Blogs are a great way to provide additional updated content to your website without modifying your entire site. Writing a good blog post requires more than just a catchy title - it requires engaging content that resonates with readers.
Blog content is an effective tactic to bring people searching on the web for the services and products your business offers to your website. To be effective, the content in your blog posts needs to be clear, concise, and aligned with the content that’s currently on your website and to your customers’ needs. You shouldn’t be writing posts about music on a dental blog for example. And, at the end of this sentence, we'll have already passed the 100-word mark!
How long should a blog post be?
It depends. With Google's recent Helpful Content update you should always write with your readers in mind and ultimately, provide content to help or inform people about the topics they care about, regardless of the word count
Although the average human attention span is a mere 8.25 seconds, the Nielsen Norman Group demonstrates long vs. short article value and how to calculate your content strategy costs and benefits. Typically, the length of content is dependent on your goals, your audience, and your content strategy. If you have goals of providing content that draws in readers, or if you're trying to get them to act on your call-to-action such as clicking through and completing a form, shorter copy that's easily scanned may be the better way to go. If your goal is to solve a problem for your readers, writing a longer, more detailed blog post will be a better approach. Again, the quality of your content will be the overriding factor.
Regardless of word count, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your content and website are optimized for search. Content that’s well-researched and thoughtfully written will help your site rank higher on Google. This means that more people will be able to find your site and potentially become customers.
Writing blog content for Google and other search engines
Generating quality content for blog posts is crucial for improving your website's search engine optimization (SEO) and attracting more organic traffic. Your goal is to create high-quality content that engages your audience and boosts your website's visibility in search results. You also want to produce content that will encourage people to share your posts and provide backlinks to your website. Whether you provide short or long form blog content, the overall idea is to encourage people to stay on your website for a longer period of time to reduce bounce rates.
Both of these factors affect your SEO rankings with search engines. Having high-quality, relevant content will always be your first priority, however, these other elements are also crucial. Google has an ever-changing algorithm that helps determine website rankings. Websites that rank well on Google typically have longer, more focused articles that answer the questions people are searching for. They avoid unrelated keywords, overuse of keywords, and are topic focused.
Quality content vs. word count
Instead of worrying about word count, focus on the topics your target audience wants to learn more about. Not only will this help your website rankings, but it will also build strong relationships with your readers as you answer their questions and provide useful information.
Generating quality content for blog posts is a crucial aspect of SEO that can help boost your website's online visibility and drive more traffic to your site. If you’re looking to start a blog for your website or refresh your content strategy, here are five tips you can use to create engaging, informative, and SEO-friendly blog content that can help you stand out in a crowded digital landscape:
- Identify your target audience: Understanding your target audience is key to creating quality content that resonates with them. Know their interests, pain points, and what they're searching for online. This information will help you create content that is relevant, valuable, and appealing to them.
- Use keywords strategically: Keywords are the foundation of SEO. By including relevant keywords in your blog posts, you make it easier for search engines to understand what your content is about. But don't overdo it! Use keywords in a natural, organic way to avoid penalization for keyword stuffing.
- Make your content visually appealing: People are more likely to engage with and share content that is visually appealing. Use images, videos, and other media to break up text and make your blog posts more engaging.
- Keep your blog posts updated: Fresh, up-to-date content is favored by search engines, so make sure to keep your blog posts updated with the latest information. This not only helps improve your search engine rankings, but also shows your readers that you're a thought leader in your industry.
- Engage with your readers: Encouraging your readers to leave comments and participate in discussions on your blog can help build a loyal following and increase your website's visibility. Respond to comments, share your readers' content, and engage with them on social media to keep them coming back for more.
In conclusion, generating quality content is essential for SEO success. By following these tips, you can create blog posts that are both engaging and search engine-friendly, helping you reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your site - no matter the final word count.
