7 Best Practices for Creating Engaging, SEO-Friendly Blog Content

When it comes to content marketing, creating high-quality blog posts that provide value to your audience and also rank well in search engines is key. But what exactly makes a blog post engaging and SEO-friendly? Here are 7 best practices to follow:

An illustration showing a blog post layout with engaging title, headers, images and content

1. Write Compelling, Descriptive Titles

Your blog post title is the first thing people will see, both in search results and when your post is shared on social media. Make sure it clearly communicates the topic of your post while also sparking curiosity. Include your main keyword phrase naturally.

2. Hook Readers With a Strong Introduction

After your title draws readers in, your introduction needs to keep them reading. Open with an interesting anecdote, question, or statistic. Concisely explain what the post will cover and why it matters to the reader.

3. Structure Posts for Readability

Most people scan blog posts rather than reading word-by-word. Make your posts easy to scan by:

  • Using short paragraphs
  • Adding subheadings to break up sections
  • Including bulleted or numbered lists
  • Highlighting key phrases in bold

    • 4. Optimize for Target Keywords

    While keyword stuffing will backfire, naturally including relevant keywords in your titles, headings, and throughout your posts will help them rank for those terms. Focus on 1-2 keywords per post.

    5. Include Relevant Internal Links

    Linking to other relevant posts or pages on your site helps visitors navigate to more of your content. It also spreads link equity to key pages. Include 2-3 internal links per post where relevant.

    6. Use Engaging Visuals

    Adding images, videos, infographics or other visual aids makes your posts more engaging and memorable. Use high-quality, relevant visuals to complement your text.

    A chart showing increased audience engagement on blog posts with visuals

    7. Finish With a Strong Call-to-Action

    End each post with a clear next step for the reader to take, whether it's subscribing to your blog, downloading a related resource, or contacting you. A strong CTA turns readers into leads.

    By following these 7 best practices consistently, you'll be well on your way to creating the kind of high-performing blog content that educates readers and boosts your search engine visibility. Bookmark this page and refer back to it the next time you sit down to write a new post!