ON-PAGE SEO: A FRESH GUIDE FOR BLOGGERS IN 2020

What is on-page SEO?

On-page SEO is the practice of optimizing the contents of your page to help search engines understand what your page is about. The common on-page SEO techniques include: title, Meta description, internal links, heading tags. By paying attention to these practices, you will be able to increase your chances of ranking higher on search engines.

This is completely different from off-page SEO that entails optimizing signals outside your site. That aside, for today we’ll put our focus on on-page optimization with all the possible techniques you need to put to practice.

Why is on-page SEO vital?

There might likely be many reasons why your content is not ranking on the first pages of search results. But one thing is for sure, if you are not paying attention on your SEO practices, then that is probably the reason.

The ultimate goal is to optimize articles for search engines to easily pick them and drive targeted visitors to your site.

That said, you should first build your knowledge on keyword research. Checkout:

Keyword research: what is and how to do keyword research for SEO

There is more to SEO than just cramming keywords on your posts. To rank your content on the first pages in 2020, you need to optimize your content for:

• Search intent
• User experience
• Click through rate
• Load times
• Bounce rate

15 On-page SEO techniques that will guarantee you higher rankings

1. Cover your post title in H1 tag

This is usually meant to make Google understand the page structure. The more attractive your title is, the more clicks your post gets. Also, try using targeted keywords at the beginning of your title.

Most blogging platforms including wordpress automatically add H1 to your post title.

2. Use target keyword in the top 100 words

This is an important on-page SEO technique because Google considers terms appearing early on your page. This is one of the things that aid Google in telling what your content is about.

Let’s face it. If your title is “Domain Authority” would it make sense using the term half way down the post? Absolutely no. That is why.

3. Keyword density

This is simply meant to confirm to Google that your post is really about the topic.

Keep your keyword frequency at about 1.5%. Include your keyword once in your first paragraph and also once in the last paragraph and anywhere around your content where necessary.

read keyword golden ration case study

4. Meta description

Use unique, keyword rich Meta descriptions. This will help your result stand out thereby boosting your click through rate from search engines. You need a user friendly Meta description that makes sense and is related to your post content.

5. Content is king

Be sure to give your audience something that is new and not duplicated content. It can be:

• New case study
• New tip
• Review

Being able to put out a unique content is a start but not enough. To stand out of the million posts coming out daily, you need to give a super priceless content.

You can achieve this through:

• Adding details: images, screenshots etc.
• Updated material: new strategies etc.
• Crisp writing: make your content more engaging

Your content should be precisely what a searcher is looking for in search results. Write comprehensive content that gives your reader everything in a single page.

6. Internal linking

This is mainly meant to reduce bounce rate on your site. When doing this, be sure to use rich anchor text.

This will show search engines that you are offering your readers more information beyond what is being displayed.

I recommend link whisper plug-in to help you manage your internal links. Always ensure your linking is relevant and above all, necessary.

7. Outbound links (External)

This is an on-page SEO technique that proves to Google that your post/page is the core of quality info.

While linking externally, only link to trusted sites. If in doubt, use a nofollow tag to avoid passing link juice to a bad site. This will make your site appear more credible.

Read: dofollow and Nofollow links: why you should focus on the in 2020

How outbound links improve SEO

8. Optimize URL for SEO

This is an underrated part of on-page SEO. It is as important as any other SEO practice.

• Make your URL short and precise
• Include keywords
• 9. Add schema

This is a technique that will help you outrank your competitors. This helps search engines get a better understanding of your content. It’s more like giving your content relevance.

For wordpress users, use schema pro plug-in to add schema.

This though does not directly help your SEO.

10.  Optimize your images/use original images

One thing you should consider when it comes to images is to use original images. Sites with original images do outrank other sites.

Images aid in driving traffic from search engines. Be sure keywords in your images alt text. Also ensure you give your images meaningful titles before uploading them.

11. Wrap subheadings in H2 tags

Always ensure you have added at least one sub heading and wrap it in H2 tag. This will highlight important points.

12. Use table of content

You know how important it is to give your audience a detailed article at times as long as 3000+ words.

Using a table of content will help your readers better navigate long articles.

13. Use title tag modifiers

Using modifiers can really come in handy to help you rank for long tail keywords in your targeted version.

For example: our truehost hosting review includes the modifier “review”

You can use words like: new, fresh etc.

14.  Add current year to your title and description

This comes in handy especially for contents that go out of date quickly. Let’s say like for smart phones and computers, people will ensure that they go for something current.

15.  Boost your page load time

According to Google, page speed is an SEO ranking factor. You can improve your loading speed by opting for a faster hosting service and reducing your page total size.

Final thoughts

For on-page SEO in 2020, here is a checklist to ensure that you rank higher on search engines.

Where to place keywords

• In the permalink
• In the first 100 words
• In the image alt tag
• In H2 and H3

Ranking factors

• Internal linking
• External linking
• Optimize page load times
• Optimize images
• Meta description

What are your thoughts on on-page optimization? Give your views in the comment section below.