SEO-friendly copy mixes the art of persuasive writing with the science of search engine optimisation. It's a vital skill for content creators and marketers, as it helps attract more organic traffic to your site and convert it into customers.
But how do you write copy that is both SEO-friendly and conversion-focused? Continue reading to discover more!
What Is SEO-Friendly Copy?
SEO-friendly copy is content written by a copywriter to help improve your website's visibility on search engines like Google. It's all about making sure your site gets noticed!
What Is Copy That Converts?
Copy that converts is content written by a copywriter with the primary goal of persuading readers to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or subscribing to a newsletter. An excellent example of a piece of copy that would convert would be the following:
"Don't miss out on our limited SEO services - sign up now and get 20% off!" This type of copy is focused on driving conversions or actions that ultimately benefit your business.
Now imagine if this same piece of copy was also optimised for search engines. It would not only persuade readers to take action but also attract more organic traffic.
How To Write SEO-Friendly Copy That Converts
Now that you have a better understanding of SEO-friendly copy that converts, here are some tips on how to write content that combines both elements:
1. Start With An SEO Content Plan
A well-written plan is essential for any successful SEO-friendly copy. Your plan should include:
- your target audience
- content structures
- graphics, illustrations, or images
- a call to action (C.T.A.)
Having a plan in place ensures that you are writing with purpose and direction - otherwise, you'll end up like a ship lost at sea!
2. Conduct Keyword Research
Keyword research is the act of finding and analysing words or phrases that users type into search engines. These keywords should be relevant to your business and target audience. For example, if you're providing Google Ads services, keywords like "Google Ads", "P.P.C. services", and "paid advertising" would be relevant.
When writing SEO-friendly copy that converts, it's essential to incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your content. This helps with search engine rankings and ensures that your copy is relevant and valuable to readers.
However, don't stuff keywords just for the sake of including them - Google can easily detect this black hat tactic and will penalise your site.
3. Write For The Reader
In September 2023, Google announced the Helpful Content Update, which strongly emphasises quality content. This means that writing for the reader is now more critical than ever.
When writing SEO-friendly copy, it's crucial to provide value to your readers. Google's search engine ranks your website based on the customer's satisfaction with your content. This means that if your readers find your copy engaging, informative and helpful, Google will rank it higher.
If your content is not helpful in any way, your SEO-friendly copy and conversions will not yield the desired results.
4. Implement On-Page SEO
On-page SEO refers to SEO tactics that you can implement on your website itself. These include optimising titles, meta descriptions, headers, content, links, and URLs.
If you want to write content that is SEO-friendly, you'll need to start at the very beginning. Here is an infographic about our on-page SEO checklist, which you can use as a guide.
5. Structure Your Content For SEO
Apart from implementing on-page SEO, you'll need to structure your content correctly. Let's take a blog post, for example:
- Start with an attention-grabbing title that includes your primary keyword. This will entice readers to click on your post.
- Use headers (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>) throughout your content to break up sections and make it easier for readers to digest information. White space between paragraphs is also important for readability.
- Include your primary keyword and related keywords throughout your content, but avoid overstuffing. Keyword density should be between 1-2%.
- Use bullet points or numbered lists to highlight important information and make it easier for readers to scan through the content.
- Add C.T.A.s (call-to-actions) throughout your content to encourage readers to act, such as subscribe to your newsletter or purchase a product/service.
By structuring your blog post in this way, you'll make it more SEO-friendly and reader-friendly. This will increase the chances of your content ranking well and converting readers into customers.
6. Use Clear & Simple Language
Most people have the tendency to use complex and flowery language to impress readers. However, when it comes to writing SEO-friendly copy, it's important to prioritise clarity and simplicity.
Most people search for information online because they want quick answers or solutions. If your content is too complicated or difficult to understand, they'll likely move on to another source.
Stick to using simple and clear language.
7. Remember E-E-A-T and YMYL
E-E-A-T stands for experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. These are important factors that Google considers when ranking content. Google and readers want to see that your content is written by someone who knows what they're talking about and can be trusted as a credible source.
YMYL stands for Your Money or Your Life. This refers to any content that can potentially impact a person's health, financial stability, or overall well-being. If your content falls under the Y.M.Y.L. category, it's crucial to provide credible and accurate information from reliable sources. For example, if you are writing SEO-Friendly Copy about skin health for a skincare brand, it's essential to provide accurate information from credible sources such as dermatologists or scientific studies.
Incorporating E-E-A-T and YMYL into your SEO-friendly copy will not only improve its search engine ranking but also build trust with readers.
Boost Your Conversions and Drive More Web Traffic Today!
With SEO-friendly copy, you can stand a chance to boost your conversions and drive more website traffic. Follow the tips mentioned above, or take the burden off your shoulders and hire professional SEO Content and Copywriting services in South Africa.
Your brand deserves to be seen and heard; with SEO-friendly copy, you can make that happen.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
1. Do copywriters need to know SEO?
Yes, it is important for copywriters to have a basic understanding of SEO techniques in order to create effective and optimised content that will rank well on search engines. This includes implementing on-page SEO elements such as keywords, meta descriptions, and title tags.
2. How often should I incorporate keywords into my copy?
Keywords should be used strategically and sparingly throughout your copy. Overusing keywords can result in penalisation from search engines and make your content appear unnatural to readers. It's crucial to find a good balance between using keywords to improve SEO and creating high-quality content.
3. How can I write a C.T.A. that converts?
A strong, effective call-to-action (C.T.A.) should be clear, concise, and action-oriented. It should also create a sense of urgency or importance for the reader to take action. Examples of effective C.T.A.s include "Sign up now", "Shop today", or "Learn more here".
4. Does the length of my copy matter for SEO?
While there is no specific word count that guarantees better SEO, longer content (+/- 1000 words) tends to perform better on search engines. This is because longer content allows for more opportunities to incorporate keywords and provides more in-depth information for readers.