Attention to these SEO copywriting details can boost your site’s “findability” and popularity
So, you’ve written a terrific blog post that’s chock-full of your targeted keyword phrases. It simply exudes SEO magnetism — or so you think — and you want to upload it immediately and start to measure the response.
Here’s a suggestion: Wait. Have another look. Check it once more, this time to determine if you can improve the SEO linking opportunities. Then make a few tweaks.
The two major factors that affect search engine optimization are content and links. Writing great content is not enough. To be an effective SEO copywriter, you must be committed to both content and links. (You don’t want to leave these details to the I.T. folks; SEO is your responsibility.)
Of course, incoming links to your website carry more weight with Google, but attention to internal and outgoing links is also important.
Here are five frequently overlooked link-writing strategies that can result in higher Google search rankings.
1. Write optimized internal links by including your targeted keyword phrases.
“Click here” is not effective link copy.
“Claim your copy of the free Mequoda SEO Copywriting Handbook: Essential Information on SEO Copywriting that Will Lead to Stronger SEO Campaigns and Higher Page Rankings in Google” is an effective, keyword-rich hypertext link.
2. Write links using complete keyword phrases, not single keywords.
The phrase “Discover these copywriting secrets for improving search engine visibility and driving website traffic” uses three of Mequoda’s targeted keyword phrases — copywriting secrets, improving search engine visibility, and driving website traffic.
[text_ad]
3. Write targeted keyword phrases for image ALT attributes.
Search engine spiders don’t read pictures, they only read words. When you write a cutline or caption for a photo or illustration, help out your colleagues in the I.T. department by writing the image ALT attributes using the same keyword-rich phrases.
4. Write the word “picture” or “image” in your photo ALT descriptions and captions.
Many users routinely include one of these words when conducting a Google inquiry. Don’t miss an opportunity to lead users to your site via Google Images.
5. Write keyword-rich text to surround both static images and video content.
Again, Google bots can’t read images or video on your web pages and must rely on the surrounding editorial content to ascertain the suitability of your images and video for the user’s query.
Context counts.
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Peter A. Schaible is Mequoda’s Chief Copywriter. For more of his unique perspective on copywriting, you can subscribe to his complimentary series on Targeting Your Prospective Customer by Type: How to Position Your Brand to Trigger an Emotional Response, available at www.SunDanceNewMedia.com. No obligation. No upsell.
At the 2010 Mequoda Summit Boston, Peter will be conducting an SEO copywriting workshop that offers you a step-by-step formula for copywriting that is found and highly ranked on Google.
