Content Marketing and SEO

There is no question that search engine optimization (SEO) matters to businesses. As much as the Internet has evolved over the years, being searchable by consumers has remained a top priority for webmasters.

Search Engine Optimization, the techniques for optimizing a website for search engines, has also evolved. Gone are the days of simple keyword loading and meta tags to rank high on the searches. With search engines penalizing for "Ëœover-optimization' and the new emphasis on personalized results, what is a small business to do?

Content Marketing is one key way to improving your rankings without penalty. Content Marketing is using quality content (videos, articles, blogs, whitepapers, images) to provide value to consumers with the purpose of building your brand.

Content marketing is becoming increasingly important to businesses. The web has become hugely competitive, and the only way to attract visitors is by providing something of value. Whether entertainment or information, content marketing is one of the best ways to legitimately improve your website ranking. And best of all, you don't need to be an expert in SEO, you just need to be an expert on your business.

Ways Content Marketing Can Improve SEO

Let's say you run a business that sells pet toys and treats for the examples below.

1. Quality content means quality traffic. If a million people come to your site looking for iPhone cases, but you sell pet supplies, that traffic is worthless. They will immediately leave and keep searching for iPhone cases. If you are creating relevant content directed toward your target audience, you are more likely to draw the RIGHT people to your sight. A few people that are certain to buy are more valuable than many people who immediately leave. Work hard to bring visitors that are more likely to convert. It's not about quantity, it's about quality.
2. More content means more chances to rank well. The more content you have on your website, the greater your odds of being found in a search by your target audience. Don't forget about the important rule above "“ make sure your content is relevant to your business.  If yous ell pet toys and treats, write about pets! Provide information about health, exercise, and the best toys. Create funny pet images or share cute videos. But the more you have, and the better it is, the more likely people are going to find it.
3. Don't forget about personalized results. Even before the release of Google's Search Plus Your World, personal results mattered. If someone recommends or likes your content, it is more likely to appear in the search results of their connections.  Cute pet videos or images are popular. By creating or requesting submissions by customers, you can post these are your site and social media. When everyone likes, shares, or +1's them, you just improved your search ranking.
4. Content Marketing allows you to drive targeted traffic. Determine what your target audience is searching for more often. Perhaps it's "Ëœhealthy dog treats'. Then write an article about how to find healthy dog treats.  You can also target traffic for specific products/services in this way. By picking specific key terms, will increase your SEO for that particular key term. The more targeted your traffic, the higher your conversion rates will be.
5. Content marketing creates GOOD links. As Google continues its link crackdown, it is more important than ever to have quality links to your site to rank well. By providing good content, you will naturally create good links. How? Consider how many times you've shared an article or funny image. Maybe you pinned it on Pinterest. Tweeted it. Linked to it from one of your blog posts. This creates real links that not only bring traffic from these sites, but also improves your overall site ranking.