8 Ways to Enhance the SEO of “How-to” Articles for Home Improvement Projects

In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization, we’ve gathered tips from eight SEO experts and digital marketing professionals to enhance your “how-to” home improvement articles. From delivering direct, experience-based content to outlining important steps simply, these SEO Consultants, Managers, and Founders provide their top strategies for boosting your online visibility.

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Deliver Direct, Experience-Based Content

For people searching for “how-to” articles, they are looking for a direct answer about how to complete a specific task. So, your content shouldn’t include any fluff—instead, deliver information straight away with detailed instructions (if possible, use images to visualize). 

Also, as Google is now looking for E-E-A-T, try to incorporate tips and common mistakes based on your first-hand experience to demonstrate your expertise.

Aubrey Yung, SEO Consultant, Aubrey Yung

Target Specific Long-Tail Keywords

When it comes to enhancing the SEO of “how-to” articles for home improvement projects, think like a curious DIY enthusiast. Focus on long-tail keywords that reflect the specific problems people are trying to solve. For instance, instead of just “fix a leaky faucet,” go for “how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet without professional help.” This way, you’re capturing the exact phrases that desperate homeowners are typing into their search bars. 

Sprinkle these keywords naturally throughout your article, especially in headings and subheadings, to guide both readers and search engines. And don’t forget to include high-quality, step-by-step images or videos; search engines love multimedia, and so do your readers. They’re more likely to stick around, share your content, and maybe even bookmark it for future reference.

Lukasz Zelezny, SEO Consultant, SEO ANT LTD

Include Comprehensive Project Details

When you write a “how-to” article, don’t just think about the “how.” Also include the who, what, when, where, and why of the situation. Who will need this tutorial? What tools and materials will they need to complete the task? When and where are people most likely to perform this task? Why is it important to them? 

As you answer these questions, think about relevant keywords throughout, and incorporate those into your content. If you do that, you’ll have far more long-tail opportunities for organic traffic than if you just focused on “how.”

Dennis Consorte, Digital Marketing and Leadership Consultant for Startups, Snackable Solutions

Implement FAQ and Listed-Steps Schema

Utilizing schema markup, particularly the FAQ format and listed-steps format, can significantly enhance the SEO of “how-to” articles for home improvement projects.

Implementing “FAQ” schema markup allows search engines to display your content in a rich-snippet drop-down format, prominently featuring your frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers directly in the search results. This not only improves visibility but also enhances the user experience by providing quick answers to common queries. When implementing FAQ schema for home improvement articles, ensure that your questions are relevant to the topic and address common concerns or challenges faced by DIY enthusiasts. Additionally, structure your answers in a clear and concise manner to provide valuable information upfront, getting to the point without any waffle.

Utilizing schema markup for listed steps (ListItem Schema) format enables search engines to recognize and display the sequential steps involved in completing a home improvement project directly in the search results. This format is particularly effective for “how-to” articles as it breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps, making them easier to follow for readers. When implementing listed-steps schema, organize your content in a logical sequence and use clear headings or numbers to denote each step. Additionally, include descriptive text or images for each step to provide visual guidance and ensure clarity.

By incorporating FAQ and listed-steps schema markup into your ‘how-to’ articles for home improvement projects, you can improve search visibility, attract more targeted traffic, and enhance the overall user experience, ultimately driving better engagement and results.

Curt Cresswell, SEO Manager, Brand Pandas Ltd

Integrate Rich Media for User Engagement

When optimizing “how-to” articles for home-improvement projects, integrate rich media like step-by-step images or videos. This not only enhances user engagement but also signals relevance to search engines, potentially boosting your article’s ranking. 

Visual aids complement textual instructions, making them easier to follow and understand. Plus, they can attract more organic traffic through image and video search results, enriching the overall SEO strategy for your content.

Koray Tugberk GUBUR, Founder and Owner, Holistic SEO

Use Structured Content for Clarity

A specific and effective tip for enhancing the SEO of “how-to” articles, especially in the home improvement domain, involves the strategic use of structured content. This means organizing your article using clear and informative headings, bullet points, and numbered lists, which not only improves readability for users but also makes it easier for search engines to understand and index your content.

Best Practice: Use Structured Content and Subheadings

1. Organize Content with Headings and Lists: Begin by breaking down the ‘how-to’ guide into clear, step-by-step instructions using numbered lists. This format is particularly user-friendly for DIY projects where the process is sequential. Each major step should be highlighted with a subheading (preferably formatted as H2 or H3 tags), making the content easy to follow and scan.

2. Enhance with Subheadings: Use subheadings to introduce each section of the tutorial. These subheadings should be descriptive and contain relevant keywords that users might search for. For example, instead of a generic subheading like “Step One,” use more descriptive tags like “Preparing the Surface for Painting” or “Installing Drywall in Your Living Room.” This not only aids user navigation but also helps search engines understand the content’s context and relevance.

3. Include Detailed Descriptions and Keywords: Within each section, provide detailed, easy-to-follow instructions and include relevant long-tail keywords naturally. For instance, if you’re explaining a painting technique, terms like “brushing techniques for a smooth finish” or “best paint for indoor walls” can be subtly integrated. This approach helps in targeting specific queries that DIY enthusiasts might use when looking for home improvement tips.

Example:

For a how-to article titled “How to Install Kitchen Cabinets,” structure it as follows:

Introduction: Brief overview of the project difficulty and time required.

Materials Needed: List all tools and materials with bullet points.

Subheadings for Each Major Step:

H2: Measuring Your Space

H2: Assembling the Cabinets

H3: Attaching Hardware

H3: Aligning the Doors

H2: Securing Cabinets to the Wall

H2: Finishing Touches

Conclusion: Summarize the main points and offer additional tips or common mistakes to avoid.

Conclusion:

By organizing “how-to” content in a structured manner, you not only enhance the user experience but also improve the article’s visibility and ranking in search engine results.

Chad DeBolt, Founder, Surchability

Address User Intent with Quality Content

When crafting “how-to” articles for home improvement projects, it’s essential to optimize your content by focusing on user intent and addressing common questions and pain points. Incorporating detailed step-by-step instructions alongside high-quality images and videos can significantly enhance user engagement and time spent on the page, which are crucial SEO metrics. 

Leveraging structured data markup to highlight key information such as materials, tools needed, and estimated project duration can improve your article’s visibility in search engine results. By providing comprehensive, valuable content that meets the needs of your audience, you’ll not only drive more traffic but also establish authority in the home improvement niche, ultimately leading to increased sales and revenue opportunities.

Tim Woda, Founder, White Peak

Outline Important Steps Simply

I will not mention that you need to pick a topic or understand your audience, which are the first two steps. I assume you know this already. Start with research (make sure you understand the process), write the steps and the process within them. 

Remember to stay simple and outline the most important steps (you can add more “fluffy” information later on in the article). Lastly, write so it is super easy to understand and be helpful. Don’t forget to test it—it’s important.

Magnus Strandberg, SEO Specialist, SEO Specialist Magnus Strandberg

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