How to Use Search Engine Optimization with WordPress

Search engine optimization is vital for the success of any blog or website.  By following some simple rules, alongside the help of various plug-ins, it’s easy to make your WordPress site more search engine friendly.  This means that when someone types relevant keywords into a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, you will appear as high as possible in the results, preferably on the first page.  More people will then click on your site, which is essential for its success.

Knowledge Is Power

The key to making your site attractive for search engines is to understand your target market.  As soon as you begin with your website builder, you need to know which keywords are being searched for, how your viewers arrive and which pages they like best.  This enables you to make the most of your content, ensure you’re using the appropriate keywords and helps you to create a loyal readership.  Google Analytics, StatPress and PostRatings are all free plug-ins which analyze various statistics about your visitors.  Go to our WordPress Resource Directory where you can download one for free.

Making The Most Of Your Content

The basic rule of driving traffic to your site is to write with search engine optimization in mind.  Content is key because a search engine cannot actually see a site.  It’s the words that do the talking.  You still need to create interesting, relevant and original content, otherwise your visitors won’t return.  Yet don’t waste hours with your website builder focusing on themes, fonts and colors.  If you don’t drive traffic to your site, no one will see it anyway!

Here are some basic rules to optimizing your content:

  • Stick to a single topic: each page or post should be focused and relevant.  Don’t just put in random keywords, as search engine technology can detect this.  They look for how tightly focused a page is, so it’s better to write about a single topic.
  • Don’t overdo the keywords:  you need to use your chosen keywords throughout your post several times, plus you also need to place them in the title.  Try to naturally integrate them into the structure so that your content is easy to read.
  • Don’t forget a title and description:  these appear when your site is listed in search rankings.  They should also contain your keywords or keyphrase, which can boost your ranking as well as enticing the reader to click on your site.

All In One SEO

If you’re new to search engine optimization, there’s a great plug-in called the All in One SEO pack, available in our resource directory.  It effectively helps you increase your search engine success with very little effort, by automatically optimizing your titles and metatags.  This package is excellent for beginners and best of all it’s completely free.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About the Author

Melanie Citron

Melanie Citron is a freelance writer and self proclaimed “techie” who lives in Denver with her husband, Glenn, and their three dogs Ralph, Sam and Billy. Melanie has become the “go to person” for creating online businesses for her friends and family. “I do it every day so I may as well write about it” Her knowledge has appeared on websites, in local newspapers and in person as a public speaker. In her spare time Melanie loves the outdoors and hikes and cross country skis.