At Loop Flow Creative, we ensure to hand over the tools and instructions needed to maintain your SEO Optimized WordPress site. Below is a step-by-step guide to create an SEO Optimized blog post on WordPress. All you do is go to your WordPress dashboard and create a new blog post. For detailed a step-by-step instructions on how to create your first blog post in WordPress, check out this video. Fast forward to 3:20 in the video.
Keyword Research:
Begin your SEO journey by conducting thorough keyword research. For this example, let’s say that you are a food blogger trying to get a recipe for carrot soup to rank on google. For your carrot soup recipe, it’s essential to target the right keywords to maximize visibility. Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify a mix of popular and less competitive keywords. Examples of suitable keywords might include “carrot soup recipe,” “homemade carrot soup,” “easy carrot soup,” and more. Understanding search volume (how many searches for each keyword phrase are happening every day) and competition will help you choose the most effective keywords for your content.
High-Quality Content:
Create a blog post that goes beyond just presenting the recipe. Craft a comprehensive piece of content that not only provides the steps to make carrot soup but also includes additional information that adds value to your readers. This could involve discussing variations of the recipe, offering creative serving suggestions, and providing nutritional facts. Including high-resolution images of the dish is crucial for engaging your audience and making the content visually appealing.
SEO-Friendly URL:
Optimize your URL for search engines. Ensure that your URL slug includes the primary keyword. For example, structure it as “yourwebsite.com/carrot-soup-recipe.” This not only makes the URL more user-friendly but also helps search engines understand the content of your page.
Title Tag:
Your title is the first thing users see in search results, so it needs to be captivating and keyword-rich. For your carrot soup recipe, consider a title like “Delicious Homemade Carrot Soup Recipe.” This title not only informs the reader about the content but also includes the primary keyword, improving its search engine visibility.
Headings (H2, H3, etc.):
To organize your content effectively, use headings and subheadings. Employ H2 and H3 tags to create a logical structure for your post. For example, you can use “Ingredients,” “Instructions,” and “Tips for Serving” as headings. This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the hierarchy of information on your page.
Meta Description:
Craft a concise and compelling meta description that summarizes what your carrot soup recipe is all about. Include your primary keyword to make it clear to both users and search engines. For example, a meta description like “Discover the best homemade carrot soup recipe. A comforting and healthy dish ready in minutes” provides a succinct preview of your content.
Internal and External Links:
Enhance the user experience and SEO by strategically including both internal and external links. Internal links direct users to related content on your website, keeping them engaged and exploring more of your recipes. External links to reputable sources for ingredients or cooking techniques establish your content’s credibility. These links contribute to a well-rounded and informative post.
Image Optimization:
Images are a crucial part of your food blog. Optimize your images by adding keyword-rich alt tags. For instance, an alt tag like “Carrot-Soup-Recipe” is an excellent choice for an image featuring your delicious carrot soup. Additionally, use descriptive image filenames that reflect the content.
Schema Markup:
Boost your recipe’s visibility in search results by implementing schema markup, particularly structured data for recipes. Schema markup provides search engines with detailed information about your content, making it more likely to appear in rich snippets, which can improve click-through rates.
Readability:
Ensure your content is reader-friendly. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to break up content and make it easy to skim. Maintain a friendly and engaging tone to keep your audience captivated.
Mobile Responsiveness:
With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential to confirm that your WordPress theme is mobile-responsive. This ensures that your carrot soup recipe looks and functions well on various devices, improving the user experience.
Page Loading Speed:
Page loading speed significantly impacts SEO. Enhance your website’s speed by optimizing images, utilizing caching plugins, and choosing a fast hosting service. A faster website ensures a smoother user experience and can positively affect your search engine rankings.
Publish and Share:
After publishing your blog post, don’t forget to promote it. Share it on your social media platforms, recipe-sharing websites, and food-related forums to increase its visibility. Encourage your audience to share the recipe with others and leave comments, which can further boost engagement.
Monitor and Update:
Regularly monitor the performance of your blog post using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Keep an eye on metrics like traffic, click-through rates, and rankings. Update and refresh the content as needed to ensure it remains relevant and continues to attract organic traffic.