This is the central goal of all marketers and web masters today: optimizing a blog for the best possible performance in search engine results. Of course, as with any critical mass topic, there are many schools of thought as to how best to achieve this goal. But underneath all the debate, these five important optimization factors continue to serve as the foundation for any successful blog.

Factor 1: Select the blog’s primary keywords in advance.

It is very important to have a list of primary keywords and key phrases in hand before even beginning to optimize a blog. The reason for this is simple: these are the keywords and phrases that visitors are most likely to use to find the blog, whether via organic or paid search results.

Doing keyword research to create a working list of primary keywords and key phrases in advance can help determine everything from site navigation to page content to blog template and other vital factors that can contribute to a blog’s success.

Tools to aid in keyword research: Check out Google’s Keyword Planner tool.

Factor 2: Choose a web host that is mobile-friendly and fast loading.

Mobile friendliness is the reigning king of today’s most successful websites and blogs. Page loading speed is the queen. Choosing a web host that optimizes for both can make or break even the most content-rich and relevant blog.

This is even more critical when it comes to WordPress hosting for a blog, since WordPress hosting is currently used for an estimated half of all active online blogs today!

Tools to aid in optimizing for mobile friendliness and speed: Navigate over to Google’s free twin tools, the Mobile Friendly test and the PageSpeed Insights test.

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Originally posted on October 10, 2016 @ 9:24 pm