Better Blog Series, Part 3: Use Targeted Keywords to Optimize Blog Posts

Recapping our Better Blogging Series – yesterday’s series post covered tips for creating headlines that draw more readers to your posts. Another strategy that will give your blog posts more exposure in the search engines is to seed targeted keywords throughout the content. When I say keywords I’m referring to the words, or phrases, people put into search engines like Google, Bing, etc. to get information.

There are two types of keywords: short-tail and long-tail keywords. Short-tail keywords are general terms while long-tail keywords are more targeted and specific. Long-tail keyword terms will give you better results in the search engines. A specific phrase that several people are using as a search phrase will have less competition from other websites using the same phrase than a general term that everyone’s using. Here are a couple of examples:

• “Home design” is a short-tail keyword. It’s very general and any number of websites could contain this phrase in their web content.
• “Islamic home design” is a long-tail keyword. It’s more specific.
• “Islamic home design in san diego” is an even more targeted example of a long-tail keyword. It specifies the type of home design and the location of the products or services.

When you optimize your posts for search engines, the placement of your keyword can make a difference too. Your primary keywords should appear:

• In the headline
• In the first paragraph (first sentence is better)
• In at least one sub-headline
• In the last paragraph.

Do not stuff your content full of keywords. Not only is this an outdated seo technique that can get your blog labeled as spam by the search engines, it can also affect the quality of your posts. You should always write for your readers. Concentrate first and foremost on delivering quality, useful information that appeal to your target audience.

You can use keyword research tools like Google Adwords or Wordtracker to find relevant terms and compare how many people use the terms in search engines.

Part 4 of the Better Blogger Series will cover the importance of keeping your audience in mind when writing blog posts.

Muslimahs Working at Home was created to provide women with a financial alternative to earning an income outside of the home. Our objective is to share resources and tools needed to operate a successful, home-based business.