In today’s world, parents are increasingly turning to the internet to research potential childcare options, and a well-designed website can be a powerful marketing tool. But what about your blog? While it may seem like an afterthought, your blog can be a powerful tool for driving traffic to your website and helping you attract new clients. And one of the best ways to ensure that your blog reaches its full potential is by employing basic SEO techniques.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is about making your content more visible and accessible to potential readers. By using keywords and phrases that parents are already searching for, you can make it easier for them to find your blog and get the information they need. In addition, regular updates and fresh content will help to keep your blog ranking high in search results. And as we all know, higher rankings mean more traffic!
Ready to get your childcare center’s blog ranking higher on search engine results pages? Follow this SEO checklist to ensure your blog posts are optimized for search!
Do your research
Keyword research is essential for SEO success. Use keywords throughout your blog post, including in the title, headings and subheadings, body, and meta tags. But beware of keyword stuffing! This is when a writer crams so many keywords into a blog post that it becomes difficult to read. A good rule of thumb is to use a keyword 2-3% of the time.
Structure your posts
Breaking your blog post into smaller paragraphs with headlines makes for an easy read—and that’s what you want since people tend to skim online content. Not only that, but Google also favors content that is well-structured and easy to read. So use headlines and subheadings liberally!
Incorporate imagery
People are drawn to images, so include some throughout your blog post. Choose images that are high quality and relate directly to the topic of your blog post. And don’t forget to add alternate text to your images. This is the text that will show up if the image doesn’t load properly, and it’s also what Google uses to index images for search results.
Insert links
Linking to other websites shows that you’re knowledgeable about your topic and helps build credibility with your readers. Just be sure that you’re linking to reputable sources. The last thing you want is to lead your readers astray. Whenever possible, link to articles from high-authority sites like .govs and .orgs, as well as popular news outlets like the New York Times or Time Magazine.
Propel your post with a powerful introduction
The first sentence of your blog post is crucial. You want to hook readers in and entice them to keep reading! Start with a strong verb and make sure you stay on topic. No one wants to click on a promising blog title only to be misled by the actual content of the article.
Close with a strong conclusion
Like the introduction, the conclusion of your blog post should be memorable—something that will stick with readers long after they’ve finished reading. If you can leave them with something positive or inspirational, even better!
Edit, edit, edit!
Once you’ve written your first draft, it’s time for self-editing. Go through your blog post with a fine-toothed comb and look for any typos or grammatical errors. These can hurt your credibility as a writer and make readers stop coming back for more of your content. If possible, have someone else proofread your work as well, to be extra sure everything looks good before publication.
Promote, promote, promote!
Now that you’ve published a fantastic blog post, it’s time to share it far and wide. Post about it on social media, include a link in any newsletters or e-blasts you send out and add it to relevant forum conversations. There are endless possibilities when it comes to promoting content online. Just be sure not to spam people. Nobody likes feeling bombarded by constant promotional material.
Monitor traffic and analytics
Google Analytics is a free tool that allows you to track how many people are visiting your website and where they’re coming from. This information can help you better understand what kind of content resonates with readers so you can continue writing articles that they’ll love!
Optimizing your content for search engines doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming! By following these nine simple tips, you can ensure that your childcare blog posts are working hard to attract new customers to your center.
At LCCM, we offer integrated digital and offline marketing solutions specifically designed for childcare businesses. We exist for only one reason: to help you, the child care owner, create & maintain your web presence, dominate business directory listings and search engines in your market, generate enrollments through paid advertising opportunities, and put your center on the map. Visit us to learn more!