When I first started blogging almost four years ago, I didn’t know anything about SEO. I wrote posts that I thought were useful to others, and didn’t worry about researching keywords, keyword density, or even how the post would rank in search engines.
Being a technology-related blog, I knew that there was a lot of competition, in terms of SEO, with regards to many aspects of technology. I also knew that much of the content that is related to technology would be outdated. Today, however, I have realized a few things about SEO, and owning a technology blog, and have decided to sum them up in this post.
5 SEO Tips the I have Learned From my Technology Blog
I won’t repeat the usual SEO tips, such as optimizing page titles, header tags, and keyword density. These tips can be found on thousands of other sites online. I will focus on more of what I learned with regards to running a technology blog. These tips may be found on other sites, but aren’t usually included in with the standard SEO tips.
In addition, some of these tips can apply to other types of sites, so you may be able to utilize them for your site as well.
1. Type Error Messages in Posts
This point has to do with helping others solve error messages that appear when the are using something, such as an error produced by an application or an operating system.
I have seen many blogs and sites where the author has included a screenshot of the error message, but didn’t include the actual text in the body of the page. You should always, and I mean always, type out the error message, word for word, in the post content. Search engines read text, so why not include the actual message in the post?
When I have an error, and then perform a search, I usually type the error message in the search box. The sites that appear first in the rankings usually have the error message in the page content.
2. Include Error Message in Post Title
This point is similar to the first one. If an error message can fit in the post title, then include it. This has helped me rank well for certain keywords because the post title is probably one of the most important factors with regards to SEO. By including the error message in the title, you just improved your post’s chances of appearing high in the search results.
If the message is too long, I would usually include the most important part of the message, or try to provide an explanation of the error. I use the error message in the post content anyway, so the error message will still be picked up by search engines.
3. Include Manufacturer and Product Name in Title
If you are writing about a product, whether it is a review or “how to” article, you should make an effort to include both the name of the manufacturer, as well as the name of the product.
I have had people search for just the product name or just the manufacturer name and arrive at the same post on my blog. Since the post title includes both names, the same post ranks well for multiple keywords relating to the same product. I try not to target just a single keyword, I try to rank for multiple keywords for greater impact.
4. Write Articles for Older Technology
This is where technology-related sites may have issues. Many of the articles that are written for specific technology may become obsolete – or at least the author may think.
Some of my more visited posts on a daily basis is for a device that is considered old, and hasn’t been produced in years. The device was very common when it was produced, so many people own it and still use it (I do). The manufacturer, however, charges for support of the device because it is no longer supported.
The reality is that the average person will continue to use technology if it is still working. The die-hard, technical gurus will constantly upgrade, but the average user won’t, until it stops working for them. It could take years for the average user to replace certain devices or software, but during that time they may go looking for answers to problems they are having.
Ranking well for older technology may not be difficult, since most technology-related sites may be more concerned with newer technology, and you could get visitors for a few years while people are still using the outdated devices or software. This tactic has been working for me the past few years.
5. Simple Post Titles Can Be Effective
A tip that is common among site and blog owners is to create catchy titles that will draw a reader into your site. There have been some good titles that have caused me to stop and read the content. At times, however, a simple title can be just as effective.
For example, let’s say you need help with resetting your wireless router, a Linksys WRT320N model. You perform a search in Google and the first result is:
Chances are you will probably click that link. The title isn’t catchy or creative, but it does do a few things. It seems to be a “how to” guide on resetting (the problem you are having) the Linksys WRT320N wireless router (the router you are using).
You can also see how the title of the page includes enough information for the searcher to decide that they should click on that link. The title indicates that the answer to a problem is contained within that page.
These are some of the tips that I have learned over the years that I have owned Technically Easy. If you own a blog, what additional tips would you have for other bloggers?