SEO, or search engine optimization, is crucial for obtaining and maintaining a successful online presence. Unfortunately, many unfamiliar with the concept believe it is a one-time task, but SEO is an ongoing journey.
This is mainly because search engine algorithms continuously evolve to provide users with the most relevant and highest-quality results. While there is endless speculation on precisely what these algorithms are searching for, one key area of focus is blogging.
So you may wonder, do blogs still help with SEO in 2023, or is this an outdated concept? We’ll answer that question.
What is blog SEO?
For starters, it is essential to understand precisely what blog SEO is. Although it may sound like a technical process, it is relatively simple. A website simply creates a blog and optimizes it based on keyword research. This research will unveil matters like the best keywords to target and the optimal length of a blog post. From there, the writer will aim to meet these guidelines while writing high-quality, engaging, and helpful content.
It also presents the opportunity to incorporate optimized page titles, meta descriptions, and images and assists with link building. These aspects are crucial to SEO, and website content provides limited opportunities. On the other hand, blog posts are suitable for daily, weekly, or monthly posting, which keeps content fresh, relevant, and engaging to readers.
How does blogging help with SEO, and why is it important? While the most significant benefit is a vast increase in organic search traffic, there are many other reasons to incorporate blogging into your strategy in 2023.
Understanding how blogs help with SEO in 2023
Creates fresh, relevant content
The content and keywords used when optimizing website content are intended to be evergreen. Once content is fully SEO-friendly, it can remain in place for months or even years without needing more than a few tweaks here and there. However, a blog allows you to create fresh, relevant content regularly. Here, you can address anything pertinent to your industry.
For example, a home renovation company can create a post discussing the hottest trends of the summer season. This wouldn’t make much sense as web page content, but it is an excellent way to engage new and existing customers in the summer. Likewise, the frequent updates provided by posting blogs lead to increased indexing and more user visits, showing that search engines visit your website more frequently, making it preferable to those stagnant.
Provides opportunities for backlinking
Backlinking is a massive component of successful SEO, and blogging SEO extends beyond what meets the eye. Essentially, it is the process of creating relationships with other websites. The more you link to reputable sources, the more the search engine deems your website authoritative and relevant. Blog content writers add these links strategically to cite factual information, making your blog post credible.
Additionally, it increases the chances of other websites linking to your website. This provides an immense boost in credibility with search engines, but other websites aren’t likely to link to outdated websites or ones that do not create credible, factual content.
Allows for keyword usage
When you optimize the static content on your website according to the best white hat SEO practices, a lot of work goes into choosing the right keywords. These keywords are words or short phrases that search engine users will most likely enter into the search bar. For example, a user who wants to purchase a new couch is more likely to search using the words “brown sectional sofa” than “new furniture.”
Because keyword research and proper usage are a massive part of SEO, any opportunity to strategically add more keywords impacts Search Engine Results Page (SERP) rankings. When you post regular blog content, you will incorporate these keywords in every post. Even if you only post monthly, using these keywords can dramatically increase organic traffic to your website.
Adds internal linking opportunities
If you’re still questioning, “How does blogging help SEO?” it is essential to note that it also provides internal linking opportunities. It is challenging to provide internal links without a blog in place. This is because there are limited areas where you can reasonably link to other areas of your website without creating confusion for visitors. With a blog, you can easily add internal links to improve website navigation, promote other content, and establish a better hierarchy.
For example, a furniture store may create a blog about the most comfortable sectionals at the beginning of the year. Over time, this post will become buried by other newer posts and may become stagnant. The most comfortable sectionals blog post can be used as an internal link in a new post about ways to redecorate small spaces.
This helps search engines get a better idea of the structure of your website and identify the most important pages. When easily identified, they can be ranked more efficiently and accurately on the SERP.
Improves visibility
Blog posts are informative and engaging, especially those containing images or other visual aids; they also are highly shareable on social media platforms. As current customers share these blog posts, you gain new readers and potential customers. Through blogging, SEO efforts improve visibility with little effort.
For instance, an existing customer may read a blog about decorating tips. They may have a friend actively redecorating their home and decide to share the post with the friend. This friend may have never heard of your company before this, but after reading the post, they choose to explore the products you offer and perhaps even make a purchase.
Over time, these posts that gain popularity on social media websites can generate an impressive Return on Investment (ROI) and increase brand awareness and overall visibility. The same is true when it comes to visibility through search engines. More people will become aware of your business if your website ranks on the first page of the SERP because of your frequent, relevant posts.
Increases customer engagement
Customers aren’t expected to engage with a company’s website content beyond an initial visit. This is because it does not change often or leave much room for discussion. However, with a blog post, not only does this content help with SEO, it allows businesses to engage their customers and begin honest discussions.
Writers can incorporate questions into the end of a blog post to garner responses, to which the company can respond. This is fantastic for creating customer loyalty, but user engagement aids in improved SERP rankings. Comments show that the content is being read and is worthy of discussion. It improves networking and also presents additional opportunities for link-building.
After delving into how blogging benefits SEO, it is undeniable that the practice will remain relevant in 2023. Like with all SEO strategies, it is essential to remember that results are not always immediate and take time to implement correctly. By starting an SEO-focused blog, you can ensure that your strategy is solid and can be easily adapted to remain relevant in the years to come.
Blogs do help with SEO: Develop a content strategy today
Do you have additional questions on how blogs help with SEO? Or are you interested in developing your website’s blog and content strategy to improve SEO? Our team can help. Contact PA today to discuss your needs.
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