Welcome! If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’re interested in learning the magical art of SEO copywriting. Stick around and I’ll do my best to explain what it’s all about in an entertaining yet informative way.
By the end, you’ll understand exactly what SEO copywriting is, why SEO is important, and how to start optimizing your writing to attract more eyeballs to your content. But before we dive into the nitty gritty details, let’s start with the basics – what is SEO copywriting anyway?
SEO copywriting is writing content that targets relevant keyword phrases in order to rank highly in search engines and get more website traffic.
Unlike regular copywriting which is just focused on engaging readers, SEO copywriting has to do two things at once – appeal to readers and also appeal to search engines like Google.
Some key things SEO copywriters do include:
The goal is to rank content high up in the search results and also convince searchers to click and read the content once they see it. This leads to more website visitors and customers over time.
So in essence, SEO copywriting uses keywords strategically throughout the writing process to attract search traffic from Google and other search engines. The focus is both people and search bots!
To help you master SEO copywriting, I have created a free SEO copywriting checklist that covers the essential tips and strategies outlined in this article. You can use as a handy reference when optimizing your own website content for search engines and converting readers. With this checklist, you’ll have a valuable resource to boost your SEO content and see greater results from your efforts!
Okay, with the basics covered let’s get into some more specific tips and best practices for crafting top-notch SEO copy. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
As with any SEO effort, start by thoroughly researching your target keywords. Use tools like Ahrefs to find low-competition keywords with decent search volumes your audience would use.
Aim for a good mix of head and long tail keywords to cast a wider net. And don’t forget related keyword clusters – similar search terms surrounding your main keywords. Weaving these throughout your content expands your reach.
With the right keywords in mind, it’s time to start writing. Be sure to naturally incorporate your targets in:
Speaking of which, thoroughness is key. Fully answer the user question or provide a complete guide on the topic. Leave no stone unturned. This builds trust and demonstrates expertise.
While optimizing on-page, don’t forget humans need to actually read and enjoy your content. Use clean formatting with:
Make it easily scannable yet compelling enough for readers to want to share on social platforms. Social signals also help boost your rankings.
Off-page factors like links are just as important for SEO as on-page. To get other high-authority sites to link back to your content, you’ll need to make it:
Some link building tactics to try include:
It takes time to develop a quality backlink profile, so be patient and focus on creating great long-form content others will want to link to naturally.
With more users querying devices like Alexa and Siri, optimizing for voice search will become increasingly important. Some tips:
Voice search favors snippets that directly answer the question, so structure accordingly. Test reading your copy out loud to refine.
The SEO copywriting process is never truly complete. Continually monitor your rankings and performance. See what’s working and what needs improvement. Test new optimizations and be willing to refine your approach.
Use analytics to understand user behavior too. Make updates based on data to keep enhancing the reader and search engine experience. SEO is an ongoing journey, so stay nimble and learning.
If your business has a local presence, focus on location-specific keywords and optimize your Google My Business profile. Write content tailored for customers within a certain radius and mention your address/phone number.
In addition to head terms, dig deeper to find very low-competition, highly-specific keywords with lower search volumes. These long tails can still drive valuable targeted traffic.
Mobile users have different intents than desktop visitors. Craft versions of pages personalized for phones vs laptops vs tablets. Optimize elements like formatting, above-the-fold content, and call-to-actions.
Group related content into internal “topic clusters” that naturally link to each other. This helps search engines understand your authority on an overarching subject and can boost rankings for all pages in the cluster.
Add schema to pages like FAQs, recipes, reviews, and products to better convey page intent to bots. This could aid rankings since search engines may treat structured content differently.
Pay attention to regular ups and downs in performance. Major algorithm updates from Google can cause temporary dips. Refine based on patterns rather than panicking over small blips.
Follow SEO news and new ranking factor discussions to stay on top of algorithm changes. Be ready to test and tweak based on updates to factors like mobile-friendliness, site speed, and more.
No one truly knows how search engines work, so don’t assume strategies will always be effective. Continually experiment with different optimizations to learn what really moves the needle for your specific site and industry.
Alright, we’ve covered a ton of tips for crafting effective SEO copy. To wrap things up, here are a few final points:
While search engines are important, never lose sight of why people visit your site in the first place – to find helpful information. Write to satisfy real questions and needs, not just bots.
Top rankings rarely happen overnight. Be consistent in your publishing and continually refine your approach monthly/quarterly. Authority compounds with each new piece of quality content.
Great SEO tools exist to help guide your efforts, but algorithms change. Stay versatile and test your own theories based on data rather than tool predictions alone.
If you lack SEO/writing experience, consider outsourcing initial content production or audits to an agency. Just ensure any partner fully understands your business goals and brand voice.
SEO is a lifelong journey. Continue advancing your skills through online courses, conferences, and industry discussions. Approach content as an opportunity to share your knowledge and enjoy the process.
The time it takes for new content to begin ranking in search engines depends on a few key factors:
On average across site niches and keyword difficulties, expect newly published pages that follow expert SEO best practices to potentially start appearing for related search queries within 6-12 weeks.
With ongoing promotion and link building efforts after publishing, your content can accelerate up the first page results even faster over subsequent months. Creating truly stellar assets that organically capture audience attention is key!
The more value your content offers to readers, the quicker Google will reward it with higher rankings. So stay patient and persistent with optimizing and promoting each new piece of content for maximum search visibility over time.
Keyword density measures keywords as a % of total words. Most experts recommend densities between 1-3% meaning keywords appear just 2-4 times for 500-word articles. Be careful not to over-optimize!
Semrush writes that longer content over 2,000 words consistently outperforms shorter posts for higher rankings and organic traffic, likely due to perceived depth and authority on topics.
While tough for competitive niches, exceptionally useful, keyword-rich content targeting searcher intent can potentially grab a first page spot without requiring extensive backlinks. Creating truly remarkable resources searchers love gives you a fighting chance!
Link to related content across your site frequently using anchor text keywords you want each page to rank for. This imitates external backlinks within your site for boosted relevance signals.
Yes take advantage of image SEO – rename files and use descriptive alt text with target keywords where logical. Don’t force keywords that don’t fit the image though. Moderation is key.