Guest posts don't get enough attention from a marketing standpoint. Most of the talk surrounding SEO deals with keyword research, on-page strategies, and using analytics tools. But if we had to name one off-site strategy that consistently proves invaluable to our SEO efforts, it would be guest posting.
What is guest posting?
We trust you are familiar with the standard blog post. That is exactly what this post is. It is a post on our website, designed to speak to our customers: retailers who purchase wholesale sunglasses at cheap prices. A guest post is different. First starters, it appears on someone else's site. That site could be a news outlet, an industry-related site, or any other site where our customers might be found.
The main goal of guest posting is to drive traffic among potential customers. Sometimes existing customers see our guest posts and are still encouraged to follow the backlinks. But our main audience is potential customers. Guest posting drives them to our site.
Are keywords still important?
From a purely SEO standpoint, keywords are still important to guest posts. They are still the mean vehicle by which search engines understand web pages. The main difference with guest posts is that keywords have to be used more strategically. For example, imagine writing a guest post talking about the latest women's sunglasses for summer.
Continually using the phrase 'women's sunglasses' over and over again, in an unnatural way, can actually hurt the SEO benefit of the piece. Keywords have to be used naturally. That means you need a greater emphasis on keyword derivatives and long tail keywords.
How important is topic?
The most critical aspect of guest posting is the topic you choose. Remember, a guest post appears on someone else's website. Whatever topic you choose must appeal to the readers who normally visit that site. At the same time, there has to be some tie-in to what you are selling. You must find a way to get sunglasses and accessories into the subject matter in a way that is seamless and natural.
It is also important to choose a topic people actually care about. Writing about something that doesn't concern most people has limited SEO value for the simple fact that low readership means a low click-through rate. Obviously, you are looking for the highest possible click-through rate you can get.
Does authority matter?
Perhaps you've heard of online authority in relation to SEO. It is absolutely essential to guest posting. Guest posters are supposed to be experts in their particular areas. They are supposed to know what they are talking about. When you write guest posts, make sure they project industry knowledge and expertise.
Where statistics and links to other material are relevant, make use of them. When industry terms add authority without feeling like jargon, feel free to use them. The point is to make sure that readers understand you are an authority when it comes to designer sunglasses and accessories at affordable prices.
Guest posting is a fantastic SEO tool when used the right way. If you are not yet publishing guest posts, think about doing so. Guest posting is a terrific way to drive traffic to your website – and then sell sunglasses to otherwise casual visitors.
