There’s lots of information about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) available and there are many SEO professionals and companies that you can hire. There are also some very basic steps that you can take on your own. It starts with knowing who your target customer/client is and how they search for you online.
So, let’s assume that you know three things. #1 – You know which keywords you’re optimizing your blog post for. #2 – You understand that you need to incorporate keywords (when appropriate) into your content. #3 – You understand that you need to write content that will help you rank well with the search engines while engaging your website visitors. Are you taking advantage of these simple opportunities to optimize your WordPress blog?
#1 – The Title of your Blog Post
Incorporating keywords into the title of your post is a good idea. Since I’m writing this article about optimizing your WordPress blog for SEO, I wanted to include as many of those keywords as I could while at the same time trying to create a title that would interest potential visitors. I decided on “4 SEO Tips to Optimize your WordPress Blog”. Search engines “see” this title, and you see this title. It’s also included in the URL of this page. This is a very simple first step to take. (Note: Most search engines use a maximum of 60 characters for the title.)
#2 – Meta Description Tags
Using meta description tags is no longer considered to be as important to SEO as it once was. Google reports that they no longer include meta descriptions in their algorithm. However, these descriptions still appear in the search results. Therefore, they can influence whether or not someone decides to click on your link and visit your site.
WebsiteMagazine.com (one of my favorite resources) recently conducted a study where they analyzed the use of keywords in meta descriptions and the results that were returned in search queries. Basically, their conclusion was that since you’re not penalized for using meta descriptions and it does provide an opportunity to engage potential visitors, why not use them. (You can read the article here: Meta Descriptions on Google and Bing. Keep in mind that Google allows 156 characters in this field and Bing allows 150 characters. )
#3 – Formatting Text as Headings
Search engines give more weight to text that is identified as being a “heading”. The difference being that headings are identified with tags such as <H1></H1>. (The text between these two tags would be the highest priority heading.) In this post, I formatted each of the numbered headings with the <H2> heading tags. (The H1 tag is reserved for your post title in most WordPress themes.)
When you create a new post in WordPress the default is to open in the“visual” view (as opposed to the “HTML” view.) It is possible to change to the HTML view and enter your heading tags but the easiest thing to do is use a WYSIWYG editor.
If your WordPress themes doesn’t include a WYSIWYG editor, you can download a plug-in like TinyMCE Advanced. Using an editor will make inserting header tags (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 or H6) a breeze. The image below shows a drop-down with the word “Paragraph” (using the TinyMCE editor). You would select your text and then choose the heading tag that you want to use (under the paragraph drop-down).
In addition to signifying the importance of your text to the search engines, using headings also makes your posts visually more appealing. Be sure to use headings that incorporate your keywords.
#4 – Optimize your Images
Search engines don’t “see” images. That’s why it’s so important to use the file name, title, alternate text and description fields to help optimize your site for the search engines (SEO). Enter carefully chosen keywords that describe your post (not necessarily the picture).
As you see in the image above, when I uploaded my graphic for this post, I used keywords where I could. (For a more detailed look at optimizing your images, read “Tips for Optimizing Photos and Graphics for Your Blog”)
This has been a fairly basic look at four quick and easy ways to optimize your blog posts. For those of you are interested in delving deeper into how to optimize your WordPress blog, I recommend reading “The Definitive Guide To Higher Rankings For Your Blog” by Joost de Valk. What are some of your favorite tips for SEO? Do you have a go-to resource that you recommend that we read for more information?
Note added 12/14/11: Thanks to Steve Hippel for reminding me of the All in One SEO Pack. This is an excellent plugin to help optimize your WordPress blog for the search engines. (If you’re using a premium theme such as Thesis or Genesis, you don’t need an additional plugin because SEO is built in.)
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Twitter: SBRTech
May 1, 2012 at 3:46 am
Hello Sherryl, as being an SEO professional I loved your blog post. Each n every tips that you have shared are just amazing and truly applicable for the wordpress blogs. I want to add here something – You can use All in One SEO pack plugin for making the necessary updates in SEO. Anyways thanks for sharing and love to see more from you.
Twitter: keepupweb
May 1, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Using a plugin for SEO is a great suggestion. Another plugin to consider is “WordPress SEO by Yoast”. That comes highly recommended also. (Some WordPress themes include SEO optimization making an SEO plugin unnecessary.)
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Top 8 White Hat SEO Tips for E-Commerce Websites
Twitter: itechcode
April 30, 2012 at 7:32 am
For me #1 and #4 Plays a vital role to optimize wordpress blog for SEO.
Thanks Sherryl for this tips.
Amit Shaw recently posted..Best iPhone Apps For Keeping Your Documents and Business in Cloud
Twitter: keepupweb
April 30, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Both of those tips are very important Amit and bloggers who are just learning the ropes of SEO should definitely start there. When I started implementing “#3 – Formatting Text as Headings”, I noticed a significant increase in my search traffic. Although I can’t measure it, I believe that breaking up my content with headings (and increasing the white space) has helped people stay on my blog longer. I tend to write rather lengthy posts and the headings help to break it up and focus my thoughts.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Top 8 White Hat SEO Tips for E-Commerce Websites
Twitter: intlQuest
April 30, 2012 at 5:14 am
I have read from another blog that Google will no longer consider meta tags or other sort on your blogs. This happens on their latest update, so it will be better if you just focus on white hat SEO and content because all other SEO tricks will be blocked and the site or blog will be penalized.
Twitter: keepupweb
April 30, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Hi John,
That’s true but as long as the search engines continue to display meta descriptions in the search results, I believe it makes sense to use them. It could mean the difference between someone clicking on your link as opposed to clicking on one of the other results. The other thing is, who knows if Google will change their algorithms some day to include meta information. Since it doesn’t take that much time to enter the data while you’re editing your post, why not include it?
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Top 8 White Hat SEO Tips for E-Commerce Websites
I have just come across you website while looking for dofollow blogs and found your blog on youdofollow.com. Your post is superb and helpful for visitors. I read your other articles too. So , I just bookmarked your website and add it to my favorites.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Twitter: keepupweb
April 12, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Thanks so much for letting us know how you found my site. I get a surprising number of visitors from YouDoFollow.com. It’s a good resource for anyone who has a do-follow blog. You just submit your site once and forget about it.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Are Your Website Visitors Sticking Around Or Bailing Out?
Hi Sherryl,
On page optimization is important for anyone looking to capitalize from search engine traffic. You have provided some great tips!
It is also recommended to provide the keyphrase that you are aiming to rank for in the first and last paragraphs of your post!
Thanks
James
Twitter: keepupweb
April 11, 2012 at 11:25 am
Thanks for the reminder James. I always forget to add that it’s recommended to include your keyword phrases in the first paragraph. I’m not sure I had heard that you should include them in the last paragraph too? Does that help with the search engines or is it a tip for reinforcing your keywords with your readers?
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Are Your Website Visitors Sticking Around Or Bailing Out?
Everyone should use the third and fourth tips, adding Heading tags helps to get good SERP on particular keyword.
PS: YOAST plugin is better than all in one seo, because YOAST is multi functional that includes XML sitemap, robot works, index controller and more with SEO tool.
Twitter: keepupweb
April 11, 2012 at 11:23 am
Hi Ponvendhan,
Thanks for the endorsement of Yoast’s plugin. It’s good to hear from people who have experience using it. (Sorry it took me so long to reply to your comment.)
Twitter: PrivateCapNW
April 3, 2012 at 1:05 pm
I think the suggestion of optimizing the images is an often overlooked suggestion, but it really does work. As for plugins, I’ve tried the All in One SEO Pack, but for me personally, I really like Yoast’s SEO plugin. I think it’s easier to use.
Twitter: keepupweb
April 3, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for letting us know that you prefer Yoast’s SEO plugin. From the input that I’ve been receiving (and after reading Yoast’s blog along with a few other posts), I feel comfortably recommending his plugin for SEO. I use Thesis as my theme and that does an excellent job of building SEO into it but for those bloggers who do not use a premium theme (that has SEO optimization included), Yoast’s plugin is an excellent choice. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in on this.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Are Your Website Visitors Sticking Around Or Bailing Out?
Twitter: valadams014
March 28, 2012 at 2:00 am
Hi Sherryl, many webmasters noticed last week regarding an update in the Google algo, I’ve noticed it as well. The things you mentioned above give more weight to the rankings in Google compared last few months. I’ve also checked this issue in webmasterworld. There is also an issue about Meta Description Tags being used again in the algo, it may also be true.
Thanks
Twitter: keepupweb
March 28, 2012 at 11:23 am
Hi Val,
I’ve been reading about the algorithm change but I’m not sure I’ve read anything about them including meta tags again. That would be great. What I have read points to the value of good content and the risk of keyword stuffing. So, it’s especially important to not stuff meta tags. I believe we should look at it as another opportunity to place good content. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on this.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..The Rise of the Cyber Cold War
I agree with what you said about the meta description tags. Though they weren’t as important as before, the tags can still encourage users to visit your page.
Twitter: keepupweb
March 20, 2012 at 10:27 am
Exactly Rai. Besides, Google is changing their algorithm again. It’s always possible that at some point, they could decide to value meta descriptions again. There’s certainly no harm in paying attention to them.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..2 Tips on Using Social Media to Get Found Online
Twitter: Xpressafiliate
March 9, 2012 at 9:07 am
Certainly the above said seo tips are good one but now there are seo plugin’s available for wordpress blogs which makes this work much easier. Internal site linking and placement of value pages like home,about,privacy policy,terms & condition,sitemap and disclaimer also plays important role in over all website authority.
Twitter: keepupweb
March 9, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Good tips. Thanks for adding them. The general consensus in this discussion seems to be that for bloggers who are not using SEO optimized themes that they should install Yoast’s SEO plugin.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..2 Tips on Using Social Media to Get Found Online
Twitter: r0man_de
February 29, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Dont forget to use the Yoast SEO Plugin. Essential plugin where you can create better and easier titles for each post/page.
Twitter: keepupweb
February 29, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Another recommendation for Yoast’s SEO plugin! That’s good to hear. Yoast is certainly an amazing resource when it comes to SEO. Thanks for weighing in on this.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Thanks to SEO a Newspaper Reporter in Pennsylvania Found my Blog
Twitter: blognetworking
February 23, 2012 at 12:44 pm
No problem
Yeah, Yoast really helps to get things done since I am not interested in spending that much time on SEO.
Thanks for the reply!
Twitter: blognetworking
February 20, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Hey Sherryl,
Great tips!
SEO is definitely an important thing that we bloggers need to take care. When I started out blogging, I didn’t really care much about optimizing my blog posts for search engines – I used to focus on writing for my readers and I still do, but at the same time I realize the importance of optimizing my blog posts).
I used to use All-in-SEO (And many other SEO plugins along with it – which was a real bad idea because it slowed down blog). But, I now I am using Yoast SEO (Yoast’s SEO plugin does have all the features that a SEO plugin needs).
Anyways, thanks for the post,
Jeevan Jacob John
Jeevanjacobjohn recently posted..How To Promote Your Product Like Google Did – Google Plus?
Twitter: keepupweb
February 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Thanks for your input Jeevan. I started out the same way as you. I still write for my readers and not the search engines. Thankfully, SEO has become a habit for me. When I first started blogging, I didn’t pay any attention to keywords. I’ve gone back to a few of my earlier posts to optimize them a little.
I have heard so many great thing about Yoast’s SEO plugin. I’m using Thesis, so, SEO is built in but I definitely will use this plugin in the future for any sites that I build for clients who opt to not have their site built using Thesis (or another SEO optimized premium theme).
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Are Buyers or Window Shoppers Clicking on Your Pay-Per-Click Ads?
Twitter: house_edge
February 16, 2012 at 9:31 am
The meta des tag is the best thing someoen new can focus on, since this is what creates the snippet in the search results. When Im writing this meta out I like to include the keyword as I want it to be once and then I do it a second time mixed up. I find these have the best results.
ie “a small brown dog” “a dog, small and brown”
Wilhouse recently posted..Fantasy Baseball – Top 20 Player Ranking of 2012
Twitter: keepupweb
February 16, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I’ve never tried that. Since we’re limited to 150 characters, I try to incorporate a few different keywords if possible. Since the description is picked up so many places, I concentrate on making it entice the reader to want to learn more.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..What Impact does Social Media Have on Businesses?
Twitter: prankstertania
February 14, 2012 at 7:10 am
i have a blog on wordpress… but until recently i was not aware of seo. now i am reading up on it… but honestly most of the articles go beyond my understanding. i liked ur post. an easy read… u explained a lot. nice thanks. and yes nice screenshot from the blog post itself!
Twitter: keepupweb
February 14, 2012 at 11:41 am
Tania, I’m glad that you found my article easy to read. Thanks for letting me know.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..What is Your Twitter Strategy for Following Someone?
really good tips, especially the heading one. didn’t knew about that
Swapnil recently posted..Driving Tricks To Double Your Mileage
Twitter: keepupweb
February 9, 2012 at 1:25 pm
I’m glad you liked my tips. I did not use headings when I first started blogging. They make a big difference and it’s so easy to do. Good luck using them!
Sherryl Perry recently posted..Thanks to SEO a Newspaper Reporter in Pennsylvania Found my Blog
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