You may have heard the expression “you are what you eat.” This phrase means that your diet directly impacts your physical and mental health, as well as how you look and feel.
The same is true of search engine optimization (SEO). You are what Google thinks you are – which is to say, if Google doesn’t think your website is relevant, neither will your potential customers.
The secret to success in the online world is to make sure your website appears as high up as possible on Google’s search engine results pages (SERPS), and there is one tried-and-true way to do that: SEO.
If you run a business or are trying to break through in your field with a blog or personal website, then you need to understand and employ SEO if you want anyone to find you online.
What is SEO, and why does it matter?
Search engine optimization (SEO) improves the visibility and organic search results of a website or web page in Google and other global search engines. It can also play a role in your social media engagement and conversion.
SEO involves optimizing the website content, structure, and on-page elements like titles, metatags, and anchor text and developing off-page SEO tactics like link building and social media engagement.
SEO matters because it is how potential customers find your website when searching for products or services online.
The importance of keywords & backlinks in SEO
The foundation of any good SEO strategy is keyword research. You need to identify the keywords and phrases that your potential customers are using to search for the products or services, and then make sure those keywords are prominently featured on your website.
You can accomplish this by including them in your website copy and your titles, metatags, and anchor text.
Including keywords in your website copy will help Google understand what your website is about and rank it accordingly.
Use keyword-rich phrases naturally throughout your content, without "stuffing” them in or resorting to gimmicky tricks like hidden text or white font on a white background.
Not only will this irritate your human readers, but it will also get you penalized by Google.
The importance of backlinks in SEO
In addition to on-page optimization, another vital part of any good SEO strategy is link building. Link building is the process of acquiring links from other websites to yours.
Backlinks are important because they signal to Google that your website is relevant and trustworthy. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your website will rank on Google’s SERPS.
There are several ways to build links, including guest blogging, directory listings, and social media engagement.
The most important thing to remember is to focus on quality, not quantity. It’s better to have a few high-quality backlinks than a bunch of low-quality ones.
5 tips for creating a well-optimized website for search engines
1. Do your keyword research:
Identify the keywords and phrases your potential customers use to search for the products or services you offer and make sure those keywords are prominently featured on your website.
There are several tools online that you can use to help with your keyword research, including Google’s Keyword Planner. I'm a fan of Ubersuggest, which offers a more comprehensive keyword suggestion tool.
2. Include keywords throughout your website copy:
In addition to including keywords in your titles, metatags, and anchor text, you should also use them naturally throughout your website copy.
Remember to focus on quality, not quantity. Stuffing your content with too many keywords will not only irritate your human readers, but it can also get you penalized by Google.
3. Optimize your website for mobile:
More and more people use their smartphones and other mobile devices to search the internet.
Make sure your website is optimized for mobile by using a responsive design that scales to fit all screen sizes or creating a separate mobile website.
Engaging landing pages are a great way to boost conversion and raise your SERP ranking.
4. Improve your website’s loading speed:
Google has stated that website speed is a ranking factor, so it’s essential to make sure your website loads quickly.
There are a number of ways to improve your website’s loading speed, including using a content delivery network (CDN), optimizing your images, and reducing the amount of code on your website.
Many tools that help you track SEO keywords will also audit your site for responsiveness and loading times.
5. Write and post quality blogs:
In addition to including keywords throughout your website copy, you can also use them in your blog posts to help improve your website’s SEO.
Not only will this help Google understand what your website is about and rank it accordingly, but it will also give you an opportunity to engage with your potential customers and build relationships with other businesses in your industry.
Enhance Your SEO with Copywriting
By following these tips, you can create a well-optimized website that will help improve your organic search results and attract more visitors to your site.
Want to learn more about how SEO can help your business? Contact me today to learn how copywriting plays an integral role in all aspects of SEO.
Pipe & Pen Writing Services specializes in SEO copywriting, web copywriting, and ghostwriting services.