If you have started a blog but aren’t getting the traction you want, this is for you.
There’s a bunch of things that might be going wrong, but there are some simple things to check first.
1. Are you posting regularly?
Google ranking is a long-term game, it takes dedication over months to start seeing SEO wins. You want to be posting on a regular basis- aim for once a week if you’re a small business, more often if you’re larger. If you have a bunch to publish, roll them out over consecutive days, not all at once.
2. Update your existing blogs
Repurposing and recycling are important for blogs, not just for the environment. Go back over old blogs are update them so they’re topical. Update prices, media mentions, anything that’s relevant. Google loves this, and so do your customers.
3. Don’t copy other people
If your content is ripping off other people’s content, Google can tell. And it doesn’t like it. You’ll be dropping in the rankings.
As well as that, the original author could take legal action against you.
Make sure you run all your blogs through www.copyscape.com to make sure you’re not accidentally very similar to something else online. If you are ‘copying’, then it’s often just a matter of changing a few words to get yours original.
4. Use keywords in titles
OK this is a whole SEO content blog in itself, but make sure you have keywords in your titles. Rather than titles and subheadings that say things like ‘how do I do this’, use keywords. So it might say ‘how do I make a raised garden bed’ or ‘how do I write cool blogs’.
5. Link within your blog
In your blogs, aim to have two internal links, and two external links to trusted, relevant sites. For instance, in this article I have a link to Copyscape and some Google ranking info, and two internals to other blogs I’ve written. It basically gives Google more pathways to follow, which it likes.
6. Tell people about your new blog
Unless you tell people it’s there, no-one knows you’ve posted a blog. If a tree falls in a forest and no-one hears it, did it even fall?
Share on your social networks: Depending on your market, it could be best on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Also make sure you’re posting at the right time. For Facebook it’s thought best to post between 12pm and 3pm on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
There you have it. Six short and sweet ways to get better bang for your blogging buck- no extra time or spend required.
If you need a hand or have questions, feel free to reach out to us. We have the knowledge and would love to help you get your SEO and sales goals.