Written by Lindsay Nichols

Last updated June 8, 2024 | Read Time: 9 minutes

*Having a checklist, especially for beginners, is crucial for creating a consistent strategy for SEO blog writing.*

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is your compass to finding new customers.

It’s truly become a one-way ticket to growing your organic website traffic. What’s that mean? Organic traffic is the crème de la crème of content marketing, of course!

It’s all of those curious readers who find your blog through search, rather than paid ads. These visitors are searching and interested in what you have to say, which means:

More engagement
More shares
More website traffic
A loyal following that keeps coming back for more

So, how do you get this digital line outside your website’s door? Enter my simple, beginner-friendly guide to SEO strategy for blogs!

Why it Matters for Business Owners

From clever use of keywords to smart headlines and meta descriptions, a basic SEO game plan can skyrocket your blog’s visibility. And I’m going tell you all of my easy-to-implement tips and tricks that will turn your blog into a traffic magnet (and more sales).

But first, I want to talk about why SEO is a minefield for beginners and assure you of one thing: It takes time to get the hang of SEO. The expectation here is to try one or two things at a time. That alone will put you ahead of the SEO game.

Why Is SEO So Confusing?

If you’ve found yourself caught up in a web of keyword density, meta descriptions, and backlink strategies, you’re not alone. SEO can feel like untangling the computer cords behind your desk…blindfolded.

Here’s why it can be a little vague and convoluted:

First, SEO is a moving target.
Google's algorithm changes more often than any digital marketer likes to recognize. Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, boom—a new update rolls out, and you're hustling to update your strategy to keep up.
Second, there are over 200 factors Google considers when ranking pages.
Yes, 200! From page load speed and mobile-friendliness to user intent and content quality, the list is mind-boggling, even for experts.
Then, there’s the contradictory advice.
One expert says your blog needs to be at least 2,000 words; another swears by short, snappy posts. Some emphasize the importance of backlinks, while some gurus champion the use of long-tail keywords. It's enough to make any beginner’s head spin.

Again, don’t try to perfect every metric starting out. Focus on a few things at a time until you get comfortable, and begin to work in new strategies as you get your footing.

The good news: The confusion is part of the journey.

*Information overload is a real problem when you’re starting out on your SEO education.*

Once you get a grip on the basics and stay updated with best practices, SEO becomes less of a mystery and more of a strategic game.

By the end of this blog, you’ll have the confidence you need to write a powerful, effective and useful SEO blog with content your readers will love (and the Google gods will praise).

Let’s get into the checklist that you’re here for!

✅ Don’t Focus Too Much on Word Count

GASP! This one is going to rock some boats. But Google's stance, as clarified by their Senior Search Analyst wizard, reveals that word count isn’t a direct factor for SEO ranking. While word count may be somewhat of a consideration, quality and relevance take precedence.

Despite these facts, there are still many different and conflicting word count “rules” out there–anywhere, from 500 to 3,000 words.

As a beginner copywriter, this can be incredibly confusing, leading you on a proverbial wild goose chase, resulting in inflexible thinking and thousands of words that don’t add up to much (what we like to call “fluff”) I’m speaking from personal experience here.

This confusion is due in part to the fact that high-ranking blogs are in that ballpark of a thousand words. And it makes sense.

Here’s why: If a blog is well-written and longer, it’s likely to be super helpful for the reader looking for a high-quality, relevant answer.

Here are some examples to illustrate this point:

Let’s say you’re researching the history of advertising and ways to apply some of those proven techniques to modern marketing. A 500-word blog isn’t going to cut it. This topic is far-reaching and would probably require over 1,000 words to answer a user’s query effectively.
On the other hand, you might search for “best Gary Halbert quotes”. 500 words would easily be able to give the reader what they’re looking for.

In both scenarios, the goal of the content is to answer the reader’s questions and help deliver good information. Instead of focusing on a hard word count, aim to create content that offer values and aligns with aligns with the audience’s needs.

✅My #1 Most Ethical SEO Strategy

This brings us to one of the top Google ranking factors in SEO: user intent.

Simply put, your content should be a direct response to your audience’s needs and help them find what they want to know—whether that be to make a transaction, find more information, or make contact with the business.

This is an easy way to make your content appealing and naturally leads to more competitive content at the same time.

You might be thinking, “But, really, Lindsay, how long should my SEO blog be?”

My answer: Really, do some competitor research to see what’s going on in your niche. Take notes on what they’re writing about, the word counts they’re using, and the number of blogs they’re posting every month. Then make your content BETTER, by adding a fresh perspective, bringing new research to the table, or a new take on old story.

Before drafting, start with considering your target audience and the other types of readers that will come across your content.

✅Write for Google First (But Don’t Forget ‘the ‘Reader’ and ‘the Skimmer’)

When you write a blog, you want to charm your target audience—that’s a given! They’re your VIPs. But when it comes to SEO, there are three other types of readers you need to consider:

Google
Wants to see expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (the ‘EAT formula’).
The Skimmer
Likes tactful formatting, such as headings, boldface, and italics. This person might spend around 30 seconds on your blog.
The Reader
Will consume the whole blog because they love to read! For them, you want to make it easy to digest, engaging, and entertaining. This is also your target audience.

An exceptional blog does two things:

(1) engages its target audience

(2) formats, polishes, and organizes the content to cater to these three reader types.

Think about your own web searches—the best articles are those that effortlessly guide you to exactly what you need, right? So remember: make it useful, valuable, and fun to read.

✅Use <H1>, <H2>, and <H3> Headings

These are prime SEO real estate. And, yes, a tad technical. But when you master these, they’re worth it. They help organize your info for search engines and are perfect spots for keywords.

For a more in-depth look at these HTML elements of your website, I highly recommend this guide from SEO Sherpa.

✅Use the Right Keywords in the Right Places

Keywords are the meat and potatoes of SEO. There are two types with different uses and placements: primary keywords and long-tail (or secondary) keywords.

Here are some high-level guidelines for keyword placement:

Focus on one primary keyword and place it in the title, at least one H1, and in the body text. Your keyword should preferably be one of the first words in titles and headings.
Choose three to five long-tail keywords. Try to pick long-tail keywords that also use your primary keyword. This strategy ensures that every time you use a long-tail keyword, you're also using your primary keyword.
Keywords should be distributed evenly within the text, appearing in the first 100 words and the last 100 words of the article, at least.

*Pro tip: Keyword stuffing is a major faux pas. Google frowns upon it, and it can hurt your rankings more than help. So, sprinkle those keywords thoughtfully, and keep your words flowing naturally, and make them easy to read.

✅Make Use of SEO Meta Descriptions

Crafting a meta description is an often overlooked aspect of SEO, but it ‘s crucial in convincing users to click on your page from search results. Use it wisely to increase the chances of converting searches into clicks.

Here are my essential tips:

Google's guidelines suggest around 150-160 characters for desktop and 120 characters for mobile. Use tools for a preview in pixels to finesse your description's length.
Include your keywords in a natural, conversational way.
Be specific and invite curiosity.
Avoid generic phrases.
Integrate soft calls-to-action that invite engagement without pressure.
Tell the reader exactly how you’re meeting their needs, rather than boasting about your own merits.

*Pro tip: Save writing the meta description for last. This will help you craft a concise, engaging, and exciting summary that lets readers know exactly what they’re about to get and how it's going to help them.

Writing titles and headlines are a key skill for good copywriters and an important piece of SEO strategy.

✅Have a Good (and I Mean Really Good) Headline

As the late, great copywriter Eugene Schwartz once said, “Your headline has only one job—to stop your prospect and compel them to read the second sentence of your ad.”

That means your headline might be the only thing your reader sees, so it has to be outstanding.

Make it attention-grabbing, unique, and specific.
Edit your title tag to be 40-60 characters. This ensures Google doesn’t truncate the title in search results. This is a loose guideline, but will help you get to the point with your titles.
Check your title in Coschedule for free. (A score of 70 or higher is great!)

I’m not going to lie. Writing good headlines takes time and a lot of brainstorming. Some of my headline brainstorms have resulted in dozens of options. It’s part of the fun of copywriting.

✅Don’t Forget a Clear CTA

What do you want your readers to do when they get done reading your blog? Tell them! Maybe they should sign up for your newsletter, download a guide, or just click through to another article.

*Pro tip: Keep it short and sweet, make it bold, and give them a reason to click. An easy-to-understand CTA is like the cherry on top of your SEO sundae.

✅Use Relevant, Reliable Sources

The internet is a big place, and not everything you read is true (shocker, right?). That's why using trusted sources gives you extra “street cred” with Google.

Backlink to relevant, reliable sources.
Use internal and external links.
If using citations, they shouldn’t be distracting.
Include keywords in your hyperlinked text.

*Pro tip: While some may fear linking out from their blog will lead readers away from their site, it actually enhances your trustworthiness and demonstrates you've done your research on the topic.

✅Optimize Your Design and Add Engaging Visual Content

Maintaining a good style ensures your content blends seamlessly with existing pages. The goal of design is always to create an engaging, approachable atmosphere—and that applies to your blog, too.

Design your blog for readability. That means choosing fonts, colors, and backgrounds that enhance the text rather than muck it up.
Break your text up into smaller paragraphs.
TEST ON MOBILE! I cannot emphasize this one enough. Most readers are going to be coming from a mobile device these days. If your blog isn’t loading correctly on mobile, watch your engagement rates plummet.
Use visuals. Good pictures will make your blog more interesting. Stock images work great if they’re high-quality, unique, and have a certain look and feel that matches the brand.
Remember to use the alt-text and captions for your images. This is another great place to include keywords.
Ensure there’s enough white space around your text. I like to call this “letting the copy breathe.”

Things to Remember

And that’s it for the Beginner’s SEO Checklist! Use this as your road map to SEO success–without getting lost in the word count woods.

It’s not all about keyword stuffing or meta tags but about filling a need: your reader's needs. So, keep it high-quality, keep it super relevant, and keep those keyboards clicking.

Happy writing, and here's to your success! You've got this.

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The Beginner Copywriter’s SEO Blog Checklist