13 Steps to Creating SEO-Friendly Content (That Actually Ranks and Converts)

Let’s be honest—writing content is easy. But writing content that ranks and brings in traffic? That takes strategy.

You could write the best blog post in the world, but if no one finds it, it’s like building a billboard in the middle of a forest. At PinMySEO, I’ve worked with clients who used to publish weekly with zero SEO strategy—until we helped them fix their foundation. The result? More clicks, more leads, and more sales—without paid ads.

That’s the power of SEO-friendly content.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 13 exact steps to creating SEO content that Google loves—and readers actually enjoy. Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or content marketer, this process works.

Step 1: Start With Keyword Research (Not a Topic)

The biggest mistake? Writing what you want instead of what people are searching for.

Before drafting anything, find the keyword your content will target. Use tools like:

  • Ubersuggest
  • Google Keyword Planner
  • Keywords Everywhere
  • Ahrefs or SEMrush (for deeper analysis)

Look for keywords with:

  • Medium to high search volume
  • Low to moderate competition
  • High intent (meaning it solves a specific problem)

Example: Instead of writing “Tips to grow your site,” target “How to increase blog traffic organically”—a keyword that real people type into Google.

Step 2: Understand Search Intent

SEO is not just about keywords—it’s about intent.

Ask: Why is someone Googling this? What do they actually want?

There are typically 4 types of intent:

  • Informational: “How to start a blog”
  • Navigational: “Grammarly login”
  • Transactional: “Buy budget laptop online”
  • Commercial investigation: “Best budget laptops 2025”

If you’re targeting an informational keyword, don’t try to sell. Focus on value and education. Google rewards relevance.

At PinMySEO, we align each blog post with search intent first—before we touch a single sentence.

Step 3: Analyze What’s Already Ranking

Search your keyword and look at the top 10 Google results. Study:

  • Word count
  • Headings (H2s, H3s)
  • Content structure
  • Tone (casual? technical?)
  • Visuals used (images, infographics, video)

Your goal isn’t to copy—it’s to identify what Google already favors and then create something better.

Use the “Skyscraper” technique: take what’s working and make yours more helpful, updated, or comprehensive.

Step 4: Create an Outline That Matches User Flow

Once you know what’s ranking and what users want, build your outline.

Start with:

  • A compelling H1 (your title)
  • A strong introduction that shows you understand the reader’s problem
  • Subheadings (H2s and H3s) that break content into digestible chunks
  • A conclusion with actionable steps, summaries, or CTAs

Outline first. Write second.

Not only does this speed up your writing, it helps with UX—which also improves rankings.

Step 5: Write for Humans First, Google Second

Write in a tone that matches your audience. If you’re targeting new bloggers, be clear and casual. If you’re targeting tech professionals, be precise and structured.

Use:

  • Short paragraphs (2–4 lines)
  • Bullet points
  • Plain language
  • Examples or analogies
  • Bold/italics to highlight key points

Don’t keyword-stuff. Instead, use natural keyword placement in:

  • Title
  • First 100 words
  • H2s (when relevant)
  • Conclusion

At PinMySEO, we always remind clients—engagement metrics like time-on-page and bounce rate also impact SEO. If your content is robotic or hard to read, it won’t perform.

Step 6: Optimize Your Title Tag (H1)

Your title should be:

  • Clear, not clever
  • Include your main keyword
  • Speak directly to a benefit or pain point

Examples: ❌ “The Content Playbook No One Asked For”
✅ “13 Steps to Creating SEO-Friendly Content (That Ranks in 2025)”

Keep your title under 60 characters so it doesn’t get cut off in search.

Step 7: Craft an SEO Meta Description

Your meta description doesn’t affect rankings—but it does impact CTR.

Write a 150–160 character summary of your blog that:

  • Includes your keyword
  • Speaks to the user’s intent
  • Teases what they’ll learn

Example:

Want your content to rank on Google? Learn the 13 exact steps to creating SEO-friendly blog posts this year—with zero fluff.

Step 8: Use Headers Strategically (H2, H3, H4)

Header tags aren’t just for styling—they help Google understand your content hierarchy.

Follow this structure:

  • H1 – Title of the blog
  • H2s – Major sections or steps
  • H3s/H4s – Subpoints under those sections

Include keywords in headers when it makes sense—but avoid forcing them.

Headers also improve accessibility and make your content easier to scan (which Google likes).

Step 9: Add Internal and External Links

Google wants context and connection. So:

  • Link to other relevant pages on your own site (internal links)
  • Link to high-authority, trustworthy sites (external links)

Example of internal linking: If you mention Pinterest traffic strategies, link to your detailed guide or service page (like I do at PinMySEO).

Aim for:

  • 2–5 internal links per post
  • 2–3 external sources

Step 10: Optimize Images and Media

Visuals help break up text, improve time on page, and boost shareability.

Make sure every image:

  • Is compressed (TinyPNG, ShortPixel)
  • Has descriptive alt text (helps with image SEO + accessibility)
  • Uses file names with keywords, e.g., seo-friendly-content-example.jpg

Consider adding:

  • Infographics
  • Step-by-step visuals
  • YouTube videos (for engagement and dwell time)

Step 11: Add a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

Don’t let your post just end. Give your reader a next step:

  • Subscribe to your email list
  • Download a free checklist
  • Read the next blog post
  • Contact you for services

Make it relevant and non-pushy. Soft CTAs work best after delivering real value.

Example:

Want help creating an SEO strategy that brings results like this? Let’s work together at PinMySEO.com.

Step 12: Publish—and Submit to Google Search Console

Once your content is live:

  1. Double-check your URL slug is clean (e.g., /seo-friendly-content)
  2. Make sure your blog category and tags are SEO-optimized
  3. Submit your URL to Google Search Console for faster indexing

Then:

  • Share it across social media
  • Create 2–3 Pinterest pins and link back
  • Add it to relevant Facebook or LinkedIn groups

Promotion is just as important as creation.

Step 13: Track Performance and Update Regularly

SEO isn’t a “one and done” game. Monitor how your post performs using:

  • Google Analytics (time on page, bounce rate)
  • Search Console (CTR, keyword ranking)
  • Ubersuggest or Ahrefs (traffic estimates)

Look for:

  • Keywords you’re ranking for but not targeting (add them naturally)
  • Pages that are losing rank (update, refresh, and republish)
  • New opportunities for internal linking

We run SEO audits quarterly for our blog clients at PinMySEO—because staying relevant means staying updated.

What Makes Content Really SEO-Friendly?

Here’s what separates good from great:

  • Consistency – Posting once a month is fine. Just be consistent.
  • Topical depth – Don’t just scratch the surface. Cover topics completely.
  • User experience – Fast site, mobile-friendly, clear structure.
  • Keyword clusters – Target primary + secondary keywords in one post.
  • E-A-T principles – Show Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness through quality content and site credibility.

Remember: SEO isn’t about tricking Google. It’s about creating the best possible experience for the reader—and proving that through structure and relevance.

Recap: The 13-Step SEO Content Formula

Let’s wrap it up. Here are the 13 steps again:

  1. Do keyword research first
  2. Understand search intent
  3. Analyze what’s already ranking
  4. Create a solid outline
  5. Write for humans, optimize for search
  6. Craft a compelling, SEO-optimized title
  7. Write a meta description that gets clicks
  8. Use headers for structure and SEO
  9. Add internal + external links
  10. Optimize images and alt text
  11. Include a clear call-to-action
  12. Submit the post to Search Console
  13. Track, refresh, and improve over time

If you follow these steps, your content will start ranking faster, bring in more qualified traffic, and lead to more conversions—whether you’re promoting a product, service, or blog.

Want Help Growing With SEO?

You don’t need a massive budget to get blog traffic.

You need a clear SEO system—and that’s what we do at PinMySEO.

We help bloggers, service providers, and e-commerce brands:

  • Find keywords worth targeting
    Create high-quality content
  • Drive traffic with zero ad spend
  • Optimize every post to work 24/7

If you’re ready to grow smarter—not harder— visit PinMySEO.com and let’s build a blog that actually ranks.

Louis Dioso