The 5 Basic Steps Of SEO For Your Blog – Part 1
Posted by Mert Erkal on Dec 3, 2008 in Search Engine Optimization | 15 comments
skyrocket your traffic
If there is one thing common in top bloggers is that their blogs are well ranked for some specific keywords in main search engines Google and Yahoo. It does not make sense at all to compete with them at those keywords. However, you can still apply some basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to skyrocket incoming traffic to your blog. Here are the 5 easy and applicable basic steps of SEO for your blog:
Permalink Structure:
This is one of the most important factors on SEO for blogs. I have recently updated my WP blog’s permalink structure as below, and organic traffic growth was remarkable:
- Login to your WordPress, and click on “Settings”
- Click on “Permalinks”
- Select “Custom Structure” and insert this “/%category%/%postname%.html”
- Now go to “Sitemap XML”, and click on “rebuild the sitemap”
- This will update the search engine robots about your permalink structure change
- If you are using Google Webmaster Tools, you need to update that one too with your new permalink structure
Tagging:
I notice that not enough importance was given to tagging by many bloggers when writing a blog post. Believe it or not tagging is very crucial for increasing your search engine traffic. Always think about the tags first before writing a blog post. Start with asking this simple question to yourself “If I were looking for this post in Google or Yahoo, which keywords I would be choosing”. Answer those question, and then put those keywords into your blog post. Do not forget to add those keywords as your blog post tags too. You won’t believe your eyes, how this small tip will bring so much traffic to your blog.
However, if you use tags which do not appear on your blog post, this has no value at all. You can not cheat these smart search engine robots. Also you should be careful not to exceed 5 tags per post. Ideally you should put 3 tags per post. Your tags should be two-three words long search terms.
Lets give an example from this post. Possible tags are “seo for blogs”, “search engine optimization”, “permalink structure”. If you read my blog post, you will notice that these search terms exist on my post. This is what SEO people call “bull’s eye”.
My SEO posts will continue with some easy to use SEO techniques and useful information. Stay tuned, and do not forget to subscribe to Search For Blogging RSS feeds or mail list(sign up form on the top and sidebar) to be notified about the next part.
The major problem is that Google keeps refining its search algo. Whatever works today may not be effective tomorrow.
Nice tips! I just changed the permalink structure on one of my blogs but where is the “sitemap XML’?
Mert
This is definitely helpful… bloggers can easily get lost in the haze of the blogosphere and forget about applying simple tips you mentioned above, among others.
@ Vijay
That being said, that’s why I don’t believe in entirely writing for search engines but for people. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with writing for seo but don’t lose sight of people in the process.
Well, most of you sound as if an Idea or great thought makes you forget about the purpose of why you become a Blogger or Developer i the first place..
The article only states some really GREAT tips and trust Me if you look at your SERPS or any stats of your website you’ll come to realize this one..
I have myself found this simple trick but never exposed it as My good friend did here.. but all is good..
YES, SOCIAL MEDIA SITES & YOURS have the potential to rank in SERPS for simply the TAGS.. SO USE THEM..
Don’t be like a PROFESSIONAL SEO which I met that says code validation is NOT important for ranking or for anything to do with Optimization.. well if you are a PROFESSIONAL YOU’ll learn to use all means to get the JOBS done!!
STRAIGHTALK
Norman Flecha
@ Norman: Thanks for sharing your ideas.
@Miguel : I am glad that you found the post helpful. Don’t forget to read Part 2 I have just released
@ Tom: I guess you did not install Google Sitemap XML plugin before. I suggest you to install that plugin too. Worth using for SEO.
Tags do work really well for SEO. I have been surprised. Great post Mert.
Thankfully, I have the All in one SEO plugin that takes care of all this! Thanks to the plugin developers!
I have a question. Is it enough to change the sitemap structure or should the htaccess file be changed too?
Happy New Year Mert, thanks for this excellent information!
I do have one quick question for you though. You set your custom permalink above to end with .html.
Why .html and not in the .php format that so many blog post end in?
Thanks in advance for your response!
What about tip on one’s own website? Just keywords?
Unfortunately Mert, i wouldn’t say same thing about tagging. I wouldn’t recommend using tags at all and if you are using tags you should definetely lock it so googlebot won’t index it. Otherwise you’ll heavily suffer from duplicate content. So either never use tags or put disallow tags order.
Thanks for this useful post…
You are always welcome!
My website is all about facebook application development. And i am also working on my website blog and make it search engine friendly. I think you can only getting popular by make your website URL friendly. Useful post. THanks