One challenge of hosting a website or blog is getting traffic. After all, if your ranking is low with popular search engines, very few people will even notice your site, let alone click on it. This is where SEO (search engine optimization) comes into play.
SEO is the science of using things like keywords, meta tags, and content to give your site the high ranking it needs to show up in a search. And those who rank higher with search engines aren't just lucky--they are well-versed in the tricks that keep them rising in the ranks. Let's take a look at five of those vital skills you can master with some practice:
1. Content: Quality content written with authority and confidence can really make or break your search engine optimization. Make sure the content on your site is relevant to the current day and your desired audience, is free of errors, and communicates that you know exactly what you're talking about. Do research, cite studies, and use language appropriate for the content and target audience. All of this will improve your site traffic.
2. Keep up to date: If you only post new content once in a while, search engines notice, and it greatly decreases your site rankings. Giving your audience new posts and articles not only shows you are invested in your site but also strengthens the perceived authority and expertise on the subjects you're trying to get across. If you can churn out content over and over again, users will assume that must mean you know what you're talking about. Keeping content going on a regular basis is also one of the biggest things that can increase your relevancy in search engines. That in itself is worth the work it takes to create new material regularly.
3. Keywords: When choosing keywords, think about what someone would search for to find your site. If you have a new post about the best lighting to use in photography, what kinds of phrases do you imagine a user would type in to find you? Perhaps "photography lighting," "the golden hour," or "how to get the best lighting for photos." Whatever topic you choose, really dig into what the most common search phrase would be. Also, using only one keyword phrase per post will optimize your rankings more than using multiple phrases. Using the phrase or words from the phrase in places like the title and headings is very important. And of course, include them in the body of the text in a natural way, without repeating the words/phrase so many times that it looks obviously forced and not occasionally placed.
4. Outside Links: One way to increase your SEO is to include links to sources and other relevant information. Not only does this back up your authority and knowledge, it naturally plays into the way your site will place in the ranks. When including a link, write out the description with at least one of your keywords in it, like "examples of the best photography lighting" instead of just a basic "click here for more information."
5. Meta tags: Using meta tags the right way is crucial in your SEO. It tells search engines information about your site and content, which then places it higher or lower in the ranks. When creating your title, don't make it too long, and use a keyword(s) relevant to your new content and site. Create new meta tags for each post and don't put in the same text each time. In the description tag, use keywords in a natural way, and keep it short--ideally under 160 characters. Something to note is that while the title meta tag is absolutely crucial to do the right way, the description--while important--doesn't play into search engine rankings nearly as much as the title tag does.
Using these practices will have a big impact on how you rank, but they might be overwhelming at first. What with learning how to put everything in, what keywords are best, and whether or not to include different settings in your meta tags, it can take a while to become proficient. But steadily, your traffic will rise and your SEO will improve more and more. Research and keep trying, and if you really put your best effort into it, it'll become second nature to you. Go get started!
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