Here’s a practical, no-fluff guide to writing blog posts that rank well in search engines — actionable tips you can apply to each post.

Quick overview (what matters most)

• Match search intent (answer what searchers expect).
• Be the best, most complete answer on the topic (depth + clarity).
• Optimize on-page signals (titles, headings, meta, images).
• Fix technical issues (speed, mobile, indexing).
• Promote and earn links, then measure & iterate.

Before you write

1. Research keywords & intent

   • Find the main keyword and 2–4 related keywords/phrases.
   • Determine intent: informational, transactional, navigational, or local.
   • Check the top-ranking pages: what format do they use (list, how-to, long form, product comparisons)?

2. Create a content brief

   • Target keyword + search intent.
   • 5–10 questions people ask about this topic (from SERPs, People Also Ask, forums).
   • Competitor headings to outrank and gaps to fill.
   • Suggested H2s/H3s, CTA, images/diagrams to include.

Writing the post (structure & on-page) 3. Compelling title & meta

• Title tag: include main keyword early; ~50–60 characters.
• Meta description: concise benefit + keyword; ~120–160 characters (for CTR, not ranking).
• Use a clear H1 (usually same as title or close variant). Only one H1.

4. Lead that converts and satisfies intent

   • First 50–100 words: state what the reader will get and why it helps.
   • If targeting featured snippets, include a short, direct answer near the top (one or two sentences or a small list).

5. Clear headings and scannability

   • Use H2s for major sections, H3s for subsections.
   • Short paragraphs (1–3 sentences), bullet lists, bold/italics for emphasis.
   • Add a table of contents for long posts.

6. Depth, originality, and usefulness

   • Cover the topic more comprehensively than competitors.
   • Add examples, original data, screenshots, templates, checklists, case studies.
   • Answer common follow-ups and objections.

7. On-page SEO best practices

   • Use the main keyword in title, H1, and naturally in a few H2s; avoid keyword stuffing.
   • Include synonyms and related terms (semantic/LSI keywords).
   • Optimize URL: short, descriptive, include keyword.
   • Use descriptive internal links to relevant pages (anchor text helpful but not spammy).
   • Outbound links to authoritative, relevant sources.

Images & media 8. Optimize images and multimedia

• Use high-quality images, charts, or videos to add value.
• Compress images to reduce file size.
• Use descriptive file names and alt text; include keyword when natural.
• Add captions when they help comprehension.

Technical & UX factors 9. Mobile, speed, and accessibility

• Ensure responsive layout and fast load times (compress images, lazy load, minimize scripts).
• Use HTTPS and clean navigation.
• Improve readability (contrast, font size) and accessibility (alt text, headings).

10. Structured data & SERP features

• Add schema where appropriate (Article, FAQPage, HowTo) to increase chances for rich results and snippets.
• Use FAQ sections to target People Also Ask and voice search.

After publishing 11. Promote to earn links & traffic

• Share on social, email newsletters, relevant communities.
• Outreach to sites that cited similar content; offer your post as an improved resource.
• Repurpose into short videos, infographics, slides.

12. Measure & iterate

• Track impressions, clicks, CTR, and ranking with Google Search Console and analytics.
• Identify pages with impressions but low CTR — improve title/meta.
• Update and expand posts every few months (refresh stats, update links, add new examples).

14 practical quick tips

• Aim to fully answer user intent rather than hitting an arbitrary word count; longer often wins when it adds value.
• Use a short “TL;DR” or summary at the top for busy readers.
• Include a clear CTA (subscribe, read next, buy) relevant to the article.
• Use canonical tags for duplicate/near-duplicate content.
• Internal linking: link from 2–3 high-traffic pages to new content to pass authority.
• Optimize for featured snippets: format concise answers (40–60 words), use lists/tables.
• Keep URLs under ~60 characters and lowercase with hyphens.
• Avoid competing with your own pages for the same keyword — consolidate similar posts.
• Monitor Core Web Vitals (Largest Contentful Paint, CLS, FID/INP) and fix regressions.
• Use data and numbers in headlines when possible (e.g., “7 Steps to…”).

Simple title & meta templates

• Title: How to [solve X] in [timeframe] — [Benefit] (Keyword)
• Meta: Quick summary of benefit + what’s included (example: “Learn 7 proven steps to optimize your blog posts for SEO, with templates and examples.”)

Mini checklist before publishing

• Does the intro state the answer/result clearly?
• Is the main keyword in title, URL, H1, and early in the text (naturally)?
• Are headings logical and scannable?
• Did you add images with alt text and compress them?
• Is content more useful/comprehensive than top-ranking pages?
• Are internal and external links included?
• Is schema markup added (Article/FAQ/HowTo as applicable)?
• Is page mobile-friendly and reasonably fast?
• Do title/meta encourage clicks?
• Did you schedule promotion/outreach?

If you want, I can:

• Create a content brief template for a specific topic.
• Review a draft and give on-page SEO edits.
• Suggest titles/meta and a short outline for your target keyword.

Which would you like next?