Optimizing Blog posts

Blog Post Optimization

Ensure all of the following are complete before publishing:

1. Select focus keyword/key-phrase based on:
   1. Input from the client: SEO goals, competitors, traffic goals, etc.
   2. Tracking data and keyword inertia
   3. Client Internet marketing plan
   4. Ranking competitive factors
2. Ensure word count of at least 300
3. Adjust copy to a keyword density of ~2%
4. Write unique page title:
   1. Contains keyword (and variations if possible)
   2. ~70 characters
   3. Not used for any other page or post
5. Write unique meta description:
   1. Contains keyword (and variations if possible)
   2. 150-160 characters
   3. Not used for any other page or post
6. Optimize and load images
   1. Size images to exact pixel dimensions if:
      1. Image is used for standard features (e.g. 350x350px)
      2. Image is a slider or masthead image
      3. Image is used in any exact format location
   2. Other images should be sized based on:
      1. General images sized to 800px in the longest dimension
      2. Sized and/or cropped to the appropriate aspect ratio (e.g. “WordPress featured image”)
   3. Image file names should contain:
      1. The nearest related target keyword
      2. Depending on use, include dimensions (e.g. feature-image-350×350.jpg)
   4. Image formats:
      1. Photos: .jpg
      2. Logos: 24 bit .png
      3. Simple illustrations with few gradients: 24 bit .png
      4. Infographics: .jpg (in some instances, .png may result in a smaller file)
      5. Complex illustrations and illustrations with many gradients: .jpg
   5. Include image “alt” tag containing focus keyword
   6. Add image title and description to the image entry in the WordPress library
   7. Provide crosslink (internal content) anchors using focus keyword and related/semantic keywords
   8. Link to external related pages provided there is a very good reason to do so
      1. External links should include: target=“_blank”
      2. Consider nofollow attribute if circumstances dictate
   9. Heading structure:
      1. There should be only one H1 tag, which includes the target keyword
      2. H2, H3, etc. should contain target keyword and/or related keywords
      3. Use headings as necessary to make content scan-able and easy for humans to read
   10. Break content up into multiple short paragraphs to minimize large blocks of text
       1. 3-4 sentences is usually optimal
       2. Aim for 2-3 paragraphs under each heading
   11. Verify keyword/key-phrase has been added to SEMRush for tracking/reporting