Search engine optimisation (SEO) can be a game-changer for getting eyes on your skincare brand content in the SERPS (search engine results page).
But SEO can feel like a beast, right? 😱
Trust me, I get it. I've worked with many small skincare brands over the years, and I've seen where SEO gets neglected.
Which isn't surprising - SEO can sometimes feel as complex as a 10-step Korean skincare routine!
If you're new to this, you might want to first check out my beginner's guide, SEO Blog Writing 101 for Skincare Brands: A Beginner's Guide, where I've laid down the basics for you.
In this article, we're going to tackle On-Page SEO, focusing on meta descriptions, URL structures, and alt image descriptions. break it down into bite-sized, easy-to-understand pieces.
These are common stumbling blocks for smaller brands, but guess what? They're actually super straightforward to fix!
So, lets dive in..
Meta Descriptions
What They Are:
A meta description is a brief summary that appears below your website's URL in search engine results. It gives users an idea of what to expect when they click through to your site.
Although meta descriptions don't directly influence your website's ranking, they have a significant impact on click-through rates (CTR).
Why They Matter
Think of meta descriptions as the "elevator pitch" for your blog post or skincare web page.
A compelling meta description can entice the user to click on your link instead of your competitors'.
This increased CTR can indirectly boost your SEO by signaling to search engines that your content is valuable.
Best Practices
Character Count: Keep it between 50-160 characters for optimal display.
Keyword Inclusion: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally.
Call to Action: Encourage clicks with a call to action (e.g., "Learn more," "Discover," "Get started").
Relevance: Make sure it accurately represents the content on the page.
✅ Example of a Good Meta Description
"Discover the life-changing benefits of organic skincare products. Learn how natural ingredients can improve your skin's health. Click to read more!"
Character Count: 113 characters (within the 50-160 range)
Keyword Inclusion: "Benefits of Organic Skincare Products," "natural ingredients," "skin's health."
Call to Action: "Click to read more!"
Relevance: Accurately represents the content about the benefits of organic skincare.
URL Structure
What It Is
The URL structure is the format of your web address. A clean URL is not just user-friendly; it also helps search engines to understand what your page is about.
Why It Matters
URLs are one of the first elements that both search engines and users encounter. A clear and descriptive URL can contribute to a higher ranking in search engines and better user understanding.
Best Practices
Short and Simple: Limit the URL to around 50-60 characters.
Keyword-Rich: Include relevant keywords without stuffing.
Hyphens Over Underscores: Use hyphens (-) rather than underscores (_) to separate words.
Avoid Special Characters: Stick to alphanumeric characters for simplicity and readability.
✅ Example of a Good URL Structure
https://www.yoursite.com/benefits-of-organic-skincare-products
Short and Simple: The URL is 57 characters long, falling within the 50-60 character guideline.
Keyword-Rich: The URL contains the relevant keyword "benefits-of-organic-skincare-products."
Hyphens Over Underscores: Hyphens are used to separate the words, making it easier for search engines to understand.
Avoid Special Characters: The URL uses only alphanumeric characters and hyphens, making it simple and readable.
Alt Image Descriptions (Alt Text)
What They Are
Alt text is a textual description that you add to the HTML code of an image on your website. This text will appear in place of the image if it fails to load and is read aloud by screen readers for the visually impaired.
Why They Matter
Alt text is critical for accessibility and improves the SEO of your website by giving search engines context about the image, thereby increasing the likelihood of your images appearing in search engine results.
Best Practices
Be Descriptive: Clearly describe the image within 125 characters.
Use Keywords Sparingly: Incorporate relevant keywords, but don't force them.
Avoid "Image of" or "Picture of": Screen readers already announce the image, so be more specific about what it contains.
Context Matters: The alt text should fit within the content of the page.
✅ Example of a Good Alt Text Description
"Woman applying organic facial cream to enhance skin health"
Be Descriptive: The alt text provides a clear description of the image, mentioning both the action ("applying") and the object ("organic facial cream").
Use Keywords Sparingly: "organic facial cream" and "skin health" are relevant keywords that are naturally incorporated.
Avoid "Image of" or "Picture of": The description gets straight to the point without using redundant phrases like "Image of."
Context Matters: This alt text fits within the likely content of the page, which could be about organic skincare.
And there you have it—three seemingly minor but incredibly effective On-Page SEO tactics to help you win favour with Google😊
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Hello👋 I'm Elesha, The Skincare Writer.
I've created content for skincare brands since 2017 helping busy brand owners stay on top of their content creation.
My services include blog articles, email copy, social media captions, skincare product descriptions, and content strategy.
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