The six rules of SEO

Rule #1: Choose quality over quantity

 

In the online world, we often forget the old adage of ‘less is more’, as ‘more’ is exactly what we are in search of: more hits, more shares, more links. We therefore assume that the more keyword dense (and page dense) our site, the better its search engine visibility. However, this is not always the case. Google’s Panda update advised website owners to remove duplicate, similar or irrelevant content. It is far more effective is to limit less important content to fewer pages, and even go so far as to delete poor quality content from the site altogether. 

 

Rule #2 - Vary your language

 

The idea of repeatedly using the exact same keyword over and over again is both unnatural and outdated. Our everyday language is varied, so why should our pages be any different? Try using different varieties of the word in mind. Not only will the language appear more natural, you’ll avoid being accused of keyword stuffing, or having the kind of over-optimised page that doesn’t work for Google. 

 

Rule #3 - Captivate, don’t calculate

 

There is no single trick to completing SEO-friendly content. Any formulaic approach, such as attempting to calculate the optimal level of keyword density, will only lead to laboured, unnatural copy that impresses no one. Think more about your content; make sure it is high quality and interesting. 

 

Rule #4 - Do not underestimate the impact of a clever headline

 

A clever headline which captures the audience’s attention will lead to more clicks, more shares and more traffic than a dull, generic headline will, no matter how good the SEO. 

 

However there is a fine line between clever and too clever. Headlines need to contain at least one keyword while being captivating, don’t make them too cryptic or vague. Check out Copyblogger for some ideas. 

 

Rule # 5 - Don’t focus on the word count

 

Remember that you only need to write as much as necessary and that more is not always better. Once again, it is all about striking the correct balance - your post should be long enough to fully inform and engage the reader, but not so long that it becomes boring. Both long and short posts have their own advantages - longer, more detailed blog posts tend to rack up more links and social shares over time, but shorter blog posts can engage readers quickly and allow them to skim-read. Remember, whatever the length of your post, quality is your foremost priority. 

 

Rule #6 - Don’t scrimp on writer’s fees

 

 As with many of the rules above, always choose quality over quantity. Don’t pad out your site with cheap content. Invest in good quality articles which will be read and shared by visitors.