In the past few years, Google's content focus has changed from Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to quality content. The Google algorithm is now constructed to favor quality over quantity. That doesn't mean that SEO is not important, however. It still makes a difference as to how easy it is for your customers to find your content. Here is a five-point checklist to ensure an effective SEO strategy:
Choose long-tail keywords (LTK): Research shows that LTKs convert the best. LTKs are phrases that more effectively target what the user is looking for. For example, your customer is more likely to search for "small battery operated space heaters" than "heaters." The results for "heaters" would be too long and unfocused. Make sure to know the LTKs that your customer is using.
Put keywords where they belong: Having the right keywords is only half the battle. You have to make sure to place them in the right spots in your content to make an impact. One key way is to include it in your title. Google gives you only 55 characters to display your content. Think about that when you choose your keyword locations.
Monitor your results regularly: The web provides you with many ways to monitor how well your content is doing. Check your analytics to monitor whether you're hitting your goals.
Optimize for video content: Videos are great attention getters. The key is to make sure that they don't take forever to load. No one will wait around.
Look at your mobile content: Make every effort to provide usable mobile content. Go to the Google "Mobile-Friendly Test" and test whether your site is readable.