Boost Your Blog Traffic: 10 Essentials for Quality Posts
Blogging might sound old school, but that’s not what the stats say. Half of marketers saw better ROI from blogging in 2024 than the year before, and businesses are investing more than ever in their blogs.
But with 4.4 million posts published every day, what will help your content catch your audience?
Gaining traction that translates means shifting toward new trends and AI optimization, and understanding what actually makes quality content.
So before you press publish, here are 10 quick tips worth checking for every blog post:
1. Start With an Engaging Title
Your latest post might be your best work yet, but that means nothing if no one clicks on it. There are key elements of an inviting blog post title — this step shouldn’t be an afterthought. Try to pull together 10 or fewer words that have these intentional title elements:
Actionable
Keyword Conscious
Clear
Intriguing
Pro Tip: Add numbers. Readers love a list. (That’s why you’re here!)
2. Use a Strong Lead
Follow those click-worthy titles with a strong intro. Summarize your content using the keywords readers came for, and keep them there with a hook — the “what’s in it for me?” moment.
Pro Tip: Show them upfront that you understand why they’re reading. Stats, experience, proof — data that shows you’re qualified help them.
3. Incorporate AEO
A new layer of Search Engine Optimization: Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). This strategy builds on SEO to optimize content that provides quick AI-generated answers, usually without a click-through. Content has to be structured with AI search engines in mind.
Pro Tip: Think in snippets. Does your post have clear content sections that AI can easily pick up on and reshare as a direct answer to a searched question?
4. Make It GEO-Friendly
Another need-to-know acronym: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This branch of SEO focuses on creating an overall structure that is readable for AI search engines. When a post is structured to help AI easily summarize information, that content will be picked up and shared.
Pro Tip: Rework your existing content. Comma recently supported an online marketplace platform in revamping its existing website content for GEO and AEO purposes. This update made their newly structured blog posts easily summarized and shared by AI search engines.
5. Optimize its Structure
Strategic structure performs better. This means posts with intentional heading systems (H2s, H3s, lists, etc.) have higher traffic and more engagement.
Pro Tip: Glance through a few posts from the Comma blog to get a feel for scrollable structure. Headings, lists, actionable tips — everything structured in an approachable way to help readers (and LLMs) take what they need and go.
6. Ensure Clarity
Edit each post with clarity as your goal. This step doesn’t mean oversimplifying or losing personality — just keep your message straightforward. Readers should find clear, engaging content that shares how your blog can help solve their problems.
Pro Tip: When you’re done writing, read through the post again and shorten both sentences and paragraphs. There’s almost always a simpler way to make your point. Less is more.
7. Create Reader Value
Bringing value starts with knowing your audience and understanding their pain points. Speak to what you know they need, backed up by real evidence of thought leadership.
Pro Tip: Look at your traffic history. Which posts are resonating with readers? Follow those leads for future topics and structure.
8. Add Engaging Visuals
We love words, but we’re the first to admit they’re not the only part of a blog that matters. Engaging visuals increase read time and boost blog performance. Visual elements can create connections with readers.
Pro Tip: Think beyond stock photos. Infographics, videos, illustrations, GIFs, data visuals — find creative ways to visually enhance engagement.
9. Use Links Strategically
Internal and external links bring value to blog posts. Links can help establish authority and boost SEO. Building a strategic rabbit hole can keep readers on your site and drive home the ways you can solve their problems.
Pro Tip: Make sure your links are set up to open in a new tab. This practice keeps readers on your blog post even when they start exploring.
10. Include a Clear Call to Action
Readership doesn’t mean much without conversion. End blog posts with a clear call to action (CTA) centered on strategic business goals. Each post should end with a suggested next step: a link to read more, where to go with questions, what to download, where to sign up for more information, etc. Intentionally guide readers.
Pro Tip: Make CTAs visually prominent and verb-focused. Even if readers skim the post, they should catch the CTA and clearly understand options for next steps.
Call on Comma for Content Support
If you need help turning core content into high-quality blog posts that check these boxes and more, consider letting Comma help with your copy. We build better blogs through experienced writers and editors, helping you reach your target audience and move traffic into leads and conversions.
If you need help reaching readers or optimizing for AI, schedule a free 20-minute consultation today to learn more about how Comma can support your blog and content goals.
