Ask yourself: How often do you venture to the second or third page of google search results? Chances are, you probably don’t do it too often. This is because you can typically find exactly what you’re looking for on the first page of the results.
So, why does this matter for businesses?
When your blogs and landing pages rank high in the SERPS, you gain a competitive edge over your competitors. If your brand can be found on this first page of the search results, you can rest assured that you’ll have a steady flow of website traffic to your site.
If you’re ready to prioritize your SEO initiatives, here’s everything you need to know:
Why is it important to rank on Google?
The higher your pages rank on Google, the more eyes you’ll get on your brand. If your website is coming up on the second or third page, you are less likely to reach individuals. With a buttoned-up search engine optimization strategy, you can continue to gain organic recognition that positively impacts your bottom line.
One of the best ways to do this is with blog content. Blogs help you educate and inform your audience about your products and services. However, you can’t just write a blog, post it, and call it a day. You’ll need to be strategic and purposeful to come out on top.
How to rank your first blog
Research long-tail keywords
Keywords are the phrases and words individuals type into the search bar when they’re looking for something. Understanding which keywords relate to your content the most will help you get your blog post to rank higher than your competition.
When conducting keyword research: You’ll want to focus on long-tail keywords rather than one-word keywords. These keywords are less competitive and are easier to rank for.
Before you sit down to write your first blog, make a list of long-tail keywords that relate to the theme of your blog. You can use Google’s Keyword Planner to help you get started.
Target keywords you’ll actually rank for
Keywords are arguably one of the most integral aspects of getting your content to rank. However, you’ll want to take a realistic approach to keywords.
For example, if you’re a floral company in Atlanta, you probably aren’t going to get your blog to rank for the keyword flowers. However, you might have a better chance of ranking for Florist in Atlanta.
To find out how competitive a keyword is, you’ll want to head to Google Search and type in the keyword. Take a look at the companies that are currently ranking for that keyword. Next, take a look at their domain authority. If they have high domain authority, it will be more challenging to rank for those keywords.
Quality over quantity
Google prioritizes content that takes a people-first approach. So, you’ll want to write for people, not a search engine. To do this, always focus on creating quality content over quantity. When writing a blog, always write for your audience. Consider what your audience is looking for and what questions you can answer. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- How-tos and tutorials
- Product overviews
- Tips, tricks, and techniques
- Actionable and easy-to-digest content
Keep things organized
After you write your first blog post, you’ll need to optimize and create a well-organized content page. Here are some tips for optimizing and organizing:
- Add H1s, H2s, and H3s
- Keep your keyword density below 2%
- Add in internal links
- Don’t forget the alt text for images
These are all things that Google is looking for and can improve your ranking if you prioritize.
Prioritize backlinks
Once your blog has been up for a while, it’s time to gain some backlinks. Backlinks are when other websites link to your blog. These are great for building your domain authority. If you write high-quality, relatable content, others will feel compelled to link to your blog. To generate more backlinks, you can reach out to bloggers, influencers, and other individuals in your industry that could benefit from backlinking to your content.
Improve your rankings with Byte Technology
Building out a search engine optimization strategy isn’t easy. With the ongoing Google updates and changes to how brands can rank in the SERPs: It can be challenging to improve your ranking and get the site traffic you desire.
That’s where Byte Technology is here to help. Our team is dedicated to helping you rank on the SERPs and gain the recognition you deserve.
Click here to learn more about our SEO services.
