5 Key Elements of a Perfectly Optimized Content Page
Optimizing your website content is not an uphill task. All you’ve to make sure is to follow up content optimization best practices. In this article, I will get you through some of the most important elements of perfectly optimized content pages.
Before dwelling into the details, you have to know that Content still holds the key for page ranking. Therefore, certain page elements are required to be optimized well. The old age practice of writing a five hundred word blog with keywords scattered here and there is almost gone.
Now you need a beyond-perfect content page to hit top search engine rankings. For me, the focus of content pages is to gain ranking, grab links, educate audience, generate leads and drive engagement. Purpose of writing content may be any, but what matters the most is how optimized it is.
Following are the 5 elements of a content page that need to be optimized and decorated well. They will collectively ensure high rankings for the page in search engines.
1. Deep Keyword Research:
While starting off the content the first thing we consider is keyword(s). These keywords are the building blocks of the page. They create the essence of that particular page.
And finding right and relevant keywords is daunting. It’s tricky and time consuming too. But there use is inevitable. It’s essential that your page content is aligned with keywords. Whether it’s a pillar content, supporting content or cornerstone content, only right selection of keyword can rank them higher. No other way out at all.
It’s easy to discover ranking and competitive keywords for your next post. Use some popular free as well as paid tools. I’ll suggest tools like Google’s keyword planner and SEMRush. These tools can help you find which are the keywords being searched by users. Don’t start writing randomly. Create a keyword strategy and a plan to ensure complete success.
2. Optimize Page’s Meta Description:
Whether you consider them useful or not, Meta description has always been integral to the page optimization. Meta description is the text that you can see on the SERPs. Google selects a piece of text from the page written and displays it with the search results.
When a page gets into the search results, searchers scan through its Meta. Unless it’s enticing and engaging, they don’t open the page. That means a well thought Meta can pull more clicks for your page. It can simply spike up your page CTR.
Google has cut the number of characters to be used in Meta description. Any description that exceeds the number is automatically truncated.
So what to do?
Write a Meta that explains the context of the page. Keep check on its overall length, Use keywords and its synonyms in the description at least twice. It will encourage more clicks.
3. Use Heading Tags Wisely:
After keywords and Meta, Heading tags (H1 and H2 mainly) are other significant elements to look at. H1 tag is the main heading for your page and you can input it the ‘title’ area in your CMS (Take her WordPress).
When using H1, you can use your main keywords in it with other supporting modifiers.
Similar optimization can be considered for H2 heading tag also. H2 is the second most important heading after H1.These subheading are used within the page and carry enough weight like main heading.
There is a word of caution while using H2. Avoid stuffing targeted keywords in the heading. Instead, you can include various keyword variations which make sense to the content.
4. Images and Videos:
A content piece that only contains text, text and text is ultimately boring. It may have the juice but so much of text can cut the reader’s connect. It’s a proven fact that use of visual element can enhance audience engagement. It simply has impact on various metrics that are ranking factors, say bounce rate.
If you haven’t yet utilized videos and images (infographics, charts) in your content or they are underutilized it’s time to include them. They help your readers better consume your content.
Use of relevant images and guiding videos make the topic easier to understand. These visual elements engage more. That means it can simply increase the time that a visitor spends on your website before going back to SERPs.
Make sure the pictures and videos being used are fully optimized. It’s important for having your page speed unfazed. Rather to use own videos use hosted videos from premium video hosting and streaming platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo and others.
Similarly while using images, unless necessary resize them to save space and reduce server load time. Optimize image name, alt and description using keywords to give them more visibility in regards to search engine optimization.
5. Outbound Links
Another important element to be included in a page is an outbound link. Outbound links are those that navigate to an external, relevant source. It’s always a good practice to add an outbound link a source to your content page. It’s helpful both readers and search engines.
It enables users to read related post further about the similar topic. Moreover, outbound links helps search engines to better understand the relevancy of your content page the link is linked to.
While linking to the resources make sure they are authoritative. Link to only those websites or resources adds value to your readers and address their pain points.
