So what exactly does an SEO article really mean and how exactly do we make them? Technical terms can really be confusing. And for the newbie writer or blogger, the plethora of technical terms can be a maze that could leave them only dumbfounded.
It all starts with great content are one of the most popular clichés in writing circles. And this is for good reason too, because it is the only thing that keeps your visitors coming back to your website. But what’s the use of great content if nobody ever gets to see it.
Keywords play an important role in getting your website ranked higher in search engines. And using them in the pages and content we put in our website is where its true magic really comes into play.
Choosing Keywords
The first order of the day is to determine the keywords that should be used. For the uninitiated and new bloggers this is easier said than done. If you’ve basically been a writer or don’t have any technical background in keyword research, figuring out the best keywords could be a daunting task indeed.
Luckily, there are some websites and applications that are easy enough to use. All that’s required is to register an account and the best thing about them is that they’re pretty easy to use.
• Google Adwords Search Tool
• SEO Book Keyword Tool
• Keyword Discovery Search Tool
• Wordtracker
Google’s application in my opinion remains to be the best choice. It is quite comprehensive and easy to use. It includes a number of features that where keywords could be selected in the basis of traffic and popularity. Coming from the most trusted search engine, Google surely knows a thing or two on what keywords should be targeted.
You can also check your competition’s keywords by entering their website address. This gives you a glimpse on the keywords being used and could be a good basis for your keyword strategy as well.
For those with a few dollars to spare, using Wordtracker can be one of the best money can buy. This application is certainly more versatile than their free counterparts. One key feature is its ability to show similar websites in your niche. This could be done by entering the keyword you are targeting and it would show you websites that are currently ranked high for those keywords.
Keyword Density
After choosing which keywords to use the next thing to consider is how many keywords should be used in the article. You might end up with an article that is stuffed with keywords that is great for search engines but does nothing much in terms of content quality.
Most SEO strategist considers 3-5 percent keyword density to be most ideal. This figure could go as high as ten percent but this could leave you with a keyword stuffed article. Stuffing your articles with keywords is also a practice that is frowned upon by search engines. This could get your content labeled as spam and get your website banned by search engines.
Again, there are a number of tools and applications which can help you determine the perfect number of keywords according to the length of your article. Scribe SEO is our favorite plugin for helping you optimize each post you publish.
Keyword Placement
So you’ve already identified what keywords to use and the amount of keywords needed for the article. The last step in the process is where you should place the keywords.
Search engine spiders also consider where these keywords are placed. One good technique to employ is the inverted pyramid. This is done by using more keywords at the start and lessening their numbers at the end of the article. Search engines crawl over the start of the article so placing two or three keywords is ideal. It then moves towards the end of the article where it again identifies keywords used.
SEO need not be hard given some simple research into what makes it work. Start with the basics and gradually move to more complex strategies. The success of your website is only as good as the effort you place in it. It all starts with great content but you have to consider the technical side of website development as well. Keywords are just some of the important ingredients that make each website a truly successful one.
Author: Michael Scottsdale
Michael Scottsdale is a professional writer and currently works as a consultant for online businesses. When he’s not writing for Intermedia’s Hosted Exchange, he could be found blogging about simple tips on how people could take advantage of the internet’s numerous business opportunities.
