Every piece of content posted online must target online consumers and be optimized for search engine algorithms. Focusing on one while ignoring the other is a sure recipe for failure. Failure, in this context, means missing out on being among the top-ranking websites.
Content for Search Engines
Search Engines have been programmed to provide users with accurate and relevant search results for the most authoritative sites. They use bots that “skim through” pages to check for the parameters mentioned above.
To achieve high search engine rankings, writers need to adhere to these guidelines:
· Ideal keyword density (3-5%).
· Non-plagiarized content that has been well categorized.
· Well-written articles using correct punctuation
· Word count of around 1,800 words per page.
· Specificity in the topics on each page.
Writing for Consumers
It is common knowledge that our brains are naturally lazy. Online consumers aren’t any different. They want to access the most accurate information with the least amount of effort.
Every content creator that is worth their salt knows this too well and strives to work towards ranking first among the billions of pages a simple search on Google yields.
Less than 16% of consumers read through the entire page. [Are you still reading?] Content creators should strive for the attention of their readers within the first few lines. The challenge is to create a vortex of the most accurate information that beats the system, i.e. search engine algorithms.
Below are a few pointers:
· Utilize brief paragraphs and not huge blocks of text.
· Use interesting and informative headings.
· Follow through with the most important information.
· Stick to simple and concise writing.
· Link your pages to other relevant pages.
· Bullet your lists.
What Makes for Good Content?
The keywords, relevant information, and themes in a page; these are the bare minimum to guarantee good content. Beyond that, use the following guidelines.
1. There should be between 1,800 words per page. This ensures that you remain an authority and still rank highly in search engines.
2. Keywords should be placed at the beginning of the H1 tag and appear at least once in the first paragraph. Even better, use it as the first word in the sentence or paragraph.
3. Restrict yourself to using a keyword density of 3-5% per page for both the primary and supporting keywords. This helps in achieving the right balance. A higher keyword density runs the risk of appearing like spam.
4. Be sure to have your content well-structured using short sentences and paragraphs. Such a structure makes it easier for search engines to scan and index your content.
5. Write original, unique and non-plagiarized content. The higher the degree of originality, the better rank your site’s pages receive.
6. Resist the urge to use more than 5 keywords. It is almost impossible to maintain the value of your page using more keywords.
Other good practices include having a call to action, posing questions to your readers, using simple language that translates to a higher readability score and checking spelling and grammar.
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