Happy Halloween, everyone! I’m sitting here with a cat face painted on, trying to get this post up before I sweat it off at Orange Theory. In hindsight, the cat face might not have been the best choice, but I didn’t want to be the only one without a costume. I threw this together in just five minutes. If you’ve ever been to Orange Theory, you know how seriously they take festive themes!
It’s kind of perfect that today’s post is going live on Halloween, especially since my orange slip dress paired with black accessories feels so Halloween-inspired. But let’s get to the main topic. I want to chat about something that a lot of bloggers find intimidating, but really shouldn’t—SEO, or Search Engine Optimization.
SEO is all about making sure search engines notice you and your amazing content. You can’t just post your thoughts and photos and hope people find them. You’ve got to optimize your content so search engines know what you’re talking about and rank you higher than others writing about similar topics. Let’s dive into some tips and tricks to help with that.
1. Install the All-in-One SEO Plugin: If you’re using WordPress (which I recommend for blogging), make sure to download the YOAST SEO plugin. It’s user-friendly and guides you step by step to set it up correctly. It allows you to enter a META description and a keyword, giving your post an SEO score that tells you what to improve.
2. ALT Text on Images: Add ALT text to your images so search engines can read them. On WordPress, click on your image and select the pencil icon to give it a quick description, letting search engines know what your image is about.
3. Link Building: Getting referral traffic is fantastic for increasing your site’s authority. You can achieve this by collaborating with fellow bloggers for interviews or contributing content to online platforms. Even product review sites like Influenster can help boost your links.
4. Use Headings in Your Posts: Headings really help search engines understand what your content is about. It’s like using highlighters in a textbook to mark important sections. Use H1 for main topics and going down to H6 for subtopics, with H1 being the most crucial.
5. Beef Up Your Posts: Aim for at least 400 words to provide valuable content for both your readers and search engines. Short posts with just images and a few sentences won’t cut it.
6. Update Links/Fix Broken Images: While it might be tough to update all your old content, don’t ignore broken images or outdated links when you come across them. Google doesn’t like errors, and keeping things updated is beneficial for your site’s ranking.
7. Recirculate Old Content on Pinterest: When you find an old post that performed well, recirculate it on Pinterest. Repinning it can bring fresh attention and traffic to your site.
8. Utilize Google+: Google+ is owned by Google, so using it can help with your SEO. Set up your profile, share your posts, and network with similar-minded people to improve your visibility.
9. Install an SSL Certificate on Your Site: Google values site security, so having an SSL certificate will boost your SEO ranking. Sites with HTTPS load faster and tend to rank higher. To get an SSL certificate, you might need professional help, but it’s a worthwhile investment for improving your site’s performance.
Now, a quick fashion note! Slip dresses are a staple in my wardrobe. They’re easy to style and perfect for transitioning from fall to winter. Pair them with chunky sweaters, leather jackets, or layered pieces for a chic look. I’m currently wearing one from Sincerely Jules’ shop, and the burnt orange hue is ideal for fall. I’m dreaming of layering it with a turtleneck and heavy coat when it finally gets cooler.