Web Editing – How to Write Better Content

Many people think that SEO is all about technical code structures, sitemaps and link power. However, the content of a website is just as important as the techincal aspects. The web editor and content manager is vital and their job is to update, rewrite and add to the content almost daily in order to create effective SEO.

Web Editors do not need to be concerned with the latest online technologies or have an indepth knowledge of website technicalities. When it comes to filling up your pages with content it is important to write in a convincing, informative and engaging way. Just adding more and more information and over doing the use of your keywords can hinder your searchability.

What, you may ask, makes a good web editor? We have put together the Be Better Online  Top 10 List of Tips to guide you through the world of SEO web content and help you to to become an effective web editor.

# 1 Analyze your visitors

If, for example, you have a blog concerned about TV and you want to write a text about how great Swedish Television is then you should start by deciding which keywords will be most relevant for you to use in this particular article.

If you are unsure, the best place to start is the Google Keyword Tool. Google Keyword lists the approximate number of searches done on specific keywords, each month.

It appears in this screen shot that alot more people search the term ‘SVT’ as opposed to Swedish Television , and yet they still have the same importance.

Decide which keywords are relevant to you by identifying what your visitors are looking for and remember, the right keywords determine how many visitors successfully find you when they search.

# 2 Use the right title

As a web editor you have the power to affect how Google perceives your site content and if you choose the right  title you could improve how Google ranks your site. The amount of clicks your site receives is directly related to the suitability of your title.

Your title describes the content of your page and must include your chosen keywords. Your title should spark your readers’ curiosity and entice them to click. Also, try to place the relevant keywords as early in your title as possible.

Bad title:

Sweden’s best TV

Good title:

SVT: The world’s best entertainment – almost free

The first title is lacking in content whereas the second title includes the keyword early and there is more descriptive text to attract readers.

# 3 Insert Keywords Early

When it comes to writing your optimised text it is important to include your keyword in the first sentence and paragraph. Create a text that communicates your subject and add in your keyword as you go along where it fits naturally into the text.

In our example, you’ll see that the keywords appear early in the text:

“SVT, the swedish state television, is something of a unique case in the global media world. Even if it finansed by tax money, it is without political or commercial interests”

# 4 Make use of older material

Contextual links in your text are the best kind of links you can use internally on your site. Once you have the opportunity, you should always link to similar articles on your site.

You mention Hamilton is currently head of SVT in your article on SVT’s excellence so you could link to an article about Eva Hamilton, provided that it exists.

# 5 Describe your pictures

Including photos on your website is the perfect way to break up long text that could otherwise overwhelm the reader. It is important to remember that it is always quicker and easier to see what a subject is from the pictures.

It is important to always use ALT-tag pictures. By using a descriptive ALT tag, you are helping search engines identify the picture and its context in the text.

# 6 Be Current

Make it a habit of being up to date with what is happening in the world around you. What are people talking about? This way you can stay ahead of the competition and choose keywords that are relevant. This way if you choose emerging keywords that are set to become more popluar you will have early easy access to traffic.

# 7 Quality

Quality is an oh-so-obvious, yet often neglected pointer to remember when it comes to SEO.

Low quality content may not be read and could lead to poor traffic. If you constantly monitor and develop your website content, you will ensure you get the best quality to maximise your  search potential. It is better to dedicate the time to write one or two longer texts of high quality than to quickly publish several short and badly written texts of low quality.

# 8 Continuity

Too many sites have old, dated text that doesn’t interest visitors and won’t get the attention of Google.

How often you update your web pages will have a direct effect on how your website ranks in search results so continuity is important for how you are perceived by your visitors.

Update your site with a high standard of new and current text and you will build an authuritative and interesting website that has personality and people want to read. Your visitors will choose to return, linking and sharing texts which is fantastic news for your position in the search results.

# 9 Integrate with social media

Social media has become increasingly important to how a site is assessed and ranked by search engines. Different types of social media activity can really improve where your site will appear in the search results. It is therefore important to try to include content that features social media wherever possible.

# 10 Remember the reader

Our final SEO tip is to remember that behind all the technicalities of creating winning SEO content there is a real life reader. You should always write content for people first and foremost. Too much focus on search engine criteria will do more harm than good to your overall website effectiveness.

Vänliga hälsningar,
Mikael Uusitalo
Direct tel: +46 (0)31 - 788 02 50
Skype: bebetteronline
www.bebetteronline.se
Be Better Online Sweden AB
Stigbergsliden 7
414 63 Göteborg