Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a vital role in content marketing programs by making your content visible on search engines like Google and Bing. If not optimized for search, content can be challenging to find, and customers won’t discover your articles. 

The key to striking a balance between helpful content that urges users to take action and creating content that’s easy to find lies within SEO. Here are four simple ways you can optimize content without sacrificing quality:

1. Determine Target Keywords

A keyword is a word or phrase people use to find content online. When Google indexes a website or a piece of content, it considers several factors in determining your ranking against others sites. 

Search engines take into consideration keywords and how they were used. Because your ranking dictates where you appear in search results, selecting the right keywords is crucial. You may use Google’s free Adwords Keyword Tool, which tells you the number of monthly searches and the competition based on advertising spend for sponsored links. 

Generally, it’s best to choose keywords with low to medium competition rates and search volumes since you have a better chance of ranking well. This is in comparison to high-volume keywords that more prominent brands most likely use.

Lastly, don’t forget to include your keyword in your title, meta description, URL, subheads, and a few more times throughout your content.

2. Follow Appropriate Article Length

Since Google prioritizes quality, having an adequate word count is essential. Generally, 500 words or more will suffice for an article or blog post, but you need to be sure that the flow is clear and concise.

3. Share Your Content

Content that is shared, posted on other platforms, or linked back to credible sites improves your SEO ranking and effectively drives more traffic to your website. You can reach out to popular editors and reports about relevant article ideas related to recent news and important industry trends. 

Know and understand the outlet and tailor your content to your audience. With time and resource-strapped new outlets, you can see being a contributor is easier than ever.

4. Develop Your Niche

Due to the growing amounts of content online, differentiating your work is essential. With that said, you can develop your own niche that you can focus on to create a loyal audience. When you post several pieces of content around a specific topic or expertise, Google will see that you are an authority on that subject matter. 

So, be sure to create a compelling theme that is relevant to your target audience. Moreover, continue to develop content around the same topic so you can increase shares, backlinks, and reader engagement.

Conclusion

While SEO can be complex and intricate, following these basic steps will offer a strong foundation for creating search-friendly content. When you incorporate SEO best practices into your content development process, you can effectively drive traffic to your site, raise your brand’s visibility, and position your company as an expert in your field. 

Calling Digital is a creative digital marketing agency in beautiful Belton, Texas, with a growing office in Frisco, Texas. Our passionate agency fuels your business with powerful and innovative digital marketing strategies. If you want to get more organic traffic, boost your search engine ranking, or optimize local SEO services in Texas, get in touch with us today!