Getting to grips with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a crucial skill for any freelance medical writer. Here are some best practices to help optimise your medical content for search engines:
Understand Your Audience and Keywords
Before diving into writing, identify your target audience. Are they healthcare professionals, patients, or a general audience interested in health and wellness? Once identified, use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find relevant keywords. Research keywords related to your topic that people are searching for. Use these exact phrases in your title, subtitles, image names and 2-3 times in the body text. This signals search engines what your content is about. Andmake sure you write naturally. Don't over-optimise with keywords. Use them appropriately so content flows naturally. Readers can tell when a piece is stuffed with keywords.
Use meta descriptions
These short summaries appear in search results under titles. Make them compelling previews that encourage clicks.
Create Valuable and Informative Content
Quality content is king in SEO. Ensure that your articles are informative, well-researched and referenced, and offer value to your readers. Discuss the latest developments in medical research, provide health tips, or explain complex medical terms in layman’s language. Quality content gets noticed and shared.
Structure content with headers
Break up sections with H2 and H3 headers incorporating keywords. This improves on-page SEO.
Optimise for Featured Snippets
Google's featured snippets can drive significant traffic to your site. Structure your content to answer specific questions that your audience might have. Use clear headings and bullet points to increase the chances of your content being selected for these snippets.
Use Relevant and Engaging Meta Titles and Descriptions
Meta titles and descriptions are what users see in search results. Make them engaging and include your primary keyword. This not only helps in SEO but also encourages users to click on your content.
Optimise for Mobile and Page Speed
With more users accessing the internet via mobile devices, ensure your content is mobile-friendly. Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool can help you check loading speed and suggest improvements. Faster loading pages rank higher in search results and offer a better user experience.
Use Internal and External Links
Linking to authoritative external sites can boost your content's credibility. Similarly, use internal links to guide readers to other relevant content on your website. This not only improves SEO but also increases user engagement and time spent on your site.
Optimise images
Name image files with main keywords and include alt text with keywords. Images boost engagement and rankings.
Keep Content Fresh and Updated
Regularly update your website with new content and revise old posts with the latest information. This signals to search engines that your website is current and provides up-to-date information.
SEO for medical content is a blend of precision and creativity. By following these best practices, you can increase the visibility of your work and position yourself as an authority in the medical writing field. At Medcopywriter, we’re dedicated to crafting medical content that resonates with both search engines and readers. Visit our website to learn more about our expertise and how we can help you excel in the digital healthcare space.