The 3 Elements of SEO: A Guide to Creating Optimized Content

While there are far more than three paths to content optimization, there are key elements of SEO you should keep in mind. If we at DemandJump were forced to choose three, these would be our picks:

1. Create a web out of your content.
2. Use different types of keywords.
3. Don’t forget the little things.

Of course, each of these is much easier said than done, not to mention there are more than enough strategies to consider for each individual element. But what things are most critical about each of these three elements, and what search engine optimization strategies should you prioritize? Today, we’d like to help you figure out what SEO techniques to use, as well as show you some ways we help our clients focus their SEO efforts in the right direction. Let’s start by breaking down the three SEO elements above.

Technique #1: Create a Web With Your Content.

We’re all familiar with the term “one-hit wonder,” but that doesn’t just happen in the music world—it happens with content, too. You may have even experienced this yourself: a single page/blog/product of yours goes viral, but you don’t quite know why and you can’t quite recapture that lightning in a bottle. This is particularly confusing if your audience seems to glom on one particular thing that you do, when you have multiple things to offer that are just as valuable or possibly better!

One of the reasons this may be happening is because your content isn’t connected; you need to link your content together—both literally, and by matching your reader’s search intents. As you know, it’s not enough to just hook people once—you need to do it again, and again, until they start looking for you on their own. So even if one page of yours sees a lot of clicks, it’s not guaranteed the readers will return.

Then, how do you get readers to return? By repeatedly being the answer they want, when they want it, on each step of their buyer journey. For example, if you know that someone who searches “types of SEO” is likely to follow up with “on-page SEO techniques,” then pieces that use the former keyword should link to one (or more) that uses the latter. This is the, ahem, pillar belief of Pillar-Based Marketing (PBM), which interlocks content to match user intent so when readers find your site, they stay on it.

Speaking of keywords…

Technique #2: Use Different Types of Keywords.

As you may already know, keywords can take many forms and sizes, all of which tell you more about the people searching them. And it’s not about quantity, but quality; keyword stuffing will get you nowhere. Like in Technique #1, this is about mapping out your target audience’s buyer journey, from start to finish. Keywords give you clues about where someone is on that journey and what exactly they’re looking for.

As an example, here are different types of targeted intent keywords:

• Informational keywords mean they’re not looking to buy anything; they just want to learn more.
  • Example: “How do you optimize your content?”

• Navigational keywords show you they are looking for something or someone specific.
  • Examples: “Amazon,” “YouTube,” “DemandJump,” etc.

• Commercial keywords are used by those who are shopping around, but not sold on anything.
  • Examples: “content marketing near me,” “best SEO tools,” etc.

• Transactional keywords tell you that the person is closing in on a purchase.
  • Examples: “buy content optimization tools,” “purchase content plan,” etc.

Mind you, this is just one subcategory of keywords. There are many other ways to parse out keywords: short- vs. long-tail, questions vs. statements—the list goes on! Needless to say, don’t just pick a bunch of random words to throw into your content; really think about what your user is searching for, so you can position yourself as that thing.

Technique #3: Don’t Forget the Little Things.

SEO isn’t just won on the big stage; you can also rack up a million little victories here and there. If you’re ever unsure what search engine optimization strategies to use—or perhaps, you’ve already got some you’re using—maybe the devil is in the details. For example:

• Is your meta text accurate and descriptive?
• Are your images properly sized for good load times?
• Can web users find ways they can get in touch with you?
• Is your content indexing on Google?

These are just a few examples—and sure, they’re all minor in the grand scheme of things—but minor details add up very quickly. Plus, not everyone is willing to take the time to “eat their vegetables” with SEO, so to speak. None of this stuff is particularly glamorous to do, but it can help you win rankings.

What SEO Tools Do You Use To Get to Page One?

There are a million ways to approach content optimization. But no matter how you slice it, getting to page one takes a thorough strategy, helpful content, and the right software to make research easier. DemandJump wraps all of those things up into one neat package. We…

• Make keyword research easy with our AI-powered content strategy platform.
• Use Pillar-Based Marketing to develop comprehensive strategies that match user intent.
• Create helpful, original, compelling content—thanks to our top-tier writers!

If you’re ready to get your optimization off on the right foot, reach out to us at DemandJump. You can even try the Insights platform for yourself—and it’s totally free!