Why is Link Building so Important

Introduction As SEO has evolved over the years, so has its starting point: keyword research. In the early days, keyword research was all about chasing the highest-volume terms and stuffing them into your content. But today, success in SEO means understanding the human intent behind those searches. Human-first keyword research focuses on solving real problems, using authentic language, and offering valuable context that truly serves your audience. Not sure where to start? Let’s walk through how to create keyword research that’s built for humans first, algorithms second. Understand Your Audience First Like any successful business strategy, SEO starts with understanding your audience. Before diving into keyword tools, take the time to define your customer personas,  who they are, what they care about, and what problems they’re trying to solve. Once you’ve identified your target audience, map out their pain points and motivations. For example, you might have a small business owner who doesn’t understand SEO, lacks an in-house team, and has a limited budget. That person might search for phrases like “affordable SEO,” “local SEO agency,” or “cheap SEO packages.” Use surveys, customer interviews, and online communities like Reddit or Quora to uncover how your audience actually talks about their challenges. Their language often reveals the best keywords. Shift from Keywords to Topics Modern SEO isn’t about isolated keywords, it’s about topical depth. Google’s algorithms now reward comprehensive content that explores an entire subject area. For example, if you’re offering guest posting services (like we do at Bubble SEO), you might also target related terms such as “content marketing,” “link building,” and “affordable backlinks.” These connected keywords build topic authority and help Google understand your site’s expertise. To organise this, create a topical map; a visual representation of your main topic (e.g., SEO) surrounded by related clusters (content strategy, backlinks, keyword research, etc.). This approach expands your reach and makes your site more relevant to a wider audience. Gather Keyword Ideas with Empathy Empathy is one of the most underrated tools in keyword research. Instead of guessing what people search for, listen to how they ask questions and express frustration. Use tools like: Google Autocomplete: Type your seed keyword (e.g., “SEO”) and see what suggestions appear. Reddit, Quora, and niche forums: Great for uncovering natural phrasing and trending topics. If your business is customer-facing, listen to support calls, emails, or chat logs. Real customer language can inspire highly specific, long-tail keywords like “how to improve local SEO” or “why backlinks are important.” Since Google’s Helpful Content System now prioritises user-focused results, these question-based keywords are more valuable than ever. Balance Data with Human Judgment While empathy drives creativity, data validates it. Every keyword you target should have measurable search demand and achievable competition. Check metrics like: Search volume Keyword difficulty or competition score Click potential You can use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to evaluate your options. Not every high-volume keyword is worth pursuing. If a term doesn’t match your audience’s needs or intent, it can drive the wrong traffic, or none at all. Prioritise relevance and conversion potential over vanity metrics. Analyse Search Intent & Context Every search has a purpose, and understanding that purpose is essential. Search intent typically falls into three main categories: Informational – Learning something (e.g., “importance of content length in SEO”) Transactional – Buying or signing up (e.g., “buy guest post”) Navigational – Finding a specific brand or page (e.g., “Bubble SEO contact us”) A healthy SEO strategy includes a mix of all three. Match your content format to intent: Informational → Blog posts, guides, tutorials Transactional → Service pages, product pages, offers Navigational → Optimised homepage and contact pages Validate Before You Create Before investing time into content creation, validate your keyword choices. Simply search your target terms in Google and ask yourself: Do the results match what my audience would expect? Are the top-ranking pages similar to what I plan to publish? Would I be proud to see my content among them? If the results don’t align with your goals or audience, it may be worth rethinking your keyword focus. A quick competitor analysis can help you gauge difficulty and opportunity. Keep Iterating & Evolving SEO isn’t static, it’s a living process. Keywords rise and fall in popularity, algorithms shift, and user behavior changes constantly. Regularly review your keyword performance: Is this term still driving traffic? Has search volume increased or dropped? Are rankings becoming harder to maintain? If you notice shifts, adapt quickly. Revisit your keyword strategy, refresh outdated content, and look for new opportunities. Tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs Site Explorer can help track keyword trends over time. Conclusion Keyword research can be time-consuming, but it’s one of the most valuable investments you can make for your business. When done with humans in mind, not search engines, it leads to stronger engagement, better content, and higher long-term rankings. Remember: SEO isn’t linear. You’ll test, fail, learn, and adapt along the way. Keep your focus on solving real problems for real people, and the rankings will follow.

From past success of guest blogging, we are aware that there are lots of

Having a well-crafted website is essential for any business, big or small. For small businesses, particularly your website acts as your digital storefront, helping you attract and engage potential customers. But creating content that speaks to your audience while also supporting your business goals? That’s where many business owners struggle. To make things easier, we’ve put together 10 practical tips to help you write website content that’s engaging, clear, and optimised to drive results. 1. Understand Your Audience Before you start writing, take a step back and think about who you’re speaking to. Your website content should be tailored to your ideal customer—what they need, what challenges they face, and how your business can help. Consider asking yourself: Who is my ideal customer? What problems are they looking to solve? What kind of language or tone resonates with them? Once you have these insights, your content will feel more natural, relatable, and persuasive. 2. Keep It Clear & Simple People visit websites for quick, useful information—not lengthy, complicated text. Use straightforward language and break up content into easily digestible sections. Some best practices include: Writing short, easy-to-read sentences Using clear headings and subheadings Incorporating bullet points or numbered lists to highlight key points If someone lands on your site, they should understand what you offer and how it benefits them within seconds. 3. Use a Conversational Tone Small businesses thrive on personal connections, so your website content should reflect that. Instead of formal, robotic language, aim for a warm, engaging tone that makes visitors feel welcome. For example, instead of: “Our services aim to improve business operations.” Try: “We’re here to help you run your business more efficiently so you can focus on what you do best.” A friendly, approachable tone makes your brand feel more human. 4. Focus on Benefits, Not Just Features Customers don’t just want to know what you offer—they want to know why it matters to them. Instead of simply listing features, highlight the benefits. Example: Feature: “We offer next-day delivery.” Benefit: “Get your order delivered fast, so you can start using it right away!” By shifting the focus to how your product or service solves a problem, you’ll create more compelling content. 5. Optimise for SEO Without Overdoing It Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) helps your website rank higher on Google, making it easier for potential customers to find you. However, stuffing your content with keywords can make it sound unnatural. Instead, focus on: Naturally incorporating relevant keywords into your titles, headings, and first 100 words Writing compelling meta descriptions Using alt text for images Adding internal and external links where appropriate A well-planned SEO content strategy ensures your website reaches the right audience while maintaining readability. Many businesses also invest in SEO content services to improve their rankings and attract organic traffic. For expert guidance, check out Moz’s SEO Beginner’s Guide. 6. Include Strong Calls to Action (CTAs) Your website should guide visitors toward a specific action—whether it’s making a purchase, booking a consultation, or signing up for a newsletter. Examples of strong CTAs: “Get your free quote today!” “Sign up now for exclusive offers!” “Book a call with us—we’d love to chat!” Make sure your CTAs are clear, compelling, and easy to find. For more guidance on effective CTAs, visit HubSpot’s CTA Best Practices. 7. Share Your Brand Story People love stories, and sharing yours helps build trust with your audience. Whether it’s how your business started, what you stand for, or the passion behind what you do—your brand story can make you more relatable and memorable. For example, instead of just saying, “We sell handmade candles,” you could share: “We started our candle-making journey in a small kitchen, inspired by a love for natural scents and eco-friendly products. Today, we hand-pour each candle with care, ensuring a toxin-free experience for our customers.” This personal touch can make all the difference in building customer loyalty. 8. Craft Compelling Headlines Your headlines should immediately capture attention and encourage visitors to keep reading. To make your headlines stand out: Keep them clear and concise Highlight the benefit to the reader Use engaging words like “easy,” “ultimate,” “best,” or “proven” For example: “The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Small Business” “Get Fast, Reliable Shipping—Order Today & Save 20%!” A strong headline can make the difference between a visitor staying or clicking away. Need help crafting attention-grabbing headlines? Check out Copyblogger’s Guide to Writing Headlines. 9. Leverage Social Proof People trust recommendations more than advertisements. Incorporating social proof—like customer testimonials, reviews, or case studies—can help build credibility. Ways to showcase social proof: Highlight positive customer testimonials Share success stories and case studies Display logos of trusted partners or media mentions When potential customers see that others have had a great experience with your business, they’ll feel more confident in choosing you. For more on how social proof influences conversions, read Neil Patel’s Guide to Social Proof. 10. Keep Your Content Fresh & Updated A website with outdated information can hurt your credibility. Regularly updating your content ensures that visitors always find relevant, up-to-date information. Make it a habit to: Refresh old blog posts with new insights Update product descriptions and service offerings Remove outdated information Not only does this keep visitors engaged, but it also signals to search engines that your site is active, which can boost your rankings. A well-maintained content marketing strategy includes regular updates, ensuring your site remains competitive in search results. Many small businesses turn to content marketing services for expert guidance on keeping their website relevant and engaging. For additional insights, check out Content Marketing Institute’s Strategy Guide. Final Thoughts Great website content isn’t just about filling up pages with words—it’s about crafting a message that resonates with your audience, builds trust, and drives action. By keeping things clear, conversational, and customer-focused, you can turn your website into a powerful tool for business growth. Keep refining your content, test what works best, and always prioritise providing value. If you're looking for expert support, investing in SEO content and content marketing services can help you develop a strong SEO content strategy that boosts traffic and conversions. Now it’s time to put these tips into action—happy writing!

SEO is the process of how your website becomes ranked above others in a search engine. With search engines like Google and Bing having...

Retail is always one step ahead and that doesn't just the physical stores

How to promote your guest blog?

Content marketing is the creation of information and content and how this can be shared across different formats

Making a guest post can be simple but finding the right website is important.

When you are running a small business, time is always in short supply. But that does not mean your blog content should be left untouched. With just 20 minutes, you can update an existing post and give it a powerful SEO lift. Whether your goal is to attract more organic traffic, improve engagement, or increase conversions, this quick checklist will help your content work harder for your business. 1. Start with a Smart Keyword Check Start by checking if your target keyword is still relevant. Search habits and trends evolve quickly, and what worked six months ago may no longer perform well. Use a quick Google search to review how competitive your target phrase is and see which competitors are currently ranking. You can also use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Trends to assess search volume and interest over time. Make sure your main keyword appears naturally in the title, within the first 100 words, and in at least one subheading. The key word here is "naturally." Avoid keyword stuffing, which can harm your rankings and diminish readability. 2. Refine Your Title Tag and Meta Description Your blog title may be engaging, but do not forget to check your metadata. The title tag and meta description help search engines understand your content and encourage users to click. Keep your title tag under 60 characters and include your primary keyword. Write a clear, benefit-driven meta description under 160 characters. Your meta description should accurately reflect the content and provide a reason to click. This also appears in search results and can affect your click-through rate. For best practice, refer to Google’s SEO Starter Guide. 3. Use Clear and Consistent Subheadings Subheadings improve readability and help search engines understand the structure of your content. Use H2 and H3 tags to break up your text and guide the reader through your message. Make sure your subheadings reflect your main themes and, where appropriate, include relevant keywords. This not only improves SEO but also makes your content more digestible for busy readers, especially those in fast-paced SME environments. 4. Add Internal Links Strategically Internal linking helps Google crawl your site more effectively and keeps visitors engaged for longer. Link to other relevant blog posts, service pages, or contact forms within your own site. Use descriptive anchor text. Instead of writing "click here," try "learn more about our SEO services" or "visit our contact page." This reinforces relevance and provides a better user experience. You can see a great example of this strategy on the Moz Beginner's Guide to SEO. 5. Optimise Image Sizes and Alt Text Slow-loading images can negatively affect both user experience and rankings. Use compressed image formats like WebP or JPEG and limit file sizes without sacrificing quality. Free tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh can help reduce image weight without a visible drop in resolution. In addition to compression, always add descriptive alt text. This helps with accessibility and provides another opportunity to include relevant keywords. 6. Format for Mobile and Readability Before you hit publish, check that your post looks good on mobile. Google prioritises mobile-first indexing, so a mobile-friendly layout is essential. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and plenty of white space to improve legibility. Test how it looks on both mobile and desktop to make sure formatting is consistent and easy to scan. 7. Hit Publish and Promote It Once your blog is optimised, go ahead and publish it. If it is an older post, consider updating the published date so it reflects the fresh edits. After publishing, promote your post through your usual marketing channels. This could include sharing it on LinkedIn, featuring it in your email newsletter, or repurposing parts into social media content. At BubbleSEO, we always recommend repurposing content into formats your audience prefers to consume. Final Thoughts Optimising a blog post does not have to be a time-consuming task. With just 20 minutes and a focused checklist, you can improve your post’s visibility, usability and impact. This process is especially valuable for small businesses that need to make the most of every piece of content. Bookmark this guide, refer back when refreshing old posts, and let your content continue to support your business goals.

Across the internet, there are countless websites all heading in different directions, but the crucial element that holds them together in this digital realm, is the anchor text.

Google is known for its constant algorithm updates, with the goal of improving the quality of search results and enhancing the user experience. In 2024, several significant updates have rolled out, impacting how websites are ranked and how marketers approach their SEO strategies. Below, we explore the key changes and what they mean for businesses and digital marketers. 1. Focus on Helpful Content: The "Helpful Content" Update One of Google's core focuses this year has been on promoting "helpful content". The Helpful Content Update prioritises pages that provide real value to users over those stuffed with keywords or created solely for ranking purposes. Google’s AI now does a better job of determining the true intent behind content, rewarding pages that genuinely address user needs. How to Adapt: Audience-Centric Content: Ensure your content addresses user queries comprehensively and prioritises providing answers or solutions rather than just boosting rankings. Remove Fluff: Thin, repetitive, or overly-optimised content can hurt your rankings. Focus on improving the depth and originality of your articles. User Satisfaction Signals: Pay attention to user engagement metrics, such as time on page and bounce rate, as these can indicate how "helpful" users find your content. 2. Enhanced E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness Google has added an extra "E" to E-A-T, now called "E-E-A-T"—"Experience." This addition means Google now considers whether content creators have first-hand experience on the topics they discuss. This change is particularly impactful in areas like health, finance, and other “Your Money, Your Life” (YMYL) niches. How to Adapt: Author Expertise: Ensure content is created or reviewed by individuals with direct experience or expertise in the field. Author Bios and Credibility: Include detailed author bios, qualifications, and links to credible sources that verify the author's expertise. First-Hand Accounts: Incorporate personal experiences, case studies, and testimonials into your content to demonstrate true experience. 3. Page Experience Update: Mobile-First and Core Web Vitals Google continues to push the importance of user experience with updates to its Page Experience metrics, especially emphasising mobile usability and Core Web Vitals. The Core Web Vitals include metrics such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), all of which measure the quality of a user’s interaction with your website. How to Adapt: Speed Optimisation: Optimise your website's loading speed, with particular focus on mobile devices. Stability and Responsiveness: Minimise layout shifts that might frustrate users, and ensure that interactive elements are highly responsive. Mobile-Friendly Design: Test your website across various devices and screen sizes to ensure a seamless mobile experience. 4. AI and Conversational Search: Integration of Generative AI Results Google has rolled out more integrations of generative AI and conversational search features into their search engine results. Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) aims to provide more interactive, AI-driven results that summarise complex queries in a conversational way. This impacts the traditional search result layout and the visibility of featured snippets. How to Adapt: Structured Data Usage: Ensure your website uses structured data to help Google understand your content better and make it more likely to be included in AI-generated responses. Conversational Content: Incorporate a natural, conversational tone into your content, anticipating longer, more complex queries that users might ask AI. Focus on Rich Answers: Create content that answers questions in a concise, authoritative manner to increase chances of being included in AI summaries or rich answers. 5. Spam and Link Quality Updates Recent updates have also focused on cracking down on spammy practices and low-quality link building. Google's SpamBrain AI is better at detecting manipulative link schemes and penalising websites involved in unnatural link practices. It’s clear that Google’s push for higher quality extends to off-page SEO as well. How to Adapt: High-Quality Backlinks: Focus on acquiring backlinks from reputable, relevant sources rather than quantity. Check out Ahrefs’ Guide to Quality Backlinks for strategies. Disavow Low-Quality Links: Regularly audit your backlink profile and disavow any links from spammy or irrelevant sites using the Google Disavow Tool. Avoid Link Manipulation: Avoid engaging in link exchanges, PBNs, or other tactics that could be flagged as manipulative. Conclusion: Staying Ahead of Google Updates Google’s recent updates underscore its commitment to improving user experience, content quality, and combatting spam. SEO professionals and content creators must adapt by prioritising helpful, experience-driven content, optimising user experience metrics, and focusing on high-quality, ethical link-building practices. Staying informed about these changes and continuously refining your SEO strategy are key to maintaining strong visibility in search results. Remember, Google's updates are ultimately aimed at rewarding websites that provide real value to users—so focus on creating the best possible experience for your audience, and you'll stay on the right side of these changes.

One of the most common goals within marketing is to rise through the ranks and be on page one of Google, Bing or Ask.com, but how is this achieved?