SEO Information

Creating A Search Engine Copywriting Plan


Search engine copywriting has become an extremely important part of the overall search engine optimization process. However, in addition, search engine copywriting has developed into a misunderstood craft.

Shoving keywords in anywhere they can possibly go is not considered search engine copywriting. The process is more defined than that. Successful SEO copywriting takes planning. Any half-hearted efforts at writing copy geared strictly toward the engines will usually result in a decline in your customer's experience at your site.

What's the best way to write SEO copy? Starting with a plan is always a good idea. Keep in mind, these are guidelines of techniques that can be used *IF* they make sense for your site visitors. I never recommend writing solely for the search engines. In the case of search engine copywriting, the customer is truly #1.

1) Use Three Keyphrases Per Page - Not a carved-in-stone rule, the guideline of three keyphrases per page gives good variety and helps keep the copy from sounding too repetitive. I always choose keyphrases first - before I write - because they can have a direct impact on the focus of the page.

2) Have 250 or More Words of Copy - The length of your copy depends on several things: Your target customer's preferred communication style, whether the product is new to the marketplace, if a detailed explanation needs to be given, site design and many other factors. However, the 250-word minimum gives enough room to get your message across and offer an effective level of keyword support. Remember though, it's all about the customer. If your target customers prefer longer copy, write longer copy. If they like shorter copy, write shorter copy.

3) Write In Natural Language - "Natural language" is a term popular in SEO copywriting. It means that the reader should not be able to (or should barely be able to) detect what keyphrases the page is being optimized for. The copy should flow as if it were not written with the search engines in mind. You don't want the copy to sound forced or stiff. When you generate ideas for the page copy, keep your keywords in mind. Ask yourself whether you can use them in the copy in such a way that they won't be obtrusive.

4) Use Keyword Phrases In Headlines and Sub-headlines - IF it makes sense to do so. You will not blow your rankings if you have no keyword-filled or other tags. If your headline sounds stupid with keywords in it, don't use them. There are countless sites online that rank highly which have no keywords in the headline.

5) Use Keyword Phrases Once or Twice Per Paragraph - Again IF it makes sense. Remember what I keep repeating? None of these guidelines are carved in stone. Read your copy out loud. If it sounds stupid or forced, take out some keywords or find ways to rework them so they flow more naturally.

6) Use Keyword Phrases In Bold, Italic or Bulleted Lists - IF it makes sense to do so. Don't automatically bold or italicize every instance of your keywords. It will make your page look stupid, and your visitors will wonder what kind of drugs you've been doing!

7) Do NOT Use Keyword Phrases As Substitutes For Generic Terms - For example, do not replace every instance of the generic word "cruise" with the keyphrase "Mexico cruise vacation." Your copy will sound ridiculous.

We offer Mexico cruise vacation packages on the most popular Mexico cruise vacation ships to the most breathtaking Mexico cruise vacation destinations. Oh please!!

8) Use Keyword Phrases As Anchor Text In Links - This is certainly not always possible. If your primary keyphrase is "Mexico Cruise Vacation," you absolutely should not write every link to include that phrase. However, if you can include keywords in anchor text within body copy or in text navigation links, you might score a little extra credit.

9) Test and Track - Lastly, and above all, please remember, it may take some tweaking to get your page to convert the way you want it to. All customers are not the same, and all sites are not the same. All keyphrases are not the same. There is no magic bullet. You'll have to test and track and see what works best for you.

© 2005http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword

Copy not getting results? Learn to write SEO copy that impresses the engines and your visitors at http://www.copywritingcourse.com. Be sure to check out Karon's latest e-report "How To Increase Keyword Saturation (Without Destroying the Flow of Your Copy)" at http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword.


MORE RESOURCES:

BigNews.biz (press release)

The Top 5 Reasons to Hire a SEO Company - Wildnet Technologies
BigNews.biz (press release)
Many companies might have an in-house IT department, but that department might lack expertise with regards to SEO. This is where an SEO company comes in and ...
Today's Top Five SEO EssentialsMarketingProfs.com (subscription)
Domain names, misspellings and SEOSmartCompany.com.au
SEO: Help! Google Hates Me!SEO Consult (blog)
OfficialWire (press release) -Last Click News -Journalism.co.uk (press release)
all 63 news articles »


Unwired View

Bing's market share keeps growing but SEO experts split on how much businesses ...
SmartCompany.com.au
But SEO veterans are mixed as to whether businesses should be integrating Bing into their online marketing strategies. Microsoft and Motorola announced the ...
T-Mobile shifts to Google for mobile SEOLast Click News
Google stumbles in UK search market shareVertical Leap News (press release)
Mobile SEO wars heat up as T-Mobile drops Yahoo for GoogleBrafton
StuckOn -Practical Ecommerce -Vertical Leap News (press release)
all 493 news articles »


PR-inside.com (press release)

Elite SEO Marketing Launches New Blog Service
PR-inside.com (press release)
2010-03-11 22:12:28 - : Elite SEO Marketing has launched its special blog service, which will help to further enhance its SEO services. ...
Best SEO Link StrategiesSEO Consult (blog)
Price Structures for SEO Services – Pricing an Effective SEO CampaignThe Brainchild Group - Marketing News (blog)
7 Ways a Copywriter Can Help Improve Your Site's SEOImpact Media (blog)
PR-inside.com (press release) -SEO Consult (blog)
all 6 news articles »


Big Media or Big SEO Spammers?
GigaOm (blog)
I think that the work done to the duped content is done for the purpose of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The idea here seems to be stripping content, ...
Blogger Violet Blue Discovers SEO Spamming Of Her Columnsmediabistro.com (blog)
Some newspapers may hate search engines, but they love SEO spamEconsultancy (blog)

all 4 news articles »


Internet Marketing News

The perfect blend of SEO and PPC
Last Click News
Creating blogs and social media material can help harness the search engine optimization (SEO) campaign of a website. PPC specialists take a more analytical ...
SEO vs. PPC Debate -- Which Do You Prefer?Search Engine Watch
SEO + PPC: Spring Clean Your StrategyClickZ News
Balancing SEO and PPC marketingInternet Marketing News
PR Web (press release) -Search Engine Land (blog)
all 8 news articles »


Last Click News

Black Hat SEO Campaigns Claim 284 Top Terms in 7 Days
eWeek
It is well known that attackers are abusing search engines to lead victims to malicious sites. But a study by SonicWall paints a disturbing picture of just ...
Black hat SEO operations become rampantLast Click News
Warning as criminals use black hat SEO techniques to target surfersLakestar Media (blog)
Top Google Search Items Under SiegeDark Reading
PR Newswire (press release) -SPAMfighter News
all 22 news articles »


Why Use A IIS SEO Toolkit?
Mediapost.com
Have you heard of the IIS SEO Toolkit? Dean Cruddace defines it, explains how to use it, and why you might need it. Microsoft Bing offers a comprehensive ...



SXSW Austin Powers Up SEO Samba From March 13 To 16 - Yeah Baby
OfficialWire (press release)
by Press Office SEO Samba, a leading Internet marketing software platform and SEOTOASTER the most advanced SEO content management system out of the box, ...

and more »



BigNews.biz (press release)

SEO Copywriting is Your Answer to the Quest of Enhancing Sales and Getting ...
BigNews.biz (press release)
SEO copywriting could be the answer to your quest in such cases. It is not easy devising suitable SEO copywriting technique that would generate such results ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006