Web Content and SEO

Do they meet?

[jlr1001]

Obviously they do . . . but how many SEO techniques/theories do you actively work with while developing content?

Are you analyzing keyword density as you go? Revizing copy layout to maximize content positioning?

Do you just write solid content for your visitors, and trust that the search engines will take care of themselves?

-J. L. Reid

[engine]

I start with the basics of what the business wants to say about itself - it's USPs.

I'd then write the copy around that and optimise it at they time.

I might re-work it a few times to saisfy the client's demands, but, essentially, it's be there or there abouts when it's produced first time.

[thejenn]

We don't write copy until after we finish keyword research. Then we decide what concepts will go on each page and assign keyword phrases to the pages based on that. From there, the copywriter puts together the content while keeping those phrases in mind.

It cuts out the need to go back and try to sandwich phrases into the copy after it's written. A few tweaks here and there and things are peachy. :)

[rcjordan]

I use freelance authors. I have a very detailed "mindset page" which they're advised to visit early in my discussions re commissioning a piece. It details the site demographics, the point-of-view I want, and even the topics the visitor is likely to be seeking. One of the last things I try to imprint upon them is a rather long keyword list. They are also given rough guidance about the layout, such things as doing separate breakout pages for important items rather than one long article.

I also tell them upfront that they shouldn't get emotionally attached to their keystrokes, because I'm going to aggressively edit it once they turn it in. This process usually involves cutting fluff sentences and adding keywords and inline links & anchor text.

[europeforvisitors]

I have an editorially driven content site, and I don't worry too much about optimizing for search engines because (a) I'm not an SEO expert, and (b) I might be able to bring readers in by writing to a formula, but my readers probably wouldn't stick around very long.

I do use accurate, relevant, keyword-rich page titles whenever possible, because that helps Google and other search engines determine what's on each page. But that's as far as I go.

Of course, some things that make sense editorially are also helpful in scoring high on Web searches. I've always broken my longer articles into multiple pages, with each page being on a different subtopics. For example:

1 - Elbonia (introduction)
2 - Getting to Elbonia
3 - Elbonia hotels
4 - Elbonia restaurants and bars
5 - Elbonia local transportation
6 - Elbonia Web links

This approach has helped me get referrals from search engines, but it wasn't dictated by the search engines--it's an approach that I started using for editorial and organizational reasons back in the mid-1990s when nobody (including me) had even heard the term "SEO."

[tedster]

One of the last things I try to imprint upon them is a rather long keyword list.

I have many clients who provide their own copy. As I gain their confidence, I ask that we start with me doing kw research before a first draft gets written, rather than trying to retrofit all of the SEO after the fact. This has proven to be a more economical work flow.

We also end up creating specific content JUST to target search terms - content they never would have thought of in isolation. Sometimes those articles end up being among the best they create. They are motivated by knowing there's already a new audience we can tap.

They are also given rough guidance about the layout, such things as doing separate breakout pages for important items rather than one long article.

I do this a lot, especially for authors who are new to web writing. I also emphasize the need for frequent heads and sub-heads, tapping the original kw phrases as much as is practical.