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SEO

Having a strong online presence is crucial for any business looking to succeed.

This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in, which is the process of optimising your website to rank higher on search engines like Google.

One strategy that has become increasingly popular in recent years for improving SEO is the use of Pillar Pages.

What are pillar pages?

So what exactly are Pillar Pages?

A-Pillar Page is a comprehensive, high-level piece of content that covers a broad topic and provides detailed information on subtopics related to that topic.

Think of it as a one-stop shop for everything related to a particular subject.

Pillar Pages typically have a lot of content, including text, images, videos, and infographics, and they’re organised in a way that makes it easy for users to find the information they’re looking for.

Why Pillar Pages are Important for SEO

Pillar Pages are an essential part of an effective SEO strategy because they provide a clear and organised structure for your website’s content.

By having a Pillar Page for each main topic you cover on your website, you can create a hierarchy of content that search engines can easily understand.

This hierarchy helps search engines to understand the relationships between different pieces of content on your website, which can help improve your overall search engine rankings.

Additionally, Pillar Pages are an effective way to target specific keywords that you want to rank for.

By including relevant keywords in your Pillar Page content, you can increase your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) for those keywords.

Another benefit of Pillar Pages is that they help to establish your website as an authority on a particular topic.

When users see that you have a comprehensive, well-organised Pillar Page on a topic, they’re more likely to trust your website as a reliable source of information. This can lead to increased traffic, better engagement, and ultimately, more conversions.

How Pillar Pages Help with SEO

Content organisation

One of the primary benefits of using Pillar Pages is that they provide a clear and organised structure for your website’s content.

By organising your content into a hierarchy of Pillar Pages and subtopics, you make it easier for both users and search engines to understand the relationships between different pieces of content on your website.

For example, let’s say you have a website that sells outdoor gear. You might have a Pillar Page on camping, with subtopics like tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment.

This can help to improve your overall search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your website.

Linking strategy

By linking to your Pillar Pages from other pages on your website, you can help to establish their authority and improve their search engine rankings.

For example, if you have a blog post on camping gear, you might include a link to your camping Pillar Page within the text of the post.

This helps to establish the camping Pillar Page as a hub of information on the topic, and it also provides users with an easy way to find more information on the subject.

In addition to internal linking, you can also use external links to your Pillar Pages to improve their search engine rankings.

Targeting specific keywords

One of the primary benefits of using Pillar Pages is that they provide an effective way to target specific keywords that you want to rank for.

By including relevant keywords in your Pillar Page content, you can increase your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) for those keywords.

For example, if you have a Pillar Page on camping gear, you might include keywords like “best camping tents” or “sleeping bags for camping” within the content of the page.

By doing so, you increase your chances of ranking higher on SERPs for those keywords, which can drive more traffic to your website.

Establishing Authority

One of the most important benefits of using Pillar Pages is that they can help to establish your website as an authority on a particular topic.

When users see that you have a comprehensive, well-organised Pillar Page on a topic, they’re more likely to trust your website as a reliable source of information.

This can lead to increased traffic, better engagement, and ultimately, more conversions.

To establish authority through your Pillar Pages, it’s important to focus on high-quality content that provides real value to your users.

How to Create Effective Pillar Pages

There’s no denying that creating pillar pages is hard work but this is also one of the advantages.

They can be tough and long to create which means if your business is creating them it puts you at a competitive advantage over the thousands of empty websites out there.

To create high quality pillar pages;

Choosing the right topic

The first step in creating an effective Pillar Page is choosing the right topic.

The topic should be broad enough to cover a range of subtopics, but not so broad that it becomes difficult to create a comprehensive and cohesive Pillar Page.

It’s also important to choose a topic that’s relevant to your website’s overall theme and niche.

To choose the right topic, start by brainstorming a list of potential topics that are relevant to your website’s niche.

Then, narrow down your list by considering the following factors:

  • Search volume: Choose a topic that has a reasonable search volume, but not so much competition that it will be difficult to rank for.
  • Relevance: Make sure the topic is relevant to your website’s overall theme and niche.
  • Evergreen content: Choose a topic that’s evergreen and will remain relevant over time.

Creating a Pillar Page Outline

Once you’ve chosen your topic, the next step is to create a Pillar Page outline.

The outline should include the main topic as well as a list of subtopics that will be covered in the Pillar Page.

To create the outline, start by brainstorming a list of subtopics that are related to the main topic.

These subtopics should be specific enough to provide valuable information to the reader, but not so specific that they could be covered in a standalone blog post.

Once you have a list of subtopics, organise them into a logical order.

This will help you create a cohesive and easy-to-follow Pillar Page.

Writing high-quality content

The most important part of any Pillar Page is the content itself.

To create a high-quality Pillar Page, you need to focus on creating content that’s valuable, informative, and well-written.

To write high-quality content, start by researching each subtopic in-depth.

Look for reputable sources, statistics, and other data that will help you provide valuable information to your readers.

When writing the content, use a conversational tone and try to make the information as accessible as possible.

Use subheadings, bullet points, and other formatting tools to break up the text and make it easier to read.

Finally, make sure the content is well-organised and follows a logical structure.

This will help readers to understand the information and retain it more easily.

Incorporating multimedia

In addition to written content, it’s important to incorporate multimedia into your Pillar Page.

Multimedia can help to break up the text and make the information more engaging and memorable for readers.

There are a variety of types of multimedia you can incorporate into your Pillar Page, including:

  • Images and infographics: Use high-quality images and infographics to help illustrate your points and make the information more visually appealing.
  • Videos: Embed relevant videos into your Pillar Page to provide additional information or to break up the text.
  • Charts and graphs: Use charts and graphs to help illustrate complex data and make it easier for readers to understand.

When incorporating multimedia, make sure it’s relevant and adds value to the content.

Don’t include multimedia just for the sake of it – it should serve a purpose and enhance the reader’s experience.

Optimising for search engines

Finally, it’s important to optimise your Pillar Page for search engines.

This means incorporating relevant keywords into the content, optimising the page’s metadata, and ensuring the page is mobile-friendly and loads quickly.

To optimise your Pillar Page for search engines, follow these tips:

  • Keyword research: Conduct keyword research to identify the most relevant and high-traffic keywords related to your topic. Use these keywords in the Pillar Page title, headings, and throughout the content, but avoid keyword stuffing.
  • Metadata: Optimise the page’s meta title and description to include the primary keyword and a compelling call to action. This will help to improve click-through rates from search engine results pages.
  • Mobile-friendliness: Ensure that the Pillar Page is mobile-friendly and loads quickly. This is important for both user experience and search engine rankings.
  • Linking strategy: Incorporate internal and external links within the Pillar Page. Internal links should point to other relevant pages on your website, while external links should point to authoritative sources that add value to the content.

Pillar Page Best Practices

Pillar Pages are a powerful tool for improving your website’s SEO and providing a comprehensive resource for your audience.

To ensure that your Pillar Pages are effective, it’s important to follow best practices in design, linking strategy, content updates, and data analysis.

Consistency in design

Consistency in design is important for creating a cohesive and professional look for your website and Pillar Pages.

This includes using a consistent colour scheme, typography, and layout across your website.

When creating a Pillar Page, use the same design elements as your website to create a consistent user experience.

Additionally, use visual elements, such as images, charts, and infographics, to break up large blocks of text and make the page more visually appealing.

This will help to keep visitors engaged and encourage them to stay on the page longer.

Internal linking strategy

Internal linking is an important aspect of Pillar Page creation.

It helps to create a network of interrelated pages on your website, which can improve navigation and help visitors find the information they’re looking for.

When creating a Pillar Page, be sure to include internal links to other relevant pages on your website.

This will help to establish the Pillar Page as a central hub of information on the topic, while also improving the overall SEO of your website.

Update your content regularly

Regularly updating your Pillar Pages can help to keep the content fresh and relevant for your audience.

This can include adding new information, updating statistics, or adding multimedia elements, such as videos or infographics.

Regular updates can also help to improve your website’s SEO by signalling to search engines that your website is active and relevant.

This can lead to improved search rankings and more traffic to your website.

Using Data to inform your decisions

Data analysis is an important aspect of creating effective Pillar Pages.

By using data to inform your decisions, you can create Pillar Pages that are optimised for your audience and search engines.

One way to use data is to analyse user behaviour on your website.

This can include tracking metrics such as time on page, bounce rate, and click-through rate.

By analysing this data, you can identify areas of your Pillar Pages that may need improvement and make changes to improve the user experience.

Additionally, keyword research and analysis can help to identify the most relevant and high-traffic keywords related to your topic.

This can inform your content creation and optimisation strategies, helping to improve your website’s SEO.

Common Misconceptions About Pillar Pages

Pillar Pages are an effective tool for improving SEO and providing a comprehensive resource for your audience.

However, some common misconceptions about Pillar Pages may prevent businesses from utilising this powerful strategy.

Pillar Pages are too time-consuming

While it’s true that creating a Pillar Page requires more time and effort than a standard blog post, the benefits can far outweigh the initial investment.

Pillar Pages provide a comprehensive resource for your audience, which can improve their user experience and keep them engaged with your website.

This can lead to increased time on site, improved conversion rates, and higher search engine rankings.

Additionally, Pillar Pages can be updated and repurposed over time, which can help to extend their lifespan and maximise their impact.

Pillar Pages don’t work for small businesses

Another common misconception is that Pillar Pages are only effective for larger businesses with extensive resources.

While it’s true that larger businesses may have more resources to invest in Pillar Page creation, small businesses can also benefit from this strategy.

Pillar Pages can be especially effective for small businesses that are looking to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry.

By creating a comprehensive resource on a specific topic, small businesses can demonstrate their expertise and establish their authority in their field.

Additionally, Pillar Pages can help small businesses to compete with larger companies in search engine rankings.

Pillar Pages only work for B2B companies

Finally, there is a common misconception that Pillar Pages only work for B2B companies.

While it’s true that Pillar Pages can be especially effective for B2B companies that are targeting specific industries or niches, they can also be effective for B2C companies.

For example, a B2C company that sells outdoor gear could create a Pillar Page on “The Ultimate Guide to Camping.”

This Pillar Page could include information on selecting the right tent, tips for building a campfire, and advice for staying safe in the wilderness.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Pillar Pages depends on the quality of the content and its relevance to your audience.