Blog Post SEO Template

Blog Post SEO Template
A comprehensive template to guide your SEO-friendly blog post creation, from keyword research to on-page optimization and post-publication checks.

Author: [Your Name/Company Name]

Date Created: [Current Date]

Purpose: To guide the creation of SEO-optimized blog posts that rank well in search engines and engage readers.

BLOG POST SEO TEMPLATE

I. Blog Post Information & Strategy

  • Blog Post Title: (Your catchy and keyword-rich title)
  • Draft 1:
  • Draft 2:
  • Final:
  • Target Primary Keyword: (The main keyword you want to rank for, e.g., "best dog food for puppies")
  • Secondary Keywords/LSI Terms: (Related terms and synonyms, e.g., "puppy nutrition," "healthy puppy diet," "dog food brands for young dogs")
  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.
  • Search Intent: (Informational, Navigational, Commercial Investigation, Transactional)
  • Target Audience/Persona: (Who are you writing for? Their problems, needs, questions)
  • Purpose of the Post: (What do you want the reader to learn or do?)
  • Call to Action (CTA): (What's the next step? e.g., "Shop now," "Download our guide," "Sign up for newsletter")
  • Competitor Analysis (Top 3 Ranking URLs):
  • URL 1: [Link] - Key takeaways:
  • URL 2: [Link] - Key takeaways:
  • URL 3: [Link] - Key takeaways:

II. Content Outline

  • H1: [Your Blog Post Title] (Should contain primary keyword, usually the same as your main title)
  • Introduction (~100-150 words):
  • Hook the reader.
  • Introduce the problem/topic.
  • Briefly state what the post will cover.
  • Include primary keyword early on.
  • H2: [Subheading 1 - incorporating secondary keyword if natural]
  • Paragraphs supporting H2.
  • [ ] Internal Link 1 (relevant anchor text)
  • [ ] External Link 1 (to a high-authority source, open in new tab)
  • H3: [Sub-subheading under H2]
  • Paragraphs supporting H3.
  • [ ] Image 1 Placeholder (with Alt Text idea)
  • H2: [Subheading 2 - incorporating secondary keyword if natural]
  • Paragraphs supporting H2.
  • [ ] Internal Link 2 (relevant anchor text)
  • [ ] List/Bullet Points/Table (if applicable for readability)
  • H2: [Subheading 3 - incorporating secondary keyword if natural]
  • Paragraphs supporting H2.
  • [ ] Image 2 Placeholder (with Alt Text idea)
  • [ ] Video Embed Placeholder (if applicable)
  • Conclusion (~50-100 words):
  • Summarize main points.
  • Reiterate the value proposition.
  • Strong Call to Action.

III. SEO Metadata & Technical Elements

  • SEO Title Tag (<title>): (Max 60 characters, includes primary keyword, compelling)
  • Draft:
  • Final:
  • Meta Description (<meta name="description">): (Max 150-160 characters, includes primary & secondary keywords, encourages click)
  • Draft:
  • Final:
  • URL Slug (Permalink): (Short, descriptive, includes primary keyword, hyphens, lowercase)
  • yourdomain.com/blog/[your-keyword-slug]
  • Image Alt Text (for each image):
  • Image 1: alt="[descriptive, keyword-rich alt text]"
  • Image 2: alt="[descriptive, keyword-rich alt text]"
  • Image 3: alt="[descriptive, keyword-rich alt text]"
  • Image File Names: (Descriptive, keyword-rich, e.g., primary-keyword-image-1.jpg)
  • Image Compression: (Ensure images are optimized for web, typically <100KB per image)
  • Schema Markup (if applicable, e.g., Article, FAQ, HowTo):
  • *Consider implementing if relevant to content type.*
  • Table of Contents (Optional but Recommended for long posts):
  • *Improves user experience and can lead to jump links in SERPs.*

IV. Post-Publication Checklist

  • [  ]Proofread & Edit: Check for grammar, spelling, and flow.
  • [  ]Mobile-Friendly Check: Ensure the post looks good and functions well on mobile devices.
  • [  ]Page Speed Check: Test the page speed using Google PageSpeed Insights.
  • [  ]Publish Date: Ensure the correct publish date is set.
  • [  ]Social Share Buttons: Verify social sharing buttons are present and working.
  • [  ]Promote: Share on social media, in newsletters, etc.
  • [  ]Google Search Console: Submit the URL for indexing.
  • [  ]Monitor Performance: Track organic traffic, keyword rankings, and engagement metrics in GSC and GA.

Tips for Writing SEO-Friendly Blog Posts:

  • Focus on User Intent: Always write for your audience first, then optimize for search engines.
  • Natural Keyword Usage: Don't stuff keywords. Use them naturally within your sentences and paragraphs.
  • Readability is Key: Use short paragraphs, bullet points, numbered lists, and plenty of white space.
  • Engage Your Audience: Ask questions, tell stories, and provide actionable advice.
  • Update Regularly: Evergreen content benefits from periodic updates to keep it fresh and relevant.
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