Long-form content has become increasingly important for websites looking to maximize their SEO potential. Content that is longer, more detailed, and well-written will help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). But the benefits do not end there.
Not only does long-form content provide the opportunity to discuss complex topics in detail, but it also signals to search engines that your site is an authoritative source on the subject matter. This further boosts rankings and increases visibility for users searching specific topics online.
By publishing high-quality long-form content regularly, websites can benefit from increased organic traffic and a larger pool of potential customers or readers. However, remember that great content should not just be created with keywords in mind; instead, it should focus on providing helpful information that engages readers while still being optimized for search engines.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and is a process that involves optimizing websites to rank higher in search engine results. SEO helps your website get listed on the first page of search engine results, which can attract more visitors. Some methods used when optimizing websites include creating keyword-rich content, building backlinks from other reputable sites, optimizing images with alt text, setting up structured data (such as schema markup), and ensuring that the site is mobile-friendly. All these tactics help make your website more visible and easier to find by potential customers or readers.
At its core, long-form content provides an opportunity to show off what you know about your industry or topic at hand and gives readers something worth their time reading.
When it comes to producing content, you should not write - at least initially - with SEO reasons in mind. Great content is meant to be highly valuable to your intended reader. So your number one priority in crafting a piece of content is to make it valuable for your reader. When you do that, a lot of the SEO will already be present.
Then you can go over the article and tweak it where needed.
Content Optimization Tips
An easy optimization technique is to go into your content and simply be more specific about certain points and less vague. Pronouns for instance hide valuable keywords. Consider how much more useful it is to say who they, he, or she is by a specific name versus using the pronoun. This makes your content more specific, increases its discoverability, and improves your SEO.
High-quality long-form content has become a critical component of website success in recent years and should be an integral part of any SEO strategy. By leveraging this type of content, websites can reap the rewards from improved rankings and increased organic traffic. Content creators should always strive to provide valuable information on topics that are relevant to their target audience in order to maximize the benefits that long-form content can bring.
By utilizing this longer form of content, websites can benefit from improved rankings, increased traffic, and better engagement with their target audience. It shouldn't be your only form of content, but longer-form content creation should be an important part of any SEO strategy and organizations should always consider the advantages that quality long-form content can bring.
Is longer content better for SEO?
Nowadays, yes. Long-form content can be beneficial for SEO as it provides a platform to discuss topics in more detail, signals to search engines that your site is an authoritative source on the subject matter, and can help you rank higher in SERPs. Nonetheless, content should not just be created with keywords in mind; instead, it should focus on providing helpful information that engages readers while still being optimized for search engines.
High-quality long-form content has become a critical component of website success and should be an integral part of any SEO strategy. By leveraging this type of content, websites can reap the rewards from improved rankings and increased organic traffic. Content creators should always strive to provide valuable information on topics that are relevant to their target audience in order to maximize
How many words should you aim to have in your long-form content?
Long-form content should typically be at least 2500 words in length, but the optimal word count can vary depending on the topic. Content that's too short or not detailed enough will generally struggle to perform well in SERPs, so always strive for quality over quantity.
By taking advantage of the potential benefits that long-form content provides, websites can benefit from increased visibility and higher rankings in SERPs. Content creators should ensure that content is relevant and engaging while also being optimized for search engines with strategically placed keywords. Content should always meet high standards when it comes to quality and length as this will help maximize the benefits brought by long-form content.
What are good examples of long-form content?
Good examples of long-form content include in-depth blog posts, comprehensive tutorials or guides, and lengthy white papers. Content like this will typically be at least 2500 words long and provide detailed information on the topic. Content should not just focus on keywords; instead, it should provide valuable insights into the subject matter while also using keywords to ensure search engine optimization.
Long-form content is a great way for websites to increase their visibility online and improve their SEO performance. Content creators should always strive to produce high-quality content that meets the length requirements while still being optimized with strategically placed keywords. Content should provide helpful information that engages readers while still providing value to search engines. By leveraging the power of long-form content
How much does long-form content cost?
The cost of long-form content will vary depending on the complexity of the topic and how long it takes to create. Content creators typically charge by word count, so longer pieces of content will be more expensive. Content should also meet high standards when it comes to quality, which can increase the amount of time needed for creation and therefore lead to higher costs.
Businesses know spending a few hundred dollars on an ad is a standard cost, and what they get is temporary exposure. A blog post, on the other hand, can drive traffic to your website – and help you convert visitors into customers – for years. My advice is to aim for the best quality writer you can afford. It’s much more likely to pay off in the end.
At Scratch Writing, we typically charge by the word but factor in hours of research projected to complete the article. Our typical rate as of this article is around $85 per hour or 250 words. So a 1,000 article from us would cost $340. However, extra hours might be needed for research. Generally, we earmark about an hour of research per $500 words. So, a 1,000-word article would ultimately be priced at $510. That being said, there are a host of other factors that might drive that price down.
What are pillar pages?
Pillar pages are long-form pieces of content, usually between 2000 and 4000 words in length, that provide an overview of a specific topic or niche. Pillar pages are typically made up of several sections that each cover different aspects of the topic and include relevant keywords to ensure better search engine rankings. These pages can be used to link other related blog posts or articles, providing further information on the same subject. Content creators should strive to make these pages as comprehensive as possible while still being well-structured and engaging for readers. Pillar pages can be powerful tools for websites looking to improve their SEO performance and increase visibility online.
How much do content writers usually charge?
Content writing rates vary depending on the length and complexity of the content, as well as the experience level of the writer. Content creators typically charge by word count, which means longer pieces of content will be more expensive. Content should also meet high standards when it comes to quality, which can increase the amount of time needed for creation and therefore lead to higher costs. On average, content writers can charge anywhere between $0.05-$1 per word with experienced writers typically charging around $0.15-$0.30 per word.
Should I have a PDF download for my long-form content?
Yes, it is recommended to create a PDF download for your long-form content. This can provide readers with an alternative way of consuming the content and can be linked back to other pages. but remember, you don't want to simply have a PDF can call it a day. Google doesn't necessarily like to show a PDF as a result. Google wants a web page filled with valuable content. Now, it is quite common to have a PDF as part of a gated content strategy. in this case, you have a long-form piece of content that might ask a reader to sign up for a newsletter in exchange for a gated PDF. Oftentimes, a reader will provide an email, and the PDF will be provided by an email download link.
No matter how you share the PDF, your long-form content still must be filled with valuable searchable readable text-based content.
That being said, content creators should strive to make the PDF as visually appealing as possible while still providing valuable information. Additionally, creating a PDF version of the content will make it easier to share and link back to, which can lead to increased visibility online and improved SEO performance.
Overall, long-form content is a powerful tool for websites looking to improve their SEO performance and increase visibility online. Content creators should always strive for quality over quantity when creating content and ensure that pieces are well-optimized with strategically placed keywords.
Long-form content should also meet length requirements while providing engaging information and value to readers. Content creators should also consider creating a PDF version of their long-form content to increase shareability and promote visibility online. With the right strategies in place, websites can benefit from increased rankings, organic traffic, and improved SEO performance.
Sources
- Content Marketing Institute (2020). “What is Content Marketing and How Can it Help My Business?” Content Marketing Institute, https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/what-is-content-marketing/. Accessed October 2020.
- Moz (2019). “The Beginner’s Guide to SEO.” Moz, https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo/ Accessed October 2020.
- Search Engine Journal (2016). “Why Long Content Is the King of Content Marketing Strategies?” Search Engine Journal, https://www.searchenginejournal.
- Content Panel (2022) How Much Do Content Writing Services Cost In 2022? Content Panel, https://thecontentpanel.com/content-marketing/content-writing-service-costs/
- Peak Freelance (2022). "Freelance Writing Rates: How Much To Charge For Freelance Writing Services (2022)" Peak Freelance, https://peakfreelance.com/blog/freelance-writing-rates/
