I told you I was serious. Yes, I’m serious about eradicating the monicker I’ve so unmercifully bestowed upon myself – SEO dummy, that is. Just so we’re on the same page here, self-deprecation is not something I eat for breakfast on a regular basis. But I know my limits, and I realize it’s better that I stare at this ugly truth in the eye now and be done with it.
Image courtesy of Evgeni Dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
SEO has been the one thing I’ve struggled with ever since I started blogging. I have no problem with content (well, not for the most part, at least), although I must admit I haven’t been publishing as much content as I had during my first six months in the blogosphere.
But that’s understandable. Things have gotten in the way, with freelancing another of the things to occupy my very little time nowadays.
Matt Cutts himself has said it. Google’s newest Panda update is aimed at leveling the playing field. After all, readers look for quality content, not overly optimized “junk” blogs that outrank practically everyone in the Google SERPs.
Understanding the problem
I think you will agree. The first step towards progress is accepting there is a problem. And once you’ve come to terms with this fact, the next step involves research, lots and lots of research, towards finding a solution.
Okay, I have to concur lots and lots of research is a whole lot. But hey, there’s no shortcut to anything that’s bound to stay for the long haul, is there?
Now, the first bullet point I’ve listed in SEO from a Dummy’s Perspective is content being king, which I’m going to expound on in this article. This line has been mentioned a million too many times in the blogosphere sometimes it’s easy to believe we got it right when we actually didn’t.
What makes good content
Matt Cutts himself has said it. Google’s newest Panda update is aimed at leveling the playing field. After all, readers look for quality content, not overly optimized “junk” blogs that outrank practically everyone in the Google SERPs. That said, what exactly makes good content?
1. Good content is properly written.
Looking at the other side of the coin, aside from poorly constructed sentences (my favorite blogger from oceans away calls this bad English gratis), bad content also equates to bad spelling, misplaced or missing punctuations and spun articles that give readers a bad case of tension headache.
2. Good content addresses questions.
I’m guessing you’ve gone this far because you, too, would like to generate traffic to your blog. Otherwise, you would have already fled in horror at the first sight of the word SEO. Now, it’s a given that readers come to a blog because they’re seeking to find answers to questions.
And if the question “Why in the world should anyone care about what I’ve got to say?” is something you yourself cannot honestly answer at the end of each article, it’s perhaps time to consider rewriting your article.
3. Good content is backed by research.
For readers to take you seriously, you have to provide credible content. Meaning, everything you say (those that are supposedly based on facts, at least) should be supported by trustworthy links and other resources.
4. Good content is well-structured.
Paragraphs are made for a reason – readability. Think about it. Won’t you have a hard time reading a page-long one-paragraph article? Well, I sure will. Break down long text into paragraphs and, if possible, provide each a subtitle. This way, your readers see the main idea right away.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, good content isn’t free. Nope, not at all. Just because you can do it yourself with no high-tech gadgets involved, it still isn’t free. It requires a LOT of time and effort.
And finally, before you go about believing you’re done here, it’s important to remember that coming up with killer content doesn’t mean anyone will give a darn. Blog exposure is another hurdle to clear, something that’s probably as important as creating good content.
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Nice write-up! and as long as you write it yourself then, good article is still free… 🙂
SEO Master Ariston, you’re here! Thanks for your input and for visiting!
Well av learnt some new tips here, thanks poster
You’re welcome!
You write so well, I’m dumbfounded! Yes, content is important more than anything. Oh, I just hate it when people don’t break up their posts in paragraphs. Hurts my eyes. I haven’t really given much thought to SEO, so Panda seems like a good thing.
Coming from a great writer like you, Pepper, that made me blush. Yes, it seems Panda is for the rest of us who strive to provide good content.
Content is really king since readers would come back for well written blogs and also of course, there is still a need to promote blogs.
Right you are, Franc!
Oh thank you! I will keep this in mind so my blogs would benefit well…though for my photoblog I don’t really need to write a lot. Thanks again!
You’re always welcome, Marie. Thanks for dropping by!
Content content content. It’s all that matters 😀
That says it all, doesn’t it, Herbert?
I’ve been blogging for 8 months now and still I don’t understand so much about SEO and so many blogging terminologies. hehe. And at the moment I am still lazy to learn and read about it since this is my past time as long as I’m enjoying it then I will continue blogging. And of course as long as people are dropping by my blog and enjoying my posts. For now I won’t worry about other stuff yet.. 😉
I guess you’re right, Violy. No need to burden ourselves with rules as long as we’re enjoying what we’re doing, huh?
SEO, God help me…. I’m only getting around to it; although not the quality bit I hope. Last time I checked I could spot what is quality and what is not through a thunderstorm, even those that are plagiarized.
On the other hand, there’s no use pretending I don’t like the benefits that come with good SEO. But what I really want to read regularly are posts containing both – quality and good SEO.
Allow me to rant just a bit more (and I hope I don’t come off quite toxic :)) – I secretly raise an eyebrow at blogs that are earning considerably well but whose owner or blogger behind it has the grammar of a 4th grader.
Now that my secret is out, I’m outta here, shutting up. Wehheh… load out, felt good. Good post, Maricel.
You’re definitely not being toxic, Hazel. And you sure are not being nasty about the grammar thing, too. And boy, don’t they all give us the headache, especially when we wonder how in the world they’re earning so well?
Thanks for the tips. Though I have been blogging/writing for yrs now, it was just recently that I came to know this matters in writing. Will definitely take note of your post.
You’re most welcome, Ness. And thanks for visiting!
not too long nor too short, well structured,properly written and straight to the point in my opinion is what makes a content king
I most definitely agree. Thanks for dropping by today, sis Joy!
true. writers need to make their content worth people’s time to check out, maybe adding some interesting photos and videos, as well.
Thanks for the comment, Fifi. And I also agree with what you said about the photos and videos.