SEO for new bloggers: 6 steps
- Determine the central theme of your blog
- Think of some topics for blog articles
- Learn what (focus) search terms are
- Judge your blog wisely
- Provide informative, easy-to-read texts
- Blog regularly
1. Determine the central theme of your blog
Especially novice bloggers like to blog about anything and everything. But purely from an SEO point of view, that's not so smart.
When you started your blog, I asked you to think carefully about an overarching theme for your blog, your so-called blog niche. The reason for this is simple: it is much easier to get a good position in Google through a blog that "specializes" in a specific theme. That can be anything: cars, lizards, thimbles, toy trains,… Just think of something.
Importantly, many blog posts all revolve around your central theme (and anything related to it). Google will eventually consider your blog as a reference when it comes to your overarching blog theme. With all the consequences that this entails for your position in Google.
This does not necessarily mean that you can only write pieces that have to do with your niche, but the focus, the main part of your blog must be reserved for your main theme.
2. Think of some topics for blog articles
Preferably topics that are more or less related to your central theme that you have chosen. And try to come up with an attractive title for each of your future articles in one effort . That title should at least make your future reader curious, get him to click on your message!
3. Learn what (focus) search terms are
Which words (or combination of words) should an average internet user type into Google to arrive at your blog post? That's your focus keyword ! Basically, every blog post and fixed page on your blog has its own unique focus keyword.
It is that focus keyword that you enter in the appropriate box in the Yoast SEO plugin . Afterwards you let the focus keyword return regularly throughout your article. But in the end make sure you have a natural, easy-to-read text! Mordicus cram your central search term into your message – because otherwise the Yoast SEO plugin will not show green dots – makes no sense. By the way, you can also do SEO WITHOUT a plugin !
4. Divide your blog judiciously
It is important that your readers (but also Google) can easily find similar articles on your blog. You do this, among other things, by using categories and tags within WordPress .
And it is also important – in the slightly longer term – to ensure that visitors and readers can easily continue to find your best older posts. It is quite typical that especially the most recently published articles are read the most. Not because it's your best work, but simply because those messages are just up for grabs for your (accidental) readers.
You may be wondering what all this has to do with SEO (for beginner bloggers). Simple: Google – like other internet search engines – also needs clear signals from users to determine whether your blog is worth it. And your blog deserves a place at the top of the search results.
The average time a visitor/reader spends on your site is such an important indicator. Especially if he also clicks on multiple messages and pages!
Long story short: Think about ways to make it easier for visitors and readers to dive deeper into your blog archive .
5. Provide informative, easy-to-read texts
Still, I would warn you not to get too carried away with the SEO guidelines. So don't hesitate to ignore the advice of SEO plugins and the like. All measures regarding search engine optimization are a disaster if you fail to tell a fascinating story. As a blogger you want to make something that people are waiting for. Above all, they want to be entertained, comforted or educated.
6. Blog regularly
Then the recurring question: “ How often should I blog (to be successful)?” There is no one-size-fits-all answer. One thing is certain: Google loves websites that are constantly updated and supplemented. But much, if not everything, will depend on how often you can write articles with sufficient quality in them (see previous point).
And since it's important to Google that your blog isn't a one-hit wonder, it's also important that you regularly blog about your site's main topics. Therefore, choose (related) topics that are close to your heart.