Create a Habit Around SEO That Impacts User Experience

If you’ve been ignoring your blog post metadata and leaving alt tags on images blank, then you’re missing a vital opportunity to connect with your audience. More importantly, your site may be less accessible to those with visual impairments.

You don’t need to drive yourself crazy trying to perfect SEO, but you can get into a habit of making your site accessible to both web crawlers and people who use screen readers. Here are the seven areas to pay attention to:

1. Title tag
2. URL
3. Meta description
4. Alt tags on images and video
5. Headers (H1, H2, and H3)
6. Internal links
7. External links

Why should you complete your meta tags?

It’s difficult to determine exactly how metadata will be used every single time as search engines focus on user intent. However, we know that it may pull up in search engine results and when sharing a web page on social media. Neil Patel calls meta tags,

The foundation of SEO.

Metadata gives you multiple chances to put your best words first. Plus, the proper use of metadata enhances the user experience for those who use assistive technologies to view your site.

Use your title, URL, meta descriptions and so forth to encourage the end user to click on your link. By doing so, you’ll increase your click-through rate and boost your search ratings.

The title tag differs from the actual title of your blog post, because it’s limited to 60 characters or less. While an eye-catching headline is important, when it comes to the title tag, clarity is key.

• If you glance up at your open tabs, then you’ll notice that the titles you see are actually from the title tag.
• If you use Yoast in WordPress, then creating a title tag is easy. You’ll enter a shortened title in the snippet preview area.

Remember to put your keyword as close to the beginning of the title tag as possible and focus on user intent.

Clean up your URL for improved user experience. See, web users view your link on the search engine results page. Screen readers read your URL out loud. By eliminating unnecessary words, called stop words, you’ll increase accessibility and click-throughs. According to Hubspot, cleaning up your slug is an:

SEO best practice that’s withstood Google’s many algorithm changes over the years.

The most common stop words include an, a, at, and so. However, there are dozens of words you can leave off such as: because, before, and they’ll. Yoast provides a full list of stop words, which is helpful.

Although Google has repeatedly said that the metadata description isn’t a direct ranking factor, a compelling call-to-action increases click-through rates.

Your meta description is the copy that people see on the SERP and it’s what compells them to click through. These excerpts are also used for social media shares. Moz says the major purpose is:

To describe the page to searchers as they read through the SERPs.

Readers are decision-fatigued. We scan the search results page and pick the ones that best match our reason for searching. With clean, clear copy that includes a call-to-action and naturally placed keywords, you’ll entice searchers to click on your link.

Although there’s some question over the exact length of meta descriptions, I tend to play it safe with 160 characters. Always complete your meta description, then read it out loud. Does it make sense? If not, then rewrite for clarity.

Search engines and screen readers can’t see images. By adding alternative text on all pictures and video, you’re telling the web crawlers how this data fits user intent. Plus, screen readers read the image alt text to the user.

Improve user experience by with a clear title for your image. Then fill in the description so that it accurately describes both the image and its function. Include keywords for improved search engine optimization.

Regardless of what changes come about, headers remain useful for both the visually impaired and for web crawlers. Many readers will glance at your blog post and scan your headers. Those using screen readers do the same. Headers are an ideal place to add keywords and meaningful copy. Much like an outline, the user should be able to understand what your post is about by reading your headers. Use H2 and H3 tags to add value to your post.

Internal links help Google understand the makeup of your blog for easier indexing. Adding links also keeps people on your website longer and lowers your bounce rate. According to Neil Patel,

Inner linking does so by providing clear paths for spiders, prolonged sessions for users, and a tight-knit network of pages and posts.

Internal linking has three main purposes:

1. Aids in website navigation.
2. Defines the architecture and hierarchy of a website.
3. Distributes page authority and ranking power throughout the site.

The words you use for linking should be relevant to both your site and the post you’re linking to. For example, if you attach a link to the words “click here,” that’s doesn’t explain what the link is about. By being specific with your linking text, like saying find more writing job boards, it’s useful to both web crawlers and actual people.

External links serve a greater purpose than you might think. With the proper use of external links, you’re helping make the internet more useful for all.

You can help your site ranking by linking to sites with higher domain authority. Plus, you’ll assist a fellow blogger with well-placed, keyword-rich, links to their related content.

However, to keep people firmly planted on your site, make sure most external links open in a new tab, these are called nofollow links.

Use best metadata practices for every blog post.

After you spend so much time creating the perfect blog post, it seems silly to drop the ball on this useful information. Whether you use Yoast in WordPress or handle it another way, by taking the time to complete these elements you make your blog more accessible for others and enhance the user experience.

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