There is so much information on the internet about SEO. Some are right, some are wrong, and we don’t really know; it’s just an idea we have, but only Google knows if it truly works. Often SEO experts will suddenly claim groundbreaking new techniques that go entirely against what we’ve believed for years; sometimes, they’re right, and sometimes it’s just a way to sell their platform. So how do we know what works and what doesn’t? The honest answer is trial and error, but a few things are primordial to SEO and are almost set in stone. So let’s look together at the ten commandments of on-site SEO.
NICHE
It’s crucial to select the appropriate niche that resonates with you. However, what precisely is the right niche?
Well, the ideal niche should fulfil a few criteria, such as being something that:
- ignites your passion and keeps you motivated.
- you have a vast knowledge of and can share personal experiences.
- you can produce extensive content, starting with 100 posts, without losing your enthusiasm.
- has a gap in the market, meaning that there aren’t already millions of sites competing for the top spot.
- has the potential to generate revenue.
You’re undoubtedly on the right track if you can identify a niche that ticks all these boxes!
KEYWORDS & CONTENT
If you’re looking to create compelling content, conducting thorough keyword research and developing a content plan is essential.
First, start by compiling a list of keywords relevant to your niche and create a map to organise them.
Your articles should aim to answer common questions related to your niche, which can be achieved by utilising a mix of different types of keywords, such as:
- How-to guides for a specific topic (e.g., “How to bake a cake”)
- Queries asking if something is possible or achievable (e.g., “Can you lose weight without exercise?”)
- Evaluative questions, asking if something is worth pursuing or investing in (e.g., “Should you buy a new car or lease one?”)
- Topical lists featuring the best items, products or services (e.g., “Best beauty products for oily skin”)
- Comparative content that compares different options or alternatives (e.g., “Apple vs Samsung: Which smartphone is better?”)
To begin with, aim to jot down around 50 article ideas based on these keyword variations. However, your ultimate goal should be to develop at least 100 ideas to form your content strategy’s basis.
COMPETITION ANALYSIS
Assessing your niche’s competition is essential before diving into creating your content.
To do this, start by typing your target keyword into a search engine like Google and analysing the top three results.
Here are a few factors to consider when assessing your competition:
- Length of the content: Check the length of the articles ranking in the top spots. Longer-form content tends to rank higher, so aim to create in-depth and comprehensive content that provides value to your audience. As a rule of thumb, always aim for a minimum of 1500 words.
- Quality of writing: Evaluate the writing style and tone of the articles in the top spots. You always want to ensure your content is well-written, engaging, and error-free.
- Age of domain: Consider the age of the domains ranking high for your target keyword. Older domains tend to have more authority and can be harder to compete against, so focus on creating high-quality content to build your domain’s reputation.
- Authority of the website: Check the authority of the websites ranking high in your niche. Only Google knows the actual authority of a website, but to get an idea, you can use Moz’s Domain Authority (DA) or Ahref’s Domain Rating (DR). Look for signs of expertise, credibility, and trustworthiness to improve your content and site’s overall authority.
Additionally, forums and thin content can be good indicators that you have a chance to rank for the keyword. Use this information to refine your content plan from the previous section to provide value to your audience and stand out from the competition.
START TO PUBLISH ARTICLES
A consistent publishing schedule is essential for building an engaged audience, but publishing new content daily is unnecessary. Still, if you can keep a steady supply of quality articles to cover your niche and user intent, go ahead! But for the rest of us mortals, aim to publish at least two weekly articles, equating to one post every 3.5 days.
It’s important to avoid mass publishing articles in a short period of time. Instead, focus on drip-feeding your content to your audience to maintain their interest and keep them engaged.
Decide what works best for you and your schedule. For example, some find it helpful to set aside time for writing and hammering out articles in one sitting, as this allows them to focus their energy and attention on the task at hand and ensure that my content is high-quality and engaging.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to content creation. Establishing and sticking to a regular publishing schedule can build a loyal audience and drive traffic growth over time. So, just write and have fun with it!
DATA STRUCTURE
When it comes to optimising your content for search engines, having a clear and organised data structure is crucial.
Ensure you have your H1, H2, and H3 headings in order, as this will help Google better understand your content and improve your ranking.
It’s best to have one H1 tag per page, with your post title (H1) including your target keyword to signal the topic of your content to search engines.
For the main headings within your post, use H2 tags. For subheadings, use H3 tags–this helps establish a clear hierarchy of information and makes it easier for search engines and readers to navigate and understand your content.
Optimising your data structure and using appropriate headings can improve the overall quality of your content and boost your search engine ranking.
PROOFREAD
Ensuring your content is error-free before publishing it on your site is essential. Spelling and grammatical errors can make your site seem unprofessional and reduce credibility.
These errors don’t directly affect your search engine ranking; they can still impact your site’s performance by increasing bounce rates and driving potential visitors away.
If you need more confidence in your editing skills, consider using a tool like Grammarly to help you identify and correct any mistakes in your content. Another option is to have someone else proofread your articles before publishing them to ensure they are error-free and easy to read.
By re-reading and editing your content thoroughly, you can improve the overall quality of your site and build trust with your audience, which can ultimately lead to increased traffic and engagement.
INTERNAL LINKS
It’s always a good idea to include internal links within your content. By linking relevant keywords to their corresponding landing pages, you can improve the user experience and help search engines better understand the structure of your site.
Many experts consider internal linking a critical ranking factor for Google, so it’s worth taking the time to implement this strategy on your site.
If you need help figuring out where to start, tools are available to help you automatically add internal links to your content. For example, Link Whisper is one tool that can help you identify relevant pages to link to and streamline the process of adding internal links.
IMAGES
Ever heard the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words? That’s why including a featured image in your articles is essential.
Although using original images is ideal, don’t fret if you have none. Stock images can serve the purpose just as well.
The key is to have an image that communicates the essence of your article. It sets the tone and prepares the reader for what’s to come.
It’s a good practice to have at least one image for every 350 words. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s a valuable guideline.
If you’re looking for a free and easy-to-use tool to create your images, Canva is an excellent option.
METADATA LENGTH
Did you know that the length of your metadata can significantly impact how your content appears in search engine results?
To ensure that your page title shows fully in Google’s SERPs, keep it under either 65 characters or 580 characters, depending on the format. If your title is longer than that, Google will cut it down, which can harm your click-through rate.
Similarly, your meta descriptions should ideally be between 155 to 160 characters or a maximum of 920 pixels wide to provide concise and informative information about your content to search engine users.
I like to use a tool to measure the number of characters in my titles accurately. There are quite a few out there, but I prefer this one.
GENERATE INTEREST!
Make your titles catchy! An attention-grabbing title can make all the difference in whether or not someone clicks on your content. You’ll want to make your headline stand out rather than settling for a dull title that could turn off potential readers.
One effective strategy is to use captivating language that piques people’s curiosity. For example, words like “Revealed,” “Explained,” “Listed,” “Helpful,” “Unique,” “Complete,” and “Best” can add a level of intrigue to your title that entices people to click and read on.
While clickbait tactics can be effective, ensuring that your title accurately represents the content you’re providing is vital. So, aim to strike a balance between eye-catching and informative to deliver an appealing and trustworthy title.
By crafting catchy titles, you’ll be well on your way to increasing your clickthrough rate and drawing in more readers.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, mastering the 10 commandments of on-site SEO can take your website to the next level and help you achieve your goals in the digital realm. By following these rules, you can create a strong foundation for your online presence, increase your visibility in search engine results, and attract more targeted traffic to your site.
While the world of SEO is ever-changing, these core principles have stood the test of time and continue to be crucial for online success. So, whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your existing SEO strategy, these 10 commandments are a great place to start.
Remember to prioritise user experience, create valuable content, build quality backlinks, and stay up-to-date with the latest best practices. Then, with dedication and consistency, you’ll be on your way to achieving your SEO goals and reaping the benefits of a solid online presence.
If you have a business here in Australia business, have you made a listing on the Australian business directory? It won’t make or break your backlink profile, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. To get started, click the big yellow button in the top right corner entitled Add Listing.