Marketing is essential for any business that wants to grow and succeed in the competitive online world. However, marketing is not just about creating and distributing content. It is also about ensuring that the content reaches the right audience and ranks well on search engines.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the quality and quantity of website traffic from organic search results. SEO involves various factors, such as keywords, content, links, technical aspects, and user experience. By optimizing these factors, businesses can increase their online visibility, authority, and relevance, and attract more potential customers.
In this article, we will explore some of the most effective marketing strategies that are SEO-friendly. These strategies can help businesses create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their target audience while also satisfying search engine algorithms. We will also discuss some of the important aspects of SEO, such as the optimal word count, keyword density, and relevant keywords to target.
- Optimal Word Count
One of the common questions that marketers have is how long their content should be. There is no definitive answer to this question, as different types of content may require different lengths. However, some general guidelines can help marketers determine the optimal word count for their content.
According to a study by Backlinko, the average word count of a Google first page result is 1,447 words. This suggests that longer content tends to rank better than shorter content, as it can provide more information, value, and depth to the readers. However, this does not mean that marketers should write unnecessarily long content that is filled with fluff and irrelevant details. The quality of the content is more important than the quantity.
The optimal word count for a content piece depends on several factors, such as the topic, the audience, the purpose, the format, and the competition. Marketers should conduct keyword research and competitor analysis to find out what kind of content is ranking well for their target keywords and what kind of content their audience is looking for. They should also consider the intent and the goal of their content, whether it is to inform, persuade, entertain, or educate. Based on these factors, marketers can decide the appropriate length for their content that can satisfy both the readers and the search engines.
- Keyword Density
Another aspect of SEO that marketers should pay attention to is keyword density. Keyword density is the percentage of times a keyword appears in a content piece compared to the total number of words. Keyword density can affect the ranking and relevance of a content piece, as it can indicate to the search engines what the content is about and how well it matches the user’s query.
However, keyword density is not a fixed metric that marketers should follow strictly. There is no ideal keyword density that can guarantee a high ranking, as different keywords and topics may have different levels of competition and difficulty. Moreover, keyword density is not the only factor that search engines consider when ranking content. Other factors, such as content quality, link profile, user signals, and technical aspects, also play a role in determining the ranking and authority of a content piece.
Therefore, marketers should not focus too much on keyword density and avoid keyword stuffing, which is the practice of using keywords excessively and unnaturally in a content piece. Keyword stuffing can harm the readability and user experience of the content, and also trigger search engine penalties. Instead, marketers should use keywords naturally and strategically throughout the content, and also use synonyms, variations, and related terms to diversify and enrich the content.
- Relevant Keywords
Choosing the right keywords to target is crucial for any SEO-friendly marketing strategy. Keywords are the words and phrases that users type into search engines to find what they are looking for. By targeting the relevant keywords, marketers can increase the chances of their content appearing in front of the right audience and generating more traffic, leads, and conversions.
However, not all keywords are created equal. Some keywords are more popular, competitive, and profitable than others. Marketers should conduct thorough keyword research to find out the best keywords to target for their niche, industry, and goals. Keyword research involves using various tools and methods, such as Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, Google Search Console, competitor analysis, and brainstorming, to discover and analyze the keywords that users are searching for and the keywords that competitors are ranking for.
