Shrikant Portfolio

Tag: SEO blog writing

  • Shake It Off or Step It Up: The Future of SEO

    Shake It Off or Step It Up: The Future of SEO

    Introduction: Letting Go and Leveling Up

    Taylor’s Shake It Off is all about ignoring what does not serve you and focusing on what really matters. That is exactly how SEO feels in 2025. Some practices that once worked are now dragging websites down. Others are becoming more important than ever, and businesses need to step up if they want to stay visible.

    I am Shrikant Bodke, a web developer and SEO-driven digital marketer with six years of experience helping businesses worldwide, including India and the UK. Over the years, I have seen SEO shift from keyword stuffing to AI-powered insights. In this blog, I will break down which outdated strategies you should shake off and which to step up if you want your site to shine in the future of search.

    What to Shake Off

    Just like Taylor leaves behind the critics, you need to leave behind SEO practices that no longer work.

    1. Keyword Stuffing

    Repeating the same keyword again and again does not improve rankings. It only makes content awkward and unreadable.

    Better: Focus on topic clusters and related keywords. For example, instead of forcing “SEO services India” into every line, create a cluster with supporting blogs like You Belong With SEO: How to Build Long-Lasting Google Rankings.

    2. Thin Content

    Short, shallow blogs may fill up your site but they will not impress Google or your readers.

    Better: Write blogs that go deep into a topic. Aim for 1200–1500 words with real insights. If you need help, read my guide on From Blank Space to Page One: Crafting SEO-Friendly Blogs.

    3. Buying Backlinks

    Once upon a time, buying cheap backlinks was a quick win. Now it is a fast way to get penalized. Google’s algorithms are smarter than ever at spotting manipulative link-building.

    Better: Earn backlinks naturally with guest posting, case studies, or original research that others want to reference.

    4. Ignoring Mobile Experience

    Mobile-first indexing has been around for years, yet some websites are still not mobile-friendly. In India and the UK, where most users search on mobile, this is a huge mistake.

    Better: Use responsive layouts built for smaller screens. My post Master Responsive Design in 2025 with CSS Subgrid & Fluid Containers shows how to create modern, adaptable designs.

    What to Step Up

    If you want your site to stand tall, these are the strategies to double down on.

    1. Voice Search Optimization

    Voice search is growing fast. People are asking questions out loud instead of typing.

    Step Up: Optimize for conversational queries with FAQs and local keywords. My blog Speak Now: Voice Search SEO and the Future of Digital Marketing explains how to adapt.

    2. AI in SEO

    Artificial intelligence is no longer optional. From keyword research to on-page optimization, AI is shaping the way we do SEO.

    Step Up: Use AI tools to speed up research and automate repetitive tasks, but keep creativity human. I explained this in AI in Web Development: Saving Time and Helping Us Focus on What Matters.

    3. Core Web Vitals and Performance

    Speed and stability are critical. If your site loads slowly or shifts as it loads, both users and Google will leave.

    Step Up: Audit your site with Google PageSpeed Insights. Compress images, enable caching, and use lightweight code. My blog Why Web Performance Matters and How to Make Your Site Faster (Swift-ly!) gives a step-by-step plan.

    4. Reputation and Trust Signals (E-E-A-T)

    Google values Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Your online reputation is now directly tied to rankings.

    Step Up: Encourage positive reviews, showcase expertise with blog posts, and use digital PR. For more, read Reputation and Rankings: Managing Your Online Presence Like a Pop Star.

    5. Content Clusters and Interlinking

    Google rewards sites that show topical depth. Instead of scattered blogs, build clusters around cornerstone posts.

    Step Up: Interlink your blogs into clusters. For example, The Archer’s Guide to Content Marketing: Aim Your Words to Convert connects naturally to SEO content and strategy.

    Regional SEO Nuances

    • India: SEO here is heavily driven by mobile searches and multilingual queries. Optimizing for voice and regional languages gives businesses an edge.
    • UK: The focus is more on authority and trust. Building reputation with consistent branding, reviews, and thought leadership is key.
    • Global: No matter where you operate, the principles of speed, trust, and value remain universal.

    Real-World Stories

    A client in India was publishing lots of short blogs stuffed with keywords. They thought more posts meant more rankings. We built a strategy around long-form, intent-based content and optimized for voice search. Within four months, their organic traffic increased by 70 percent.

    In the UK, a client had ignored Core Web Vitals. Their site looked good on desktop but was slow on mobile. After fixing performance issues, cleaning up code, and adding structured data, they regained their rankings and improved conversions.

    A US-based startup focused on backlinks but ignored user intent. By shifting to a content cluster strategy and speeding up their site, they began ranking for competitive terms within six months.

    Conclusion: The Future of SEO is Balance

    SEO in 2025 is about balance. Shake off outdated tactics like keyword stuffing, thin content, and manipulative backlinks. Step up strategies that align with how people actually search today: conversational queries, AI-driven insights, faster websites, stronger reputations, and connected content clusters.

    Taylor’s Shake It Off reminds us not to waste energy on what holds us back. The same applies here. Drop what is outdated, step into the future, and your website will keep dancing on Google’s first page.

    Ready to step into the future of SEO?

    I help businesses in India, the UK, and worldwide shake off outdated tactics and step up strategies that actually work. Explore my SEO and digital marketing services and let us build a plan that keeps your site visible today and tomorrow.

  • From Blank Space to Page One: Crafting SEO-Friendly Blogs

     

    Taylor once sang, “I’ll write your name.” For many businesses, the challenge is not writing itself but writing in a way that Google actually notices. You can spend hours filling up a blank page, but unless your content is optimized for search, it may never reach your audience.

    That is where SEO-friendly blogging comes in. Blogs are more than words on a page. They are powerful tools that bring consistent traffic, establish your expertise, and convert readers into clients.

    For context, I am Shrikant Bodke, a web developer and digital marketer with six years of experience helping brands in India and the UK climb Google rankings. I have worked on small business websites as well as enterprise SEO strategies, and one thing has always been clear: blogging done right is still one of the most reliable ways to rank on Google.

    Let us explore how you can take your blog from a blank space to page one.

    Why Blogs Still Matter in 2025

    Some people believe blogs are outdated in the age of reels, shorts, and AI-generated content. The truth is, blogs remain a central part of search. Here is why:

    • Blogs target long-tail keywords that people actually search for.
    • They position you as a trusted voice in your niche.
    • They create opportunities for internal linking across your site.
    • Blogs add a steady flow of content, which Google rewards.
    • They provide material you can repurpose for social media, newsletters, or videos.

    I have seen this play out in real projects. On one client site, we started publishing two long-form blogs every week. Within three months, traffic doubled. Even now, those same blogs bring in leads because they were built to last.

    If you want to understand how blogs connect to the bigger SEO picture, I recommend reading my post on building long-lasting Google rankings.

    And since AI is reshaping how we create, tools like ChatGPT are making it faster to brainstorm, outline, and draft. I wrote about this in AI in Web Development: Saving Time and Helping Us Focus on What Matters, where I explained how automation can free us to focus on strategy instead of repetitive tasks.

    Start With Keyword Research

    Strong blogs start with strong keywords. Do not just chase what looks popular. Go after what your audience is actually searching for.

    Here is a simple process:

    1. Brainstorm seed topics based on the problems your audience faces. For example, “Why is my site not ranking?” or “How do I make my WordPress site faster?”
    2. Use SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest to expand those ideas with search volume and competition data.
    3. Focus on search intent. If someone types “SEO blog examples”, they want to learn. If they type “hire SEO blog writer India”, they are ready to buy.
    4. Balance difficulty with opportunity. Competing with giants like HubSpot on generic keywords will not work. Focus on long-tail searches where you can stand out.

    📌 Example: Instead of only writing for content writing services, aim for best SEO blog writing services in India or how to optimize blogs for UK audiences.

    Craft Titles That Rank and Engage

    A blog title is your first impression. It determines if readers click or scroll past.

    • Place the primary keyword early in the title.
    • Keep it clear and direct.
    • Add a hook or benefit to make it stand out.

    Compare:
    ❌ “Writing That Shines”
    ✅ “How to Write SEO-Friendly Blogs That Rank on Google”

    Taylor’s song titles are short, simple, and memorable. Think of Love Story, Style, or Enchanted. That is exactly how your titles should feel.

    Structure Your Blog Like a Journey

    Nobody enjoys reading an unbroken wall of text. Both Google and readers prefer structured writing.

    Here is an effective blog format:

    • Introduction: Hook, context, and promise.
    • Body: Organized into clear H2s and H3s. Each section should answer one question.
    • Examples: Real-world cases or insights.
    • Conclusion: Wrap-up and call to action.

    Formatting tips:

    • Use short paragraphs.
    • Add bullet points and lists.
    • Include images with proper alt text.

    For more insights, visit Google Search Central’s guide on creating helpful content.

    Write for People First and Then Optimize for Google

    Write naturally first, then optimize after. Over-optimizing makes content unreadable and hurts trust.

    Best practices:

    • Place the main keyword within the first 100 words.
    • Use natural variations of the keyword throughout.
    • Add internal links to related posts like SEO and content writing services.
    • Reference trusted sources such as Search Engine Journal.
    • End with a clear call to action.

    👉 Example CTA: “Need help optimizing your blogs? Explore my content writing services and let us create content that ranks.”

    Why Long-Form Content Wins

    Short blogs can work for quick updates, but when it comes to ranking, long-form content almost always performs better.

    Reasons include:

    • They allow in-depth coverage of a topic.
    • Google sees them as more authoritative.
    • They naturally cover a wider range of related terms.
    • They earn backlinks because they are seen as valuable resources.

    Aim for 1200 to 1500 words for most blogs. For in-depth guides, going over 2000 words is fine.

    I have seen this in practice. When we expanded client blogs to over 1200 words, the bounce rate went down and time on page went up. Google noticed, and rankings improved.

    If you are interested in how AI is making it easier to create long-form content without losing quality, check out How AI Tools Are Transforming Software Development. While that article focuses on developers, the same lessons apply to content creators.

    Build Authority With Internal Links

    Internal linking is one of the simplest but most powerful SEO tactics. It connects content and spreads authority across your site.

    For example:

    Promote Your Blog After Publishing

    Publishing is just the beginning. Promotion is what brings readers in.

    Ways to promote:

    • Share on LinkedIn with key takeaways.
    • Post highlights on Instagram or Twitter.
    • Send the blog to your email subscribers.
    • Repurpose sections into videos or carousels.
    • Pitch it for backlinks on related sites.

    Taylor does not just release an album and stay quiet. She promotes across channels, builds anticipation, and engages her audience. That is exactly how you should treat your blogs.

    Conclusion: From Blank Space to Page One

    Turning a blank page into a blog that ranks requires effort, but the payoff is worth it. With the right keywords, engaging titles, thoughtful structure, and long-form depth, you can write blogs that both Google and your readers value.

    If you ever wonder whether blogging still matters, remember this: Google’s index is like Taylor’s discography. It grows every day, but only the work that resonates truly stands out.

    Your goal is to make sure your blog belongs in that playlist and that readers keep hitting replay.