A content hub is a resource center of your website. Having a structured, well-organized content hub can provide visibility to your page and generate more traffic. Let us explore how you can organize your content hub that will help you cross the threshold above your competition.
Step 1. Decide which type of Content hub you want to create
There are many types of a content hub. One must decide keeping in mind the target audience and the content you are going to showcase on your page.
- Hub and Spoke– It is the most familiar type of content hub where there is a central pillar page and a range of topic clusters in the form of sub-topics.
- Content library– Just like a library, it is an enlisted compilation of different topics and sub-topics. Each topic has its index which can land you to a range of sub-topics. A content library hub is apt for businesses that deal in different categories and products.
- Topic Gateway– It is an ideal content hub if your content aims to provide information regarding a specific topic, to a set audience.
Step 2. Zoom out and locate the topic
This would be an obvious step for creating a content hub. For the beginning take the widest possible scene of the area you are going to select. Take a larger picture, decide which topic you are not going to take, and eliminate it. Figure out a list of potential topics and finalize it according to relevance, search volume, and your ability to do justice with it.
Do’s– Make sure that the topic is relevant, relatable, and promising. Also, evaluate if the topic is competitive enough to be in search for the coming years too. It shouldn’t happen that the tiresome compilation you are doing today has no long-term validity.
Don’ts- The topic should be wide yet limited, in range. It should not be outspread so much that the audience gets irritated and bored while exploring the page.
Step 3. Churn it up: Identify the Subtopics
The next step would be to dig deeper and make a list of subtopics. The selection should be made keeping in mind the interests of the audience. Ask yourself questions regarding the usability of the subtopic for an ordinary reader. What type of questions your audience is likely to ask would be your answer to narrow down the subtopic.
Do’s– Take the help of reviews and feedback people have posted on your competition’s page. Always ensure that the subtopics are aligned and related to the main topic. Search for long-tail keywords related to your topic and make them your subtopic. Lastly don’t forget to be specific and clear while framing the sub-topics.
Don’ts– Don’t limit your sub-topics to obvious and probable questions. Remember that in today’s digital world everyone is equipped with surficial details. So, expand your sub-topic range to address those questions which are nowhere answered. Your subtopics should be addressed in such a way that they can cater to the in-depth queries of people.
Step 4. Make it interesting: Determine the format of content
Of course, your blog post would be the cornerstone of your blog. But adding another format of content will not only make your content hub enjoyable but also diversify it. You can add sections of Infographics explaining more about the subtopics. Uploading video content will make the content hub look vibrant.
Do’s- Try incorporating features like videos, infographics, live-sessions, and carousels in your content hub.
Don’ts– Don’t overdo it. Stick to your target audience and focus on only those features which can enhance your hub. Don’t force unwanted features on your page which have no relevance to the target audience.
Step 5. Hold the Centre: Organize it
A focused, systematic, and organized content hub is not only a haven for readers but also generates more traffic on the page. The layout should be such that your pillar page is positioned as the center that is holding to a group of subtopics, also known as topic clusters. Your Pillar page should be comprehensive and full of target keywords. It should be interlinked with the subtopics in such a way that a reader is compelled to read more curiously.
Do’s- Adopt topic cluster strategy to get more search engine attention. Make the pillar page, the core of your hub. It should be the forefront authority that reflects the theme of your page. From the pillar page, the topic cluster should emerge as different web pages, connected through links.
Don’ts- Don’t play with the same keywords for similar blog posts. Planning your pillar page and sub-topic clusters with such target keywords that are on the same theme yet diversified will make you win big. Also, the pillar page content needs not to be unnecessarily long. It must be comprehensive, clear, and consistent. So, Avoid unwanted baggage of information.
Step 6. Link it up: create a smooth gateway-
For SEO friendly content hub, you must map out your content in such a way that the pillar page is well-connected to subtopics. Internal linking on a page helps users to find a gateway to dig deeper into the desired information. Smooth navigation on a hub gives a domino effect to users’ journey and makes them stay longer on a page.
Do’s– Focus on navigational links and sidebar links while creating a content hub. Ensure a relevant use of anchor text to let Google algorithm find your content faster.
Don’ts- Avoid using too many internal links because it can hamper the navigation experience of users. Always make sure that the internal links are not broken and land you on the expected page.
Step 7. Time for some action: Make yourself visible
Making your content hub, SEO-friendly can take off the visibility of your page to a much higher place. To start with follow a schedule of posting content, decide a day once or twice a week and maintain that routine. Incorporate target keywords in the Pillar page and longtail keywords in the sub-topic page, to enhance page views. Invest your ideation in deciding title tags and meta descriptions. Also, take the help of social media to expand your content hub.
Do’s – Getting a featured snippet on SERP (search engine results page) is a plus when it comes to visibility. You can easily achieve it by structuring and layering your content hub. The piece which you are targeting for the snippet should be crisp, concise, and precise. You can also add short videos, Infotainment sections, video carousels, and image clusters to get a snippet space on SERP. Featured Snippets will give a boost to your organic CTR (click-through rate)
Don’ts – In the effort to get your desired rank in SEO, don’t just fool around with the search engine. Keyword stuffing can work only for a little while, eventually, the quality and structure of your content will give you the results. To ensure the sustainability of your content hub avoid using temporary maneuvers. It can harm the trust of your audience.
A well laid out content hub will result in a positive user experience. Try following these seven steps and keep creating.