In episode 513, Megan chats to Samantha Blake about the lessons she learned from her experience as a food blogger, including the importance of niching down, SEO strategy, web design and building a blogging network.

Sam began a web design & SEO business after food blogging didn't go as planned. While she still enjoys cooking and baking as a hobby, she learned she truly had a love for web design & SEO pieces when it comes to business. Sam particularly loves designing and developing websites & coming up with SEO strategies for food bloggers - it's the best of both worlds! She is so excited about the opportunity to share her experience and knowledge about SEO to help more food bloggers grow their blog.

In this episode, you'll learn about the common mistakes made by food bloggers, such as neglecting niche selection and keyword strategy, underestimating the value of backlinks, and prioritizing design over functionality. Key points include:

- Niche and Keyword Strategy: It's crucial to pick a clear niche and develop a proper keyword strategy to enhance topical relevance and attract organic traffic.

- Start Broad, Then Narrow: Begin with a broader topic or competitor analysis, then drill down to find high-volume, low-competition keywords to target.

- Avoid Primarily Seasonal Content: Prioritize evergreen content to maintain consistent traffic rather than relying solely on seasonal spikes.

- Comprehensive SEO Strategy: Piecemealing SEO strategies from various sources may not yield desired results; focus on one comprehensive approach tailored to your goals.

- Prioritize Functionality Over Design: In the early stages, prioritize a simple, professional, user-friendly, and searchable blog design over intricate aesthetics.

- Build a Blogging Network: Connect with fellow bloggers through Facebook groups, social media, or accountability groups to learn, grow, and collaborate.

- Value of Backlinks: Recognize the importance of backlinks for SEO and credibility; engage in outreach and collaborations to acquire them.

- Participate in Roundups and Guest Posts: Explore opportunities to contribute to roundups or guest posts on other blogs to gain backlinks and exposure.

Connect with Samantha Blake

Website | Instagram

Interested in taking your food blog to the next level? Here are ways to work with Sam:

- Need a new website fast? Check out Sam's One-Day Website service.

- Ready to take action on an extensive SEO audit & strategy? Check out Sam's SEO Audit service.

- Looking for comprehensive SEO services and coaching? Check out Sam's Food Blogger SEO services.