Updated January 2018
Guess what? SEO isn’t a scary thing. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be that technical. Good SEO is just good blogging.
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Last week, I read an income report of an up and coming blogger. In the article they said they consciously ignored all SEO strategies and then encouraged all new bloggers to ignore SEO.
Admittedly, I was a bit shocked. I took a look at their blog and I have to tell you that I think their blog has perfect SEO and matches Google’s SEO requirements spot on.
How so?
- The majority of their images are saved with proper names for the post and each has an alt tag describing the picture.
- Their permalinks are short and match the content of the post.
- The blog is easy to navigate with a simple menu directing readers to important pages and different categories.
- Their blog design in mobile friendly, which is really important to Google.
- Speaking of their blog design, it is a Restored 316 Designs child theme that runs on the Genesis Framework – which is known for its clean, SEO optimized coding: “State-of-the-art code and smart design architecture mean search engines see your content.”
- Their content is compelling and useful. Google says, “Creating compelling and useful content will likely influence your website more than any of the other factors discussed here“
- Each post has a meta title and meta description. These help search engines and readers know what the blog post is about.
- Not only do they use meta descriptions, but their site is also optimized with open-graph meta tags which greatly improve social sharing (they do this by using the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress)
- They encourage social sharing.
- Their site loads fast with premium hosting.
You’re probably better at SEO than you think!
I’m guessing that you are also already doing most of these things too. You’re an SEO pro and you didn’t even know it!
Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide is one of my favorite resources for SEO. The first time I read it, my thoughts went like this:
“Oh good! I’m going to learn all of Google’s tips and tricks for best SEO”
Read the 32 page starter guide,
“Wait, they just told me how to write a good blog/website”
Let it sink in
“Oh, Google just wants me to provide quality content to my readers, that is easy to navigate and is relevant to the topic of the post”
From Google,
Search engine optimization is often about making small modifications to parts of your website. When viewed individually, these changes might seem like incremental improvements, but when combined with other optimizations, they could have a noticeable impact on your site’s user experience and performance in organic search results. You’re likely already familiar with many of the topics in this guide, because they’re essential ingredients for any web page, but you may not be making the most out of them.
Even though this guide’s title contains the words “search engine”, we’d like to say that you should base your optimization decisions first and foremost on what’s best for the visitors of your site. They’re the main consumers of your content and are using search engines to find your work. Focusing too hard on specific tweaks to gain ranking in the organic results of search engines may not deliver the desired results. Search engine optimization is about putting your site’s best foot forward when it comes to visibility in search engines, but your ultimate consumers are your users, not search engines.”
SEO doesn’t have to be scary or a super technical thing. In fact, if it is getting too technical than you are probably dabbling into spammy techniques. Google sets up its algorithms to help its users find accurate, quality content in relation to what they are searching for. By practicing good blogging techniques, you are working on your SEO.
If you would like to dig into the depths of SEO, you can. Authority Hacker has an in-depth guide to writing content for SEO. It’s worth checking out. If you’re not up for that much information yet, don’t sweat it. Focus on these things:
SEO can be easy
If you focus your SEO effort on these 12 things your blog will have solid optimization in place.
- Optimize images for SEO
- Use a simple permalink structure (that’s the URL for the post)
- Make it easy to navigate your blog and use clear categories.
- Have a mobile friendly site
- Use a premium theme like Genesis. – which is known for its clean, SEO optimized coding: “State-of-the-art code and smart design architecture mean search engines see your content.”
- Write compelling and useful content.
- Write a meta title and meta description for every post.
- Enable open-graph meta tags (Do this by using the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress OR the Social Warfare Plugin)
- Encourage social sharing.
- Use a good web host and make sure the plan is the right size for your traffic. Too many bloggers are running their blogs on too low of plans for their content+audience size.
- Focus on keywords that match your audience and content.
- IMPORTANT: write content that people want to read.
You got this! Don’t over think, just blog well and SEO will fall into place!
This was a really clear & concise post. I like how you just mention all of the small things you can do to boost your SEO, without focusing on anything technical. Definitely helps to read this to know I’m on the right track. Thanks for a great read.
Jamie Boucher | Bristolian Abroad
You are very welcome. SEO is possible for even the least non-techy of us. Best of l uck!
I too wish for the blessed SEO guide is possible. I’m not sure if its private but who is the up and coming blogger mentioned? I’m curious to observe a natural at work 😉
Thanks for the write up, its so simple yet totally logical too.
Haha, it was a long time ago now.
I don’t have an SEO guide, but you can check out this one: https://www.authorityhacker.com/seo-copywriting it covers everything!
Thank you for putting this out there. The thought of SEO freaked me out at first. I wish I would have a came across this a few months ago. But you just reassured
Me so Thank you and I am sure what ever other content you decide to put out here will be helpful.
Yay, glad you won’t be freaking out anymore!
Thanks for the useful information on SEO. I own a photography website and I am happy to say that our marketing team takes care of our SEO. Our in house Photographers write our blogs. How often should be posting up a blog as there is always much debate on this.
That’s definitely the biggest debate! For a photography blog, I would just be posting as you have new sessions or tips to share.
Hey Kristie! Please post a guide on google’s SEO. It would help a lot! I am thinking about starting a blog about how to deal with insecurities, depression and relative stuffs! Please let me know what do you think about this blog idea and will it get traffic or not? Thanks! 😀
When I decided to worry about all the technical things that come with blogging, my mind became clear. What a person should do is to just start because you spend so much time researching and not starting your blog. You will learn as you go
Amazing article. I’m just a begginer blogger, but I’m learning.
http://www.mcarolina.com.br
Well search engine optimization is all about boosting website ranking and these techniques that you have mention is really going to help us. Thank you so much for sharing this post. Keep posting and keep growing.
You’re welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
Nice an simple overview. I love that you make it feel possible to the beginner and average bloggers.
Thanks Roger, that was my goal with this post, so I’m glad to hear it’s understandable!
I’d love to see a series. Did you do it or still working on it?
It got put on the backburner while I work on other big projects. Planning on doing the SEO series in the late fall though!
Thankyou so very much for SEO 101class, i find it really difficult to navigate and look forward to more helpful tips!
You’re welcome. Any specific questions for me?
Excellent post! Timely subject. As an entrepreneur who has more daily tasks than time, anything that simplifies a subject that isn’t in my “zone of genius” is a godsend to me. Very reassuring and I’d be interested in your series.
Hi Lisa, thank you for taking the time to comment. Glad you found this SEO explanation reassuring. I’ll let you know when I start the series!
I would be very interested in this! I’ve started up a new blog and want to give it my best. Thanks 🙂
This series is in the works, I’ll let you know when it goes live. For now, just focus on putting out original, quality content!
Nice to meet you last week. Thanks for walking me in the right direction (after the Google presentation.) I’m enjoying all your articles. Am very interested in SEO, in fact was going to pay a specialist big bucks just last week. Then decided I needed to write some more! so will look forward to your upcoming blogs about it.
It was nice to meet you too! I’m glad you found my blog, let me know if there are any posts you would like to see.
this is why I love reading your posts. You are clear, concise, and to the point. I went down your list and checked everything on your list that I am doing. Yea for me 🙂 You are one of the only tech blogs I read now, because of the above… Yes I am interested in reading more on SEO, and how one can keep on improving. thanks
xoxoxo
This comment made my day. Seriously, I’ve been thinking about it all day. Thanks Ray.
this is great! I’m new to blogging and I need all I can get my hands on! Thanks!
Glad you liked it, let me know if you have any questions for me. Good luck blogging!
This was a great check up for my blog! Thanks for always being such a blessing!
It’s always good to know you’re doing something right!
Oh perfect timing…another blogger and I were just discussing this. It’s hard to find a good, easy to understand post on SEO.
It’s pinned!
Jen
There will be more like this soon!
Pinned and SO true 🙂
🙂 Yes it is and you’re a perfect example of this.
This article is spot on! Back when I didn’t know a thing about SEO, I wrote a post that today ranks number 1 on Google search. I wrote it effortlessly, just thinking as my readers would. So, yes it’s definitely about good blogging. 🙂
Needless to say, me too would love to see a series of Google’s SEO guide.
Thank you Kristie!!
That’s awesome about your post! I’ll work on that series.
I would LOVE to see a series on SEO–it’s one of my weak points I think and something I definitely don’t understand fully. I’d love to learn more!
It’s in the plans!
It would be great to see a walk thru of Google’s SEO guide. Would help us newbies alot. Thank you for all your help.
Any particular questions you’d like me to address?
Would love to see a series!
Thanks for the feedback, I’ll work on it!