10 Things to Expect from a Professional SEO Writer
Optimizing content for search engines is crucial to building a successful online presence. With so many writers offering SEO writing services, choosing the right one can be challenging. So, what should you expect from a reliable SEO writer?
1. A Strong Understanding of SEO
A great SEO writer doesn’t just know how to craft content—they understand the fundamentals of SEO strategy. They should be familiar with key concepts like keyword relevance, keyword research, and the importance of backlinks. This knowledge plays a major role in boosting a website’s ranking in search engines. The writer should also stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes, ensuring that your content remains competitive.
For example, understanding how Google’s algorithm favors high-quality content over keyword-stuffed pages is essential for crafting a balanced piece. This ensures the content ranks better while also providing value to readers.
2. A Proven Track Record
You have the right to ask for proof of successful SEO projects. A professional SEO writer should be able to show tangible results from their previous work, including examples of websites they’ve successfully optimized. Real-world results are the best proof of their expertise. Testimonials from satisfied clients, case studies, or increased website traffic and improved search rankings serve as strong indicators of their capability.
Additionally, check if the writer has experience in your specific industry or niche. A specialized SEO writer familiar with your field will have a better understanding of your audience, which can lead to more effective content.
3. Effective Keyword Usage
Keyword density is a crucial factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. Your SEO writer should avoid stuffing content with excessive keywords. Ideally, each page should target 2-3 relevant keywords to maintain focus and readability without sacrificing content quality. Modern SEO emphasizes natural keyword usage, meaning keywords should fit smoothly into the text rather than being forced into awkward phrases.
Moreover, understanding the difference between primary and secondary keywords can help maximize the article’s SEO potential. Primary keywords are the main terms you want to rank for, while secondary keywords add context and help boost overall relevance.
4. Clear Agreement on Keyword Analysis
It’s important to clarify who will be responsible for keyword analysis. While an SEO writer can handle this, it might sometimes be more cost-effective for someone closer to your business to perform this task. Regardless, make sure this is agreed upon early in the process. A professional SEO writer should also know how to use keyword tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify high-value keywords that are both relevant and have low competition.
This will help you better target long-tail keywords, which are more specific phrases that typically convert better because they match the user’s intent more precisely.
5. Targeting More Specific Keywords
Competing for broad keywords can be tough. A skilled SEO writer will advise you to target more specific keyword phrases. This not only increases your chances of ranking higher but also drives more relevant traffic to your site. For example, instead of just targeting “SEO writer,” your content might focus on more niche phrases like “affordable SEO writer for small businesses.”
Targeting these types of long-tail keywords can give you an edge over competitors and increase your chances of attracting visitors who are more likely to convert into customers.
6. Appropriate Content Length
Quality content doesn’t always mean long content. Each page doesn’t need thousands of words. An SEO writer should know when 100-200 words are enough, depending on the page’s objective and audience. For instance, landing pages often perform well with concise, impactful copy, while blog posts benefit from more detailed discussions.
However, for SEO blog posts, having at least 600-1000 words is generally considered best practice as it allows for better keyword integration and provides enough depth to engage readers.
7. Understanding of Keyword Density
A good SEO writer will discuss keyword density and ensure that the content includes the right number of keywords—neither too many nor too few. For optimal results, the primary keyword should have a density of around 5%, while secondary keywords can range between 3-5%. Overusing keywords can lead to penalties from search engines, as modern algorithms prioritize content quality over quantity.
Additionally, writers need to ensure that related terms, or LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords, are naturally integrated to support the main topic and improve the article’s relevance to search engines.
8. Strategic Keyword Placement
Besides keyword density, where the keywords are placed also matters. Ideally, keywords should appear in the title, subheadings, and early in the article. This not only helps search engines understand the content’s focus but also improves the content’s chances of ranking higher. Placing the focus keyword in the first 100 words of your content can significantly enhance your ranking potential.
Moreover, ensure that your meta descriptions, alt text for images, and URL structure also include relevant keywords.
9. Well-Structured Internal Linking
Your SEO writer should ensure that each page of your website is connected through internal links. This helps search engines index your site better and improves user navigation, enhancing the overall user experience. Internal linking also encourages visitors to explore other relevant pages on your site, reducing bounce rates and increasing session duration.
Good internal linking strategies can boost your SEO by creating a web of interrelated content that search engines can easily crawl and index.
10. Avoid Promises of Quick Results
SEO is a long-term process. Be wary of an SEO writer who promises fast results within days. Consistent, ongoing optimization is key to achieving sustainable results. Don’t be tempted by unrealistic promises that sound too good to be true. While you may start seeing some improvements within a few weeks, achieving solid, lasting rankings often takes months of work.
Investing in high-quality SEO content pays off in the long run by building a strong foundation that attracts and retains visitors, eventually boosting both your visibility and conversions.
