What is good SEO writing?

Let's begin with the concept of writing with a specific audience in mind. For example, everyday countless people use the Web to find products, information, or services. They use search engines such as Yahoo! or Google to direct them to these products, information, or services.

What if your website was the perfect place to supply these products, information, or services?

But, people were never directed to your website by the search engine they used and never became your client. Good SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, writing can help gain visibility on the Web.

To better understand why your website did not appear on the search results list, we need to think like a search engine. After you enter your search, the search engine compares your keyword or words to their content index of the Web. It uses a complex algorithm to scan for the frequency and location of the keywords on a Web page. Words with higher frequency are often considered more relevant. Then, titles, links, content, and the reputation of the website become part of the equation. The result is a list of the search engine's best guess at what you were looking to find on the Web.

So, how should your writing change to take full advantage of this process? Here are the things you need to keep in mind for good SEO writing.

First, select keyword phrases that your audience would use in finding you on the Web. Repeat these phrases often in the first paragraph, headings, and links throughout the text. But, don't overuse them. Remember that you are writing for people and not machines.

Capture your audience’s attention early on. Put conclusions at the beginning of your text. Your audience may not be willing to read everything on your website.

Present information in simple and concise terms. Use lists instead of paragraphs whenever possible.

Include links to other relevant websites in your copy. This builds on other websites popularity and adds credibility to your content.

Use bold, heading tags, subheadings, and HTML tags to highlight your keyword phrases.

Repeat keyword phrases in titles and image text. While not hidden from your readers, they are a less obvious way of increasing use of your keywords counts. Search engines still see them.

Proofread your copy. Mistakes such as typos mean missed opportunities which won't show up on searches.

Finally, the most important point to remember again is that you are writing for people, not a search engine. SEO writing should still be good writing. Write for your audience first while you remain aware of SEO functions.

These few simple tips will help you improve your SEO writing and get noticed.