Step 1: Start with keyword research
Every blog post that ranks well starts with a clear target keyword — a phrase that real people type into search engines. Before writing a single word, you need to know what phrase you are writing for and whether enough people search for it to make the effort worthwhile.
Free tools like Google's search bar are a good starting point. Type your topic and look at the autocomplete suggestions — those are real searches. Google's "People also ask" section shows related questions worth addressing. Free tools like Google Search Console (once your site is live) show which queries your existing pages already appear for.
For a new site, focus on low-competition, specific phrases. "How to reduce word count in an essay" is better than "writing tips" — it is specific, it has clear intent, and established sites are less likely to be targeting it.
Step 2: Write a clear, keyword-rich title
Your blog post title is the most important SEO element on the page. It appears as the clickable headline in search results and in the browser tab. Keep it under 60 characters so it does not get cut off in search results. Put your target keyword near the beginning. Make it clear what the reader will get from clicking.
[Target keyword] + [specific benefit or angle] + [brand name optional]
Example: "How to Reduce Word Count Without Losing Meaning — SmartWriteTools"
If you are writing titles for multiple posts or pages, use the case converter to apply Title Case consistently across the whole set in one step. Paste all your titles, convert, and copy. It is faster and more accurate than checking each one manually.
Step 3: Write a compelling meta description
The meta description appears below your title in search results. Google does not always use it, but when it does, it is your sales pitch. Keep it under 160 characters. Include your target keyword naturally. Focus on what the reader gains from clicking — not what your post contains, but what problem it solves for them.
Step 4: Structure your post with header tags
Search engines use your heading tags (H1, H2, H3) to understand the structure of your post. Use one H1 — your main title. Use H2s for major sections and H3s for subsections within those sections. Include related keywords in your H2s where they fit naturally. A well-structured post is easier to read, easier to scan, and easier for search engines to index correctly.
For a 1,000-word post, aim for at least three H2 sections. For longer posts, more is better — one H2 per major topic, with H3s beneath where needed.
Step 5: Hit the right word count
Blog post length is one of the most debated topics in SEO. The honest answer is that the right length is however many words it takes to fully answer the reader's question. That said, posts under 300 words rarely rank for anything competitive. Posts between 800 and 1,500 words are the sweet spot for most topics. Posts above 2,000 words perform best for competitive, information-dense subjects.
Use the SmartWriteTools word counter to track your word count in real time as you write. The word goal progress bar shows how far you are from your target.
Step 6: Use your keyword at the right density
Your target keyword should appear naturally throughout your post — in the first paragraph, in at least one H2, in the body text, and in the conclusion. A density of 1–2% is ideal for most posts. Below 0.5% and the post may not signal relevance clearly. Above 3–4% and you risk appearing as keyword stuffing to search algorithms.
Use the Keyword SEO Analyser to check your density before publishing. Enter your target keyword, paste your post, and run the analysis. It shows your density, readability, structure and content length all scored together so you can see where to improve.
Step 7: Write for readability, not search engines
Modern search algorithms are sophisticated enough to measure how people behave on your page. If readers land on your post and leave immediately, that signals poor content quality. If they stay, scroll and read, that signals value. The best SEO strategy is the same as the best writing strategy: write something genuinely useful, clearly and accessibly.
Keep sentences under 20 words on average. Use short paragraphs. Avoid jargon. Use examples and real-world illustrations. Check your Flesch-Kincaid readability score — aim for 60 or above for general audiences.
Step 8: Add internal links
Internal links — links from one page on your site to another — help search engines understand the structure of your site and distribute ranking authority. Every blog post you publish should link to at least one or two other pages on your site where relevant. Use descriptive anchor text that tells the reader what they will find when they click.
Step 9: Optimise images and page speed
If your post includes images, compress them before uploading. Add descriptive alt text to every image — this helps accessibility and gives search engines additional context. Page speed is a ranking signal. A post that loads slowly loses both readers and rankings. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check your score and follow its recommendations.
The complete SEO blog post checklist
- Target keyword identified and realistic
- Title under 60 characters, keyword near the front
- Meta description under 160 characters, keyword included
- One H1, at least three H2s with related keywords
- 800+ words, ideally 1,000–1,500 for competitive topics
- Keyword density 1–2%
- Readability score 60+
- At least two internal links
- Images compressed with descriptive alt text
Check your SEO before you publish
Paste your draft into the Keyword SEO Analyser and get a scored breakdown of keyword density, readability, structure and content length — free, no sign-up.
Open SmartWriteTools →