Bloggers can use SEO to reach a larger target audience
While fewer influencers are choosing to maintain a blog, due to the labor-intensity and expense, those who choose to continue should make sure they get the full value. Blogging begins with ensuring search engine optimization (SEO) to drive visitors and visibility. And while Google’s constant algorithm updates can be tricky to navigate, there are baseline guides to help optimize a blog’s SEO in order to drive more traffic. The art of driving users to a website begins with getting content to appear higher in search engine results, so let’s take a look at some best practices to boost your earnings.
1. High quality content
Content reigns as king. The quality of your website and blog content are crucial for SEO. How an audience engages (or doesn’t engage) with your content is important for SEO. By providing helpful content for the user, you’re increasing user time on page and lowering bounce rate - two metrics that are important to keep a pulse on.
Pro Tip: According to Hubspot, the optimal bounce rate is 26% to 40%, however this depends on the viewer’s device. For example, mobile devices have a high bounce rate at 51% compared to a desktop device at 43%.
2. Mobile friendliness = Mobile-first indexing
Google launched mobile-first indexing and predominantly uses the mobile version of the content for indexing and ranking. Since the majority of users now access Google via a mobile device, they decided to primarily use the mobile version of a page's content going forward and serve mobile-friendly search results to users. Having a responsive site means you only have one version of your site that auto adjusts for screen size. The mobile version is technically the same as the desktop version.
Pro Tip: Make sure your content is the same on mobile as it is on desktop, because almost all indexing on your site comes from the mobile site.
3. Secure website with HTTPS
HTTPS is a security measure that helps prevent intruders from tampering with communication between users and your site. Intruders can inject their own ads into your site or trick users into installing malware. HTTPS protects the integrity, privacy, and security of your site.
4. Keep it simple with an excellent user experience
In a study, Adobe Systems found that 38% of users will stop engaging with a website if the content and layout is unattractive. Your website should be very easy to use with all pages and navigation laid out as simple as possible.
Pro Tip: First impressions are everything. A user will decide to stay on your page if they like what they see within the first 0.05 seconds of visiting your website or webpage.
5. Page speed must be lighting fast
A slow site could lead to a huge loss in traffic and earnings. Slow site speed generally results in high bounce rates which is an indicator that the site doesn’t have a strong user experience and therefore the content is highly unlikely to be served in user search results.
6. Technical tricks of the trade
On-page optimization deals with the technical “behind the scenes” components of SEO.
- Meta data: Write the best titles and descriptions for your pages to improve clickthrough rates.
- Internal linking: Internal link structure helps users and search engines find pages easier.
Pro Tip: Internally link to other blog posts related to your topic, such as linking to a blog post on “Discovering how to be LTK’s next top-earning creator.” The intention is to capture the user’s attention.
7. Authoritative backlinks
Search engines crawl the web to see what other sites have to say about your content. What sites are linking back to your posts? What do they write about those links? How many times have your posts been shared? This confirms to search engines that your content is what you say it is.
Next steps …
Once you have optimized your SEO and begin reaching your target audience, why not ignite your business with LTK?
Join the LTK community of creators, who are building their personal brand by featuring and partnering with products and brands they are passionate about. This is your opportunity to earn more by doing what you love! Power your dreams and entrepreneurial spirit with LTK’s Creator Commerce™. We are the pioneers of influencer marketing.
As an LTK Creator, you get exclusive access to:
- A personalized Shop on LTK, with millions of monthly shoppers
- Access to over 5,000 brands, including collaboration opportunities
- Retargeting to remind your followers to return to your content
- Innovative technology like Price Drop Alerts and Post Push Notifications
- Easy tools to quickly create shoppable links and collections
- Small business support and one-on-one growth consulting
When you join the LTK community, you get unrivaled access to brand partnerships, innovative technology, data-driven growth consulting, and tools for global distribution.
LTK makes it easy to share your commissionable links across your social channels. Your blog is an integral part of your business. Creating shoppable blog content is easy when you include one of our unique widgets to your page.
Remember to disclose when you are using commissionable links, head to the FTC website for guidelines on how to do this.
Meet fellow bloggers who are LTK Creators
“LTK has helped me achieve success, by creating the most amazing tools, software, introducing us to brands, opportunities, and so much more! The day I got my acceptance email to join the LTK platform was truly a sliding door moment. Everything changed that day for StylinbyAylin! My blog went from a creative outlet/hobby to a full time career that I can honestly say is my dream job. I’m beyond grateful for the LTK team and the founders Amber and Baxter Box.”
—Aylin, @StylinbyAylin
“LTK has not only changed the way we shop, it has changed my life! Every day is a pinch-me-is-this-real day! LTK provides tools and opportunities to make dreams come true! The team is capable, innovative, enthusiastic, and available. They’ve been there for me every step of the way and I am so grateful! They say, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I love getting to do what I do and I’m in awe of how I can provide for my family!”
—Jen, @interiordesignerella
Discover more creators who choose LTK to provide for themselves and their families by sharing what they love.
