You may include valuable information in your articles, but none can enjoy the ultimate benefit if it fails to reach the target audience. It’ll just be a waste of effort, right?
To avoid such a situation, you must ensure the articles are SEO-optimized and value-rich. Search engines should recognize it as a value that people are looking for. To help you with that, I’ve created this SEO copywriting checklist that shows you the essential things you need for SEO copywriting.
If you’re struggling with your content, these SEO copywriting tips will help you to do it right. Let’s start.
The Ultimate SEO Copywriting Checklist
Keyword Research
Keywords are the keys to ranking your articles in search engine result pages. Your target audience uses these to search for things you’re offering.
You can guess some words and use those multiple times in the article, but that won’t help 99% of the time. Instead, write your main topic in the search bar, and you’ll see a list of suggestions. They are the actual keywords people use to search for what you’re offering.
For example- write ‘Training dogs’ in the search bar, and you’ll see a list of keywords people use to search for ways to train dogs.
The best way is to use a keyword research tool. Tools give you valuable insights like KD, SV, etc. Both free and paid tools are available. You can pick according to your preferences.
Make a list of main keywords and related long-tail keywords.
Structure the Article
It’s important to prepare the main structure of the article with necessary subheadings. Doing this helps you avoid missing something important. Try to include the keyword in at least one subheading.
Include everything related to the topic you’re discussing. Don’t leave anything necessary. Make sure the article provides the value people are looking for.
Design the Title
The title is the most important part because it describes what’s inside the article. Also, people choose to read the article or not based on the title. So, be strategic.
If possible, use numbers in the title. For example- ’10 tips for writing articles that attract people.’ Keep the main keyword in the beginning part of it. For example- I’ve put my keyword ‘SEO copywriting checklist’ at the beginning of the title. Be precise.
Write Readable Article
Stuffing line after line doesn’t make a good article. It needs to have some open space where people can stop to breathe. So, don’t write paragraphs after paragraphs.
Instead, write small paragraphs of 3-4 lines. Add bullet points where necessary. Include multiple subheadings so that readers know what’s inside the article. And, most importantly, create a flow that takes readers to the next part.
Establish Credibility
Readers won’t believe what you say if you’re not an expert. The same thing will happen if you’re an expert but can’t prove it in the article. So, you should establish your credibility on the subject.
It doesn’t mean you should announce this and that. When necessary, discuss your real-life experience. Doing this helps you establish credibility.
Don’t Stuff Keywords
Keywords are important. But that doesn’t mean you should put keywords randomly without concern. It is one of the most common mistakes of writers.
Use keywords rationally. Try to keep it in the first paragraph and last paragraph. Write in a way so that you can add the keyword. But don’t push it too much.
The same goes for long-tail keywords, too. Infuse them where necessary. Don’t push them to be in the article. Place them there.
Add Images
Articles should contain images or videos. It’s not comfortable to keep reading line after line without any break. So, add proper images, infographics, or videos to keep it interesting. Search engines love it, too.
Insert alt text to images and videos to ensure search engines can recognize them. Don’t miss this. If possible, use the keyword in alt text.
Optimize Meta Description
Meta description is not counted as a ranking factor because Google rewrites it.
Still, it is important because it helps search engines know the article’s topic if you include keywords here. So, optimize the meta description with a keyword and a long-tail keyword to make sure search engines know what the article is about.
Optimize URL Slug
Many experts say that URL slug is not a ranking factor, but many others disagree. I’d suggest editing the URL slug and optimizing it with keywords because it looks clean. Besides, it has some value in SEO, too. Don’t neglect it.
Check Technical Issues
Your site’s technical issues also affect the article’s performance. So, make sure it loads fast. Also, maintain a mobile responsive website because most internet users use mobile to browse sites.
Final Verdict
SEO copywriting is interesting when you can rank the content and get the expected result. But for that, you must follow the points my SEO copywriting checklist includes. These SEO copywriting tips are must-follow things when it comes to SEO copywriting.
If you need assistance with this, don’t hesitate to reach us. Our content team can help you with some amazing pieces of content.
