are reliable is critical in earning the respect and attention of your audience and improving your page’s rank with search engines. Likewise, make sure that your content is well-written and free of mistakes. Regardless of your niche, poorly organized posts full of grammatical errors can make your audience doubt your expertise.
8. Show and Tell
Sometimes, words aren’t enough. While the design of your website sets the stage for its visual appeal, your content is another factor in its appearance. Make your website more engaging and interesting by mixing things up with infographics, pictures and videos that enhance your message. Use headings and lists to break up walls of text and make the pertinent points of your content readily accessible to readers.
9. Value Brevity
What is the best length for a blog post? It depends. Ideally, you should use the number of words you need to convey what you intend to say in an effective manner. If you’re providing an in-depth look at a subject, you’ll probably have a longer post. For informative overviews, you can keep it short and sweet. Whether your post is long or short, make sure that you don’t waste words or your audience’s attention with filler.
Winning the approval of both people and search engines may be difficult, but it can be done. Continually adding top-quality content to your website is the key.
