Home > Arts & Humanities > Writing > Writing at Helium
Created on: September 28, 2009
More often than not - your potential readers will be searching for the answer to a question. Or the answer to several questions. As a writer on the web - your job is to offer up the answers. Craft them in an interesting way that is easy to read. Include key words in your title and you're more than half way there.
Your title is a signpost for your readers. But it is also the means whereby search engines can sift through any information that might be relevant to a search engine search. Put simply - you need to imagine what your average reader (the one asking the questions) might be searching for.
Let's pretend for a moment that your are a company which specialises in garden supplies. You want to attract more customers and you have a range of products to construct and maintain small pools and garden ponds. You want to commission an article to create interest for readers and wish to include links to sell your products in the article.
You don't want to call your piece 'How to design your garden'. As a title that is way too general. You don't necessarily want the readers who would Google 'Garden Design Services' in the first instance. You're not offering 'garden design services' - you're selling the products and accessories to help home-build enthusiasts construct their own pond.
How about: "How to build a mini pond?" instead? That's simple. This title includes your main key words 'pond' and 'mini pond'. It is specific enough not to frustrate readers who don't want general information but need details about the special products you have. A well-written article with relevant links could dramatically increase your product sales. It could be a one-stop shop for your customers with information, advice and pre-selected products relevant to the pond project.
If you're in any doubt about how to write a title, try a dozen search engine searches yourself and see what happens. Put yourself in a potential customer's shoes and select the key words you think they might be looking for in your title. It's great to be poetic and funny, but poetry doesn't really cut it in terms of search engine optimisation. You want to get the traffic, the hits and the sales, so you need to adopt a practical approach. Be clear about what you are trying to convey or sell. Choose your title and your key words to fit the purpose.
Learn more about this author, Frances Laing.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
Website traffic: How to write titles that attract readers and search engines
If you want to boost your success as a writer and enjoy the admiration and respect of your readers, you must first get their
How to optimise article titles and key words to attract readers and boost visibility to search engines
Whichever publishing
Website traffic: How to write titles that attract readers and search engines
Our title, Website traffic: How to write
More often than not - your potential readers will be searching for the answer to a question. Or the answer to several questions.
You want to write articles that arouse the curiosity of the readers. You want to write articles that benefit your readers.
Helium Debate
Cast your vote!
Helium writing contests are more frustrating than rewarding
Click for your side.
Featured Partner
The mission of Life for Mothers is to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in developing countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa, by strengthening healthcare systems and developing, implementing, managing and funding in...more