SEO and Content Quality: 5 Quick Tools at Your Fingertips
By PaperStreet on November 25, 2015 in Content
Helpful Editing Tools & Tips for Stronger Content
Thinking of adding a new page to your law firm’s website? You’ve done the research, you know what content you want to include on the page, and you want to write it yourself. You may even have a copyeditor to check your grammar, composition, and spelling.
However, if you don’t have the luxury or time of hiring a copyeditor, there are tools designed to help quickly sweep through your content and give you tips on how to improve everything from repeat words, consistency, pacing, and spelling (you should always use spell check for all content, no matter what tool you use to check it).
Here are five things to think about when checking your written words and the tools to help improve your content and law firm SEO efforts:
- Use a system that can work within your software: ProWritingAid is a tool that can be incorporated right into your Microsoft Word program. After writing a page, one of the most valuable functions is to check your repeat words. Perhaps the intent of your page is to let potential clients know that you specialize in motorcycle accidents. However, it’s redundant to keep using the phrase “motorcycle accident lawyer,” and it’s a flag to Google that you are trying to “stuff” keywords into your content. This program will help you identify the frequency of your keywords.
- Consider what appears on the search engine results page (SERP): A snippet optimization tool, is a great way to see exactly what your potential clients will see when they perform a search query. It is a great way to see what will appear in your title tag and meta description, and it only takes seconds to copy and paste your words within the tool.
- Review your already published pages and their meta descriptions and title tags: The Mozbar is another tool that can be incorporated into your already installed software – specifically, your browser. Many websites make the mistake of not including a well-written meta description on every page. At a glance, the Mozbar can help you view your meta description – or check to see if you even have one.
- Evaluate the structure of your content: One of the easiest ways to look at your content and see how it’s organized is to write it in Microsoft Word first. Think of your writing as though you are creating an outline. Create headings, bullet points, and blocks of writing. Make it easier for your website user to find specific information.
- Know the difference between copyediting and proofreading: The best tool for quickly checking your content is you – you are human, and your clients are human. They want to read words that are natural, as though you are speaking directly to them. Write down the information you want on your website page and then step away. Come back to check the flow and readability of your words (copyediting) – then step away. Come back and do a final check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation only (proofreading).
Additional Resources:
- How to Write the Perfect Title Tag
- Best Practices: Optimization for Writers
- New Optimization Standards for Writers – updated February 2015
- The Right Way to Link Your Website Content
