How to write SEO-optimized articles on WordPress and Blogger

Blogging is becoming a popular and increasingly attractive way to earn passive income. You can easily find people calling themselves bloggers – and you could absolutely become one! If you want to share your knowledge, personal opinions, or simply start your professional blogging journey, then this article is for you.

In this guide, you'll learn how to create a blog and start writing SEO-optimized content , from basic to advanced levels, on the two most popular platforms today: WordPress and Blogger . Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to improve your blog's ranking on Google, the knowledge below will help you build a blog that attracts readers and is SEO-friendly step-by-step.

A quick guide to getting started with blogging.

Blogging isn't difficult, you just need to start the right way. Here are some simple, easy-to-understand steps to help you effectively launch your first blog:

1. Identify the topic you enjoy.

Think about the things you are passionate about or knowledgeable about – from cooking, travel, beauty to technology, education...

2. Avoid writing about sensitive topics.

Avoid controversial, offensive, or illegal content such as fake news, incitement, etc.

3. Clarify the purpose of blogging.

Are you blogging to share experiences, build your personal brand, make money, or simply because it's a hobby? This will guide how you write and develop your content.

4. Check out blogs on the same topic.

Observe how others present, share content, and interact with their audience. You'll learn many useful things.

5. Brainstorm ideas for the blog name and design.

Choose a memorable name that reflects the blog's content. Design a user-friendly interface that's easy to read and matches your style.

6. Create a blog on a reputable platform.

You can start with free platforms like WordPress or Blogger – they're easy to use and suitable for beginners.

7. Promote your blog on social media.

Share your articles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc., to reach more people and attract loyal readers.

Part 1: Choosing a SEO-friendly blog topic: A guide to identifying a niche topic

Step 1: Determine the topic for your blog.

Before you start blogging, you need to determine what you want to write about. This is called your blog's niche . The topic can be very diverse – depending on your personal interests.

Here are some popular suggestions for your reference:

• Games: Share your gaming experiences, review new games, get helpful tips...

• Fashion: Trend updates, outfit ideas, and fashion product reviews.

• Politics/Society/Community Action: Expressing opinions, analyzing, and sharing insights on current social issues.

• Cuisine/Cooking: Cooking guides, restaurant reviews, recipe sharing.

• Travel: Destination suggestions, budget-friendly travel tips, and personal travel experiences.

• Business/Entrepreneurship: Writing about startups, management experience, and market analysis.

Step 2: Things you shouldn't write on your blog

When blogging, not everything can be shared. Here are some things you should avoid to protect yourself and keep your blog safe and healthy:

1. Personal or private information:

• Avoid disclosing sensitive information about yourself or others (e.g., address, phone number, personal accounts...).

• If it's something you don't want to share with family, then you shouldn't post it on your blog.

2. Controversial content:

• Writing sensitive or controversial content might give you temporary attention, but it can also easily lead to attacks, criticism, and even jeopardize your personal safety.

3. Breach of Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA):

• If your job requires you to sign a confidentiality agreement, absolutely do not share any content related to the company, projects, or information protected under the agreement.

4. Writing about other people disrespectfully:

• You can tell stories and express your opinions about others, but you must not insult, defame, or discriminate against them.

• Remember that those people can read this and may react in an undesirable way.

Step 3: Determine your blogging purpose.

Choosing a blog topic is the first step, but for your blog to thrive, you need to clearly define your blogging purpose. Here are some common reasons to help you better orient your content:

1. Sharing knowledge:

• Suitable for tutorial blogs, teaching skills (e.g., DIY projects, language learning, cooking...).

2. Document your personal journey:

• Suitable for travel blogs, fitness blogs, lifestyle change blogs, etc.

3. To entertain the reader:

• Suitable for humorous content, short stories, fan fiction, creative videos, etc.

4. Call to action:

• Often used by business or organization blogs to promote, attract customers, or solicit support.

5. Inspire others:

• It helps readers feel more positive and motivated. It can be combined with other purposes.

6. Raising awareness:

• Suitable for news blogs or sharing information about social issues, the environment, public health, etc.

Step 4: Refer to other blogs for inspiration, but do not copy.

Once you've chosen a topic and goals for your blog, the next step is to learn how other blogs in the same field operate. This helps you learn how they attract readers and develop effective content.

1. Research blogs with similar topics or styles:

• Find prominent blogs in your niche to see what they write, how they present their content, and how they interact with their readers.

• Pay attention to the writing style, presentation, page layout, etc., to learn from and apply them appropriately to your blog.

2. Absolutely no copying:

• Even if you really like a particular blog, don't copy its content or writing style exactly.

• You could be found guilty of plagiarism – this can seriously damage your personal reputation and your blog.

3. Be inspired – don't just copy:

• Learning is good, but develop your content in your own way. Originality is what makes a blog special and memorable.

Step 5: Come up with a name and design for your blog.

Before you start creating a blog, you need to prepare these two important elements:

1. Name your blog:

• Choose a name you feel confident sharing with others.

• The blog name can incorporate your hobbies, the blog's content, or a personal nickname.

• Make sure your blog name is correct:

  • Easy to remember

  • Unique

  • Accurately reflect the spirit or content of what you wrote.

2. Visualize the blog design:

• You don't need to be a professional designer, but you should have a basic idea of:

  • Dominant color scheme (e.g., bright, minimalist, vintage…)

  • The font style you want to use (formal, youthful, creative...)

• This will help you choose a more suitable template when creating your blog.

Step 6: Create a blog on a reputable platform.

Once you have a clear idea, you can start creating a blog on a reliable platform. Some popular platforms include:

• WordPress

• Blogger

• Tumblr

You can also choose other platforms depending on your preference, as long as they are widely used and easy to operate.

The steps to create a blog are usually as follows:

1. Access the website of your chosen platform on your computer.

2. Create a new account – it's recommended to start with a free plan to try it out.

3. Name your blog and choose the page address (URL) you want.

4. Choose a layout template and fill in any other necessary information as required by the platform.

Step 7: Promote your blog on social media

After you've created your blog and posted your first few articles, don't forget to promote it to attract readers. One effective way is to use social media platforms.

Simple ways to promote your blog:

1. Share your blog link on popular social media platforms such as:

   • Facebook

   • Twitter (X)

   • Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok (if relevant to your blog content)

2. Include your blog address in your profile bio or in the "Website" section if you have one.

Step 8: Optimize keywords so your blog is easily found.

Want your blog to be found by more people on Google or other search engines? You need to use keywords effectively.

What are keywords?
These are words or phrases related to blog content that users commonly search for online.

How to find suitable keywords:

• Use free tools such as:
  Ubersuggest – neilpatel.com/ubersuggest
  Keyword Tool – keywordtool.io

• These tools will suggest the most searched keywords related to your blog's topic.

Tips for using keywords effectively:

1. Use keywords naturally in the title, introduction, or main body – avoid stuffing them in, which can make the article difficult to read.

2. Check your keywords every time you write a new article, as search trends can change over time.

Step 9: Get your blog listed on Google so it's easier to find.

To get your blog to appear on Google when users search for related keywords, you need to ensure your blog has been indexed by Google.

What is indexing?
This is the process by which Google "recognizes" your blog and adds it to its search database. Once your blog is indexed, your content has a chance of appearing in search results.

How to get your blog indexed by Google:

1. Create a Google Search Console account

   • Visit https://search.google.com/search-console

   • Add your blog (paste blog URL)

2. Submit sitemap

   • If you use WordPress, you can install a plugin like Yoast SEO to automatically generate a sitemap.

   • Paste your sitemap link into Google Search Console so Google can easily read and update your blog content.

3. Content is updated regularly.

   • Blogs that are regularly updated will be highly valued by Google and given higher priority in search results.

Step 10: Add images to your blog post to make it more engaging.

Images not only make your posts more engaging but also increase your blog's chances of appearing on Google.

Why should you use images in your blog?

1. Good for SEO (search engine optimization):

   • Search engines, like Google, prioritize articles with high-quality images.

2. Enhance the reader experience:

   • Readers find it easier to understand when an article includes illustrations.

   • Images make articles more visual, engaging, and easier to share.

3. The original photos are highly valuable:

   • If you use photos you've taken or designed yourself, your blog will have a big advantage – both with Google and your readers.

Notes on using images:

• Choose clear images that are relevant to the content.

• Optimize your images by giving them appropriate file names and adding alt tags (brief descriptions) to help search engines understand what the images are about.

Step 11: Post regularly to retain readers and increase traffic.

One of the most important ways to help your blog grow is to consistently post new content.

Why is it important to post regularly?

• If you stop posting for long periods or post irregularly, your blog will quickly lose readers.

• Fresh content helps blogs consistently appear near the top of Google search results.

Advice on posting schedules:

• Make it a habit to post at least one article per week and try to maintain a regular schedule.

• If there is any delay in publishing, please briefly announce it on social media so that readers are aware.

Expert tip:
Use RSS feeds to send new posts directly to your loyal followers. While not as popular as it once was, RSS still helps you reach your audience without being filtered through social media or overloaded email. Don't forget to share your blog's RSS feed in your posts and social media bios!

Part 2: Warning! 7 Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Blogging

Step 1: How to get started creating a blog on WordPress

To start blogging on WordPress, follow these simple steps:

1. Open a web browser on your computer.

2. Access the WordPress homepage: https://wordpress.com/

Step 2: Start creating your blog on WordPress

After accessing wordpress.com , proceed as follows:

1. Look at the top right corner of the screen.

2. Click the “Get Started” button.

Step 3: Fill in the information to create a blog on WordPress.

When creating a blog on WordPress, you'll see a form to fill out. Follow these instructions:

1. What is the name of your blog?

   • Enter the name of your chosen blog in this box.

2. What is your blog about?

   • Type a relevant keyword (e.g., travel, food, fashion) and then select the appropriate category from the list that appears.

3. What is the main goal of your blog?

   • Similarly, enter a keyword related to the blog's purpose (e.g., educate, entertain) and select the appropriate category.

4. How do you feel about creating a website?

   • Choose a number from 1 to 5 to rate your comfort level when building websites (1 = beginner, 5 = very proficient).

Step 4: Continue creating your blog on WordPress

After filling out the blog creation form, proceed to the following step:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

2. Click the “Continue” button.

Step 5: Choose a URL for your blog.

At this step, you need to enter the web address (URL) for your blog:

1. In the top box, enter the name you want to use as your blog address.

2. Note: You only need to enter the name part (e.g., “khoidaublog”), no need to add “www” or “.com”.

3. WordPress will automatically generate a complete address for you, like this:
   khoidaublog.wordpress.com

Step 6: Choose a free plan for your blog.

After entering the URL for your blog, you will see the available service packages.

1. Look for the item labeled " Free," usually located right below the address input field.

2. Click the “Select” button next to this free package.

Step 7: Start with the free WordPress plan

After selecting the free plan, proceed with the following steps:

1. Look for the “Start with Free” button, usually located on the left side of the screen.

2. Click that button to go to the account creation page.

Step 8: Enter your email address to create an account.

When creating an account on WordPress, you need to provide an email address to register:

1. In the "Your email address" field, enter the email address you want to use to create your account.

2. Make sure the email address you're using is active and accessible, as WordPress will send notifications there.

Step 9: Set a password for your WordPress account.

Next, you need to create a password for your account:

1. In the "Choose a password" field, enter the password you want to use.

2. For better security, choose a strong password that includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Step 10: Continue creating an account on WordPress

After entering your email and password, proceed to the following step:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

2. Click the blue "Continue" button.

Step 11: Confirm your email to complete your WordPress registration.

To activate your WordPress account, you need to confirm your email as follows:

1. Open the inbox of the email address you used to register for WordPress in a new browser tab.

2. Find and open the email with the subject line “Activate [your blog name]” from WordPress .

3. In the email, click on the "Click here to Confirm Now" link to confirm your account.

4. Once the confirmation page has finished opening, you can close that tab.

Step 12: Continue after email confirmation

After confirming your email, return to the original tab where you created your WordPress account and continue:

1. Find the “Continue” button in the middle of the page.

2. Click that button to complete the registration process and access the blog management page.

Step 13: Choose a theme for your blog.

The theme determines how your blog appears to readers. To choose a theme, follow these steps:

1. Scroll down to the “Customize” section.

2. Click on “Themes” .

3. Browse and choose the interface you like.

4. If you want to see only the free interface, click the "Free" button in the upper right corner.

5. Once you've chosen your preferred design, click "Activate this design" at the top of the page.

Step 14: Start writing blog posts

Once you've set everything up, you can create your first post by:

1. Look at the top right corner of the screen.

2. Click the “Write” button.

3. A blog post editor window will appear, where you can start typing content for your blog.

Part 3: The success of a blog depends on this

Step 1: Start creating a blog on Blogger

To start blogging on Blogger, follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser on your computer.

2. Access the Blogger homepage at: https://www.blogger.com/

Step 2: Log in to Blogger

After accessing Blogger.com , proceed as follows:

1. Look at the top right corner of the screen.

2. Click the “SIGN IN” button.

Step 3: Log in using your Google account

To log in to Blogger, follow these steps:

1. Enter your email address in the required field.

2. Press “Next” .

3. Enter your password and press “Next” again.

Note:
If you don't already have a Google account, please create one before continuing.

Step 4: Create a Google+ profile to use with Blogger.

If you don't already have a Google+ profile, follow these instructions:

1. Look for the blue button that says "Create a Google+ profile" .

2. Tap that button, usually located on the left side of the screen.

Step 5: Enter your full name to create a Google+ profile.

In the Google+ profile creation step, you need to enter your full name:

1. In the boxes at the top of the page, enter your first and last name .

2. Please use your real name or the name you want to display on your blog.

Step 6: Choose a gender for your Google+ profile.

Next, you need to choose a gender for your profile:

1. Click on the gender selection box (drop-down box).

2. Choose the gender you want to display on your blog.

Step 7: Complete creating your Google+ profile

After entering your name and selecting your gender, proceed as follows:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

2. Click the “CREATE PROFILE” button.

Step 8: Add a profile picture to your Google+ profile.

You can add a profile picture to your profile by:

1. Tap on the current photo (or photo icon).

2. Select “Upload a photo” when prompted.

3. Find and double-click the image you want to use on your computer.

4. Press “SAVE” to complete.

Alternative option: If you don't want to add photos yet, you can click "SKIP" below this section to do so later.

Step 9: Continue to Blogger

After you have finished creating your Google+ profile, do the following:

1. Scroll down near the bottom of the page.

2. Click the “Continue to Blogger” button.

Step 10: Create a new blog on Blogger

To start a new blog on Blogger, follow these steps:

1. In the middle of the page, find and click the "CREATE NEW BLOG" button.

Step 11: Enter a title for your blog.

When creating a new blog, enter the name you want to use in the "Title" field.

Step 12: Choose a URL for your blog.

At this step, you will choose a web address for your blog:

1. Enter the address you want to use in the “Address” field.

2. When a list of suggestions appears below the box, select the appropriate address.

3. If Google says the address is already in use, you need to try a different address until you find one that works.

Step 13: Choose a theme for your blog.

The theme will determine the appearance and style of your blog.

1. In the "Theme" list, click to select a theme you like.

2. This interface will affect the colors, fonts, and layout of the blog.

Step 14: Complete blog creation

After selecting a template and filling in the information, proceed as follows:

1. Scroll down to the bottom of the window.

2. Click the “Create blog!” button.

Step 15: Skip the additional service registration step.

When asked if they wanted to subscribe to additional services:

1. Click on “No thanks” .

2. You will be taken directly to the blog's dashboard.

Step 16: Start writing blog posts

To create a new blog post, follow these steps:

1. Click on “New post” at the top of the page.

2. The blog post editor window will appear, and you can start writing content for your blog.

Author: Melissa Newman .