How to Add Blog Posts or News Articles to Your WordPress Website Using Elementor

Creating and publishing blog posts or news articles on your WordPress website is essential for keeping your audience engaged, improving SEO, and regularly updating your website with fresh content. This guide will walk you through how to create, format, and publish blog posts using Elementor and optimise them for SEO using the Rank Math SEO plugin.

Step 1: Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard

1. Go to your website’s login page: Visit www.yourwebsite.com/wp-login.
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Click Log In to access the WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Create a New Blog Post

1. Navigate to Posts:
   • On the left-hand menu, hover over Posts and click Add New.
2. Add a Title for Your Post:
   • At the top of the page, you’ll see a field to enter your blog post title. Ensure the title is descriptive and includes your focus keyword.

Step 3: Switch to Elementor for Page Building

1. Click on Edit with Elementor:

   • Once the new post page opens, click the Edit with Elementor button to launch the Elementor page builder.

2. Use Elementor Templates or Widgets:

   • You can either build the post from scratch or use pre-made templates available in Elementor.
   • To create the post layout, drag and drop elements like text boxes, images, and sections from Elementor’s widget panel.

Step 4: Add Content to Your Blog Post

1. Add Text and Headings:

   • Use the Text Editor widget to write your blog content. Break your text into sections with Headings (H2, H3, etc.) to improve readability.
   • Ensure each section has a clear focus and includes relevant keywords where appropriate, but avoid keyword stuffing.

2. Add Images or Media:

   • Use the Image widget to upload and insert images into your post. Make sure to optimise images for the web (see image optimisation guide) to ensure fast loading times.
   • Add alt text to every image for better SEO and accessibility.

3. Format Your Post:

   • Use Elementor’s formatting options to bold key terms, add bullet points, and structure the post for readability.
   • Ensure headings are used hierarchically (e.g., H2 for main sections, H3 for sub-sections) for clarity and SEO.

Step 5: Optimise Your Blog Post for SEO Using Rank Math

Now that you have added content, it’s time to optimise it for SEO using the Rank Math SEO plugin.

1. Scroll Down to the Rank Math SEO Section:

   • Below the post editor, you will find the Rank Math SEO box where you can optimise your post.

2. Add a Focus Keyword:

   • Enter the focus keyword (primary keyword) for your blog post in the Rank Math keyword field.
   • Rank Math will analyse your post and provide suggestions for improvements.

3. Optimize Meta Title and Description:

   • Under the SEO Title and Meta Description fields, customise the title tag and meta description.
     • The title should include your focus keyword and be under 60 characters.
     • The meta description should summarise your blog post and include your focus keyword (120-160 characters).

4. Fix On-Page SEO Suggestions:

   • Rank Math will display a list of recommendations to improve your post’s SEO. These may include:
     • Adding the keyword to the first paragraph.
     • Including internal and external links.
     • Use your keyword in headings and throughout the content.

5. Check SEO Score:

   • Rank Math assigns an SEO score to your post based on how well it’s optimised. Aim for a score of 80 or higher for best results.

Step 6: Add Categories and Tags

1. Select or Create Categories:

   • On the right-hand sidebar, you’ll see the Categories section. Choose an appropriate category for your blog post or create a new category.
   • Example: If it’s a news article, select the “News” category.

2. Add Tags:

   • In the Tags section, add relevant tags that are specific to the content of the post. These can include keywords or topics covered in your article.
   • Tags help with internal search functionality and enhance SEO.

Step 7: Set a Featured Image

1. Scroll Down to the Featured Image:

   • On the right-hand sidebar, find the Featured Image section.

2. Upload Your Image:

   • Click Set Featured Image to upload an image that represents your blog post.
   • Make sure the image is properly optimised and visually appealing, as this will appear on your blog page and when shared on social media.

3. Add Alt Text:

   • Always include descriptive alt text for your featured image, using keywords where relevant.

Step 8: Preview Your Post

1. Preview Your Blog Post:
   • Before publishing, click the Preview button to see how your post will appear on the website.
   • Ensure that all the elements, such as headings, text, images, and links, are displayed correctly.
2. Mobile and Tablet Preview:
   • Elementor allows you to preview your post on different devices (desktop, mobile, and tablet). Adjust the layout if needed to ensure mobile responsiveness.

Step 9: Publish Your Post

1. Check Everything:

   • Before publishing, review your post for any errors, broken links, or missing information.
   • Make sure the SEO score in Rank Math is high enough (ideally 80+).

2. Publish the Post:

   • Once you are satisfied, click the Publish button in the Elementor or WordPress editor to make your post live.
   • If you want to schedule the post for later, click Edit next to the Publish Immediately option and select a future date and time.

Step 10: Promote Your Blog Post

After publishing, it’s essential to promote your blog post to attract traffic.

1. Share on Social Media:

   • Share the blog post on your social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, to reach a wider audience.

2. Send a Newsletter:

   • If you have an email list, include your new post in your next newsletter to keep your subscribers updated.

3. Internal Linking:

   • Add links to your new post from other relevant blog posts or pages on your website. This helps with SEO and keeps visitors engaged.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you can efficiently create, format, and publish blog posts using Elementor on your WordPress website. With proper optimisation using Rank Math SEO, you’ll not only engage your audience with valuable content but also boost your website’s visibility in search engines.

Make sure to regularly add new content to maintain an active blog, which helps improve SEO and enhances your online presence.