Essential 6-Step SEO Strategy for News Websites: Drive More Traffic

Looking for keywords can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but luckily, some tools make it easier. Consider using a handy keyword research tool like the one from SEMrush. It’s quick, smart, and it won’t make your head spin.

Here’s where you should sprinkle those essential keywords:

• Page titles. Just remember, titles should pop! They need to catch eyeballs like a fly to honey, especially because clickbait thrives in this niche.
• Meta descriptions. These act like the appetizers to your main course title; they should whet appetites while being just as captivating.
• Page URLs. A clean, readable URL says, “Hey, I’m trustworthy!” Avoid that jumble of numbers and letters like you would avoid an ex at a party.
• Headings (H1-H4). These help Google and people know what’s what in your articles. It’s like giving your article a roadmap!
• Images’ filenames and ALT attributes. Fill these out properly; it'll help your site become more visible in image searches. And let’s face it, nobody wants an image named “IMG_1234” when it could tell a story instead.
• Anchor text. Use relevant keywords for linking to related articles. Think of it as giving articles a friendly nudge closer to each other.

Utilize engaging images

Funny enough, some text-only news sites are making a comeback, proving there’s still demand for the written word. But let’s not throw visuals under the bus—images make our articles sparkle, right? If you decide to stick with visuals, remember to keep those file sizes slim. Speed matters!

• Pick the right file format; it’s key!
• Resize images to fit perfectly; we don’t want any awkward cropping.
• When possible, merge images. It’s like making a multimedia smoothie!
• Compress them to lighten the load.

While some might lean on popular images, strive to use unique ones. Remember, a fresh image can lead to shares across social media faster than a hot potato!

Steer clear of duplicate content

Ah, duplicate content, the scourge of news sites everywhere! Google has a fine-tuned filter for recycling old news. If your content sounds too familiar, users might as well be looking for a needle in that proverbial haystack.

If you fall into the temptation to rush and use another site’s scoop (which we’ve all considered at 2 AM), here’s your action plan:

• Edit to make your content unique and fresh as a daisy!
• Set up 301 redirects to guide readers back to the original article without looking like a lost tourist.
• Employ the “rel='canonical'” to point back to the original source.

Lastly, when there’s news to report, avoid creating a whole new page like it’s a family reunion. Instead, keep the existing article updated with new info. It’s less clutter and way more efficient!

Next, we’re going to discuss how to keep a news site running smoothly. Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than logging onto a site only to find it slower than your grandma's dial-up connection. Keeping readers engaged means ensuring the site functions seamlessly.

3. Ensure Your Site Runs Smoothly

Enhance Your Page Speed

Ever heard the saying, “Time is money”? Well, in the news business, it’s also clicks! If your site takes ages to load, you might as well have a flashing “go away” sign at your digital door. Speed matters, and Google knows it too, boosting fast websites up the ranks.

Let’s amp up that speed! Imagine you're making a fantastic lasagna—every little change counts. Here’s what we can do:

• Compress those images so they’re not heavier than a toddler.
• Trim down unnecessary code—less clutter, more pizzazz!
• Avoid redirects like you avoid that one friend at the party.
• Choose a speedy hosting service or use a content delivery network.
• Consider Accelerated Mobile Pages for quicker article loading.

Give your site a speed test with WebCEO’s Speed Optimization tool. It’s like a report card for your site’s speed!

Make Your Site Mobile-Compatible

With everyone glued to their phones—even during meals—having a mobile-friendly site is non-negotiable. If your site isn’t optimized for smartphones, your rankings might just vanish faster than that last cookie at a meeting!

Fear not! Optimizing for mobile can be quick and straightforward. Here are the essentials:

• Ensure responsive design—no one likes to scroll horizontally!
• Use bigger font sizes—16pt or larger is the magic number.
• Keep popups minimal—unless they’re absolutely necessary!
• Space out your content so it doesn’t look like a jumbled mess.
• Fast loading? Yes, please!

Run a mobile assessment with WebCEO’s Mobile Optimization tool. Your audience deserves a smooth reading experience.

Correct Technical Bugs

Every website is like a trusty old car; it needs regular check-ups to avoid breakdowns! For a news portal, leaving technical errors unchecked is like keeping a pizza in the fridge for weeks—eventually, someone’s going to notice, and it’ll be messy!

Set aside time weekly to check for those pesky errors with WebCEO’s Technical Audit. Finding errors is like cleaning out your closet: you might be surprised at what you discover!

Nothing feels better than a well-oiled machine—so keep your site error-free and running like a charm!

Now we are going to talk about the importance of building relevant links. Just like our grandma used to manage a yard sale—collecting all those odd trinkets and turning them into hotcakes, we too need to gather some valuable backlinks for our news portal. It’s not just about throwing a link out there; it’s about making connections that matter.

4. Create valuable backlinks

Let’s face it—backlinks are like gold stars for your website. But where do we find these shiny little treasures?

• Blogs. Want a fast ticket to backlink city? Mention your news article in a blog. This could be on your own site or as a guest contributor on someone else's. Pro tip: keep an eye on the quality—the last thing we want is a link from a blog that looks like it hasn't had a decent meal in ages!
• Content directories. Submitting your articles to reputable directories can be a game changer. These directories boast high domain authority, so a link from them could boost your ranking quicker than a squirrel on a caffeine high. You can find some top-notch directories out there with just a bit of digging online.
• Forums. Nearly every forum has a section dedicated to news. It’s like finding a buffet after a long hike. Just remember, moderation is key—spammy behavior won’t win any friends, or backlinks, for that matter. Keeping tabs on our link profile is essential; nobody likes a cluttered closet, right?

Want a little nudge to check who’s linking back to you? No sweat! There are tools out there that make it easy. Throw in your URL and watch like magic how those links unfold—think of it as internet treasure hunting.

And here’s a fun fact for the adventurous: Google loves to see at least 20% of your links tagged as nofollow to make your site look more genuine. It’s like showing up to a party with a diverse group of friends so you don’t look like a total misfit! So, let’s sprinkle some nofollow links into the mix—there’s no harm in keeping the search engines happy.

Now we are going to explore the dynamic relationship between news sites and social media, highlighting how we can harness its potential. Anyone who thinks a news outlet can thrive without sharing on social media might as well be trying to navigate a maze blindfolded. That's a surefire way to get lost!

Maximize Your Social Media Impact

Remember the time your buddy posted an amazing slice of pizza on Instagram, and suddenly everyone was hungry? That’s the kind of engagement news sites can aim for—with a side of substance, of course.

Social media is like a megaphone for news—loud and full of reach. To make the most of it, regular posting is key. But let's not forget the unspoken dos and don'ts of the social landscape. Here are some essentials:

Be Everywhere

How many social media platforms can we name? Mostly the big ones, right? Facebook, Twitter, TikTok—the usual suspects. But don’t stop there; think outside the box. There’s a treasure trove of lesser-known sites ripe for news sharing.

Throw your net wide—aim to snag at least 25% of your traffic from these platforms. If we can post about our pet parrot learning to dance, you can surely share a headlining news article.

Once the pages are set up, it’s time for some sleuthing. Keep an eye on engagement metrics. The more likes, comments, and shares you get, the better you’re doing. And hey, sometimes it’s wise to peek at what the competition is up to!

Post When the Crowds are Here

Your readers are not online 24/7—unless they’re night owls, of course. If posts are buried in a sea of cat videos and memes, they won’t get much love. Lucky for us, there’s research on the best times to post—and yes, the big platforms have their sweet spots. Just imagine your post catching the right wave! Here’s a quick summary:

• Facebook: 8 AM – 1 PM, Monday-Friday
• YouTube: 2-4 PM weekdays, 9-11 AM weekends
• Instagram: 8 AM – 1 PM, best on Wednesday
• Twitter: 9 AM – 12 PM, Wednesday and Friday
• LinkedIn: 10 AM – 3 PM, Tuesday-Thursday
• TikTok: 2-3 PM Tuesdays, 1-3 PM Wednesdays & Thursdays

Of course, this may vary based on your audience. A peek at Google Analytics is like having a treasure map—it shows when your readers are most active.

Link Up with Social Pages

Ensuring readers can find those social media links is as crucial as putting on pants before leaving the house. Most smart websites pop their links at the top or the footer, where users are trained to look. If they don't see social icons, they might think, “Are they even for real?”

Let’s make it easy! Having recognizable icons next to those links is a simple but effective trick. It's all about the little things!

Make Sharing a Breeze

Ever tried sharing an article and felt like you were crossing the Sahara with too many clicks? Let’s be honest, that’s just way too cumbersome! Streamlining sharing makes all the difference. It’s like handing someone a slice of cake instead of making them bake it.

For WordPress users, there are plugins that handle this effortlessly. It’s comically easy—like those automatic soap dispensers you see in fancy restrooms. Pop a button, and BAM—your article gets shared! Other platforms? Sure, it might take more time, but trust us, it's worth it!

Now we are going to talk about getting featured in Google News. This isn’t just a shiny badge of honor; it’s a golden ticket to the digital limelight. With over 380 million visits each month, it's like being picked to play in the Super Bowl—exciting, right?

6. Getting Your Articles in the Google News Spotlight

Let’s kick off with what you need to do to snag that elusive spot in Google News. Because trust us, we don’t want to miss out on the big pie, right?

• 1. Be a news site. This one’s a no-brainer! If you’re sharing cat memes, it’s time to diversify.
• 2. Submit to Google News. Think of this as your official entry form to a fancy gala. You can't waltz in without an invite!
• 3. Create descriptive URLs. Your URL should practically be screaming the gist. “newsportal.com/best-chocolate-cake-recipe” is way better than “newsportal.com/123456”.
• 4. Proofread. Typos are like that one friend who keeps bringing up awkward moments at parties. No one wants that!
• 5. Cover local events. Americans want local news just like we crave pizza on Fridays. Make it relatable!
• 6. Use images and video. A great image can draw more eyes than a flash sale on Black Friday.
• 7. Be mobile-friendly. With everyone glued to their phones, your site better be easy to scroll on small screens.
• 8. Fast loading speed. We’ve all been there, waiting for a page to load. We recommend making that wait shorter than a squirrel’s attention span.
• 9. Implement Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). Google loves this. It’s like being in the popular crowd at school.
• 10. Adhere to Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. Play nice with the algorithm; it rewards those who follow the rules.
• 11. Follow content policies. There are lines you just can’t cross. Think of them as the unspoken rules of polite conversation.
• 12. Use subcategories. Organizing is key—no one wants to rummage through a messy closet!
• 13. Create a unique sitemap. This makes sure Google knows where to find your snazzy news articles.
• 14. Utilize structured data. It’s like providing Google with cheat codes to elevate your game.

Submitting to Google News isn’t just a one-off task—it's crafted to enhance your site's overall visibility. Even if your application is rejected (cue the sad trombone), you’re still setting the stage to improve your ranking on good ol' Google.

Conclusion

FAQ

• How can I make my news site easier to explore?
  By implementing a search bar, using pagination or infinite scroll, organizing articles with categories and tags, and providing breadcrumbs for easy navigation.
• What should I consider when creating compelling content for my news site?
  Focus on using fresh keywords, optimizing articles for search engines, and ensuring that content is both engaging for readers and appealing to search engines.
• How can I enhance my news site's page speed?
  Compress images, minimize unnecessary code, avoid redirects, choose a fast hosting service, and consider using Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP).
• Why is mobile compatibility important for a news site?
  With the increasing number of users accessing content on their phones, a mobile-friendly design is crucial for maintaining reader engagement and improving rankings.
• What are valuable strategies for creating backlinks for my news site?
  Utilize blogs by mentioning your articles, submit to content directories, and engage in forums while ensuring a non-spammy presence.
• How can social media impact my news site's traffic?
  By regularly posting and sharing engaging content on various social media platforms, news sites can maximize their reach and drive traffic to their articles.
• What is essential for getting featured in Google News?
  Be a news site, submit to Google News, create descriptive URLs, cover local events, use images and videos, and ensure fast loading speeds.
• What types of content should I avoid to maintain good SEO?
  Steer clear of duplicate content, which can hurt your site’s ranking and visibility in search engine results.
• How can I effectively use keywords in my articles?
  Incorporate keywords in page titles, meta descriptions, page URLs, headings, and throughout the content to enhance SEO.
• What is the purpose of using a sitemap on my news site?
  A sitemap helps organize content and ensures that Google can index all articles, making it easier for readers to find information.