How to Write Effective Content for Search Engine Traffic

Search engines drive most traffic today.

Users search keywords that are relative to the topic they seek and search results provide them with the best selection. Once a user click on a result, they seek information based on their search. If they do not find the information within seconds, they leave, off to click the next relative result.

In order to keep readers for longer periods, lay out content properly, show the basic idea of the webpage, and use hooks that catch their eye quickly.

Attempt to stop them from using the back button.

1. Using Hooks to Gain Attention

Hooks are the best way to catch the eye of the reader. They are the most sufficient way of quickly defining the purpose of a webpage and retaining the reader for longer than a few seconds.

A hook starts as the title of an article, then important statements, section titles, bulletin lists, and images.

Hooks are the key to getting the readers to start reading.

2. Proper Placement

I have always advocated that for informational-based website, appearance does not matter, but placement does. That statement is even truer with traffic coming from search results. They want information and want it now.

It is important to show users the correct elements upon loading the page before having them scroll down. You have to place hooks as the foremost element in the design. Users coming from search results, do not care about the outer glow on your logo or if you have a texture background. They want information.

In the past years, multiple studies have been done that show Internet users have a tendency to do what is known as the F-lens. This lens shows that readers focus on the title of the page and the first two paragraphs the most out of any other elements on the website.

It is critical to use hooks and well-written content within the top portion of the lens to keep users reading.

3. Organizing Your Thoughts

Readers tend to scan text. Organizing your thought help get the main point across. By doing this, your hooks and placement becomes more effective.

• Break up thoughts into paragraphs.
• Use headings to define new sections.
• Organize content into list form, when appropriate. Readers love list.
• Bold valuable statements within paragraphs (do not overuse).
• Keep it short. Be brief.

Writing for the internet is completely different from writing a book. Readers do not read text thoroughly, and have almost infinite amounts of information readily available. We have a need to spark the interest of readers quickly, if you wish for them to actually read.