It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re simply beginning out in website positioning, otherwise you’re decades-deep—these battle-tested content material advertising templates gives you a headstart in your subsequent undertaking.
I’ve been in advertising for coming as much as ten years now (*inner scream on the passing of time*) and, whereas I prefer to suppose I’ve a little bit of savvy in terms of content material advertising, I nonetheless typically discover myself looking for the sorts of content material templates I utilized in again in 2015, once I was all however an website positioning child.
No matter stage you’re at—a little bit of ‘finest apply’ by no means goes amiss!
Under, you’ll discover our gold commonplace content material templates— some for weblog put up creation, some for website positioning reporting, and a few for every part in between.
Each has been specifically developed by our group and the Ahrefs group to save lots of you time, and enable you to create content material that truly works.
So, get your bookmark buttons on the prepared…
In case your job is creating content material, then I’m positive you’ll have hit one or two artistic partitions in your time.
Content material templates can pull you out of that rut, providing you with concepts on the codecs your viewers count on to see once they’re looking out sure sorts of queries.
1. Weblog codecs
We’ve put collectively six weblog put up templates that will help you transfer previous the blank-page. Until you’re writing a free-flowing suppose piece, or a chunk of deep-research, chances are high your content material will observe a sure type of format.
Seize your six content material templates right here:
The checklist put up templateThe competitor comparability templateThe expanded definition templateThe contrarian thought-leadership templateThe newbie’s information templateThe step-by-step information template
2. Content material briefs
In the case of planning, having examples of various outlines and briefs is like having a buffet of content material parts—you may combine and match probably the most worthwhile components to create your perfect content material template.
Bookmark these six content material temporary templates:
Ahrefs’ content material temporary templateDraft.dev’s technical content material temporary templateFreshpaint’s product-focused content material temporary templateFio Dossetto’s ABCD content material temporary templateDeel’s marketing-focused content material temporary templateOmniscient Digital’s conversion content material temporary template
3. Content material outlines
Obtain Invoice Widmer’s content material define template proven under. It maps out every part from key phrase concentrating on, content material construction, and USPs, to different essential parts like search intent.
Obtain the template
4. Content material plans
Rabbit-holes, tangents, evaluation paralysis—I’m responsible of them all.
Should you’re like me, creating a plan in your content material could be made an entire lot simpler with a step-by-step content material plan template. Fortunately Josh has made an incredible one so that you can observe.
Obtain the template right here
Content material technique templates
Constructing a content material technique isn’t a one-and-done job. Manufacturers, audiences, algorithms—all of them change. With every part shifting round you, having dependable frameworks is a should. They may help you focus, and put your power into the areas that truly matter.
5. Content material advertising methods
I’ll be trustworthy. Developing with BuzzSumo’s content material technique each quarter used to present me minor coronary heart palpitations. “You’re simply promoting SaaS, you’re not saving lives.” I’d chant, as I cobbled collectively some KPIs. If I’d had Josh’s content material advertising technique template readily available, I’d have felt much more assured in my strategizing.
Seize his template right here
6. Content material audits
Top-of-the-line issues you are able to do in your content material is give it a second (or third, or fourth) likelihood at rating. However first off, it’s good to discover which articles are value resurrecting. Comply with Josh’s content material audit template to prioritize your content material efforts.
You may also observe his nifty, content material audit quiz under.
7. Content material maps
A content material map is a menu in your purchaser’s journey (first buffets, now menus… are you able to inform how hungry I’m while penning this?)—it reveals you precisely what content material to serve up at every stage, for each kind of buyer.
Get tremendous focused with persona-specific copy, or create content material that speaks to everybody—simply observe Mattheusz’s content material map template for extra concepts under.
Obtain the template
8. Content material hole evaluation
There’s nothing higher than discovering out that your high competitor has dropped the ball. Swoop in on content material gaps with Despina’s superior content material hole evaluation template.
Obtain the template right here
To get absolutely the most out of this content material template, watch Despina’s helpful walkthrough:
9. Advertising and marketing plans
Advertising and marketing plans can rapidly snowball into massive, unwieldy, directionless paperwork—in case you’re not cautious. That’s why Josh constructed this extremely easy one-page content material advertising plan template.
Obtain the template right here
10. Key phrase technique
Having a key phrase technique is vital for staying on process, and never getting caught in alternative overload. Take it from somebody who does numerous key phrase analysis. Josh has acquired you coated with a easy key phrase technique template that can maintain you on high of crucial metrics.
Obtain the template right here
11. Key phrase mapping
Whenever you key phrase map, you group key phrases into subjects and assign them to pages. It’s just like the content material mapping we coated earlier—solely by means of the lens of website positioning.
Seize our content material template, the place you may map your key phrases, report your actions, and tag in your group mates to collaborate.
Obtain the template
12. website positioning plan
Obtain our confirmed website positioning plan, primarily based on how we do issues right here at Ahrefs. It’ll enable you to discover the correct key phrases, construct hyperlinks, and observe your outcomes multi functional place.
Obtain the template.
Right here’s Josh strolling you thru use it:
13. website positioning technique
Creating an website positioning technique is one other a kind of duties that may be intimidating to sort out–even for entrepreneurs which were round some time. Obtain our template, and observe together with our weblog for recommendations on how construct your website positioning technique from the bottom up.
Obtain the template.
14. website positioning checklists
My associate and I’ve waged an ongoing battle over to-do lists. He despairs on the reality I don’t maintain an ongoing checklist, however I don’t see the worth in having an inventory that by no means ends. The place is the construction? What do you prioritize? And, most significantly, how do you get any satisfaction if the checklist isn’t carried out?!
I really feel the identical about most website positioning checklists on the market. They’re a jumble of duties that may a number of right into a forever-list if not personalised, and prioritized.
That is precisely why we created one thing higher—a completely customizable website positioning guidelines.
It’s designed to adapt to your website, not the opposite means round. Should you agree then…
Seize the Google Sheets template
(p.s. in terms of #todolistgate, your template downloads would assist my case no finish)
15. Aggressive evaluation
Whereas it’s not at all times good to be trying over your shoulder, conserving watch in your competitors may give you tips about which route to take your technique in.
My favourite half about this competitor evaluation template is the “Ghost purchasing” factor. In a former job, my colleagues shaped a group and went undercover to demo competitor merchandise and create complete “battle playing cards”. It was full-on SaaSpionage.
You don’t need to go making a pretend identify or backstory like my ex-colleagues (that final bit was most positively pointless), however periodically updating this data may help you fill the gaps, and get forward of the market.
Obtain the template
Content material distribution templates
Distribution is likely one of the most elementary components of content material advertising. Considered one of my favourite quotes on content material distribution comes from Andy Crestodina:
Each piece of content material ought to be created with a promotion plan…with each piece of content material, it’s good to have some idea of the way it’s going to get traction. If it’s not search, it ought to be one thing else. Not each subject is being looked for. However with no matter you’re making, don’t wait till it’s stay earlier than you begin eager about market it. That’s too late.
I feel we will all agree that distribution can be one of many hardest components of promoting. For that motive, we’ve tried to simplify issues for you with the next two content material advertising templates.
16. Press releases
This content material advertising template makes it straightforward to create an expert press launch with a transparent, structured format that covers all of the necessities—from headline to boilerplate. It additionally helps you share your information in a no-nonsense means, with a template and instance outreach electronic mail, which can seize the eye of each media retailers and your viewers.
Obtain the template.
17. Outreach
Our hyperlink prospecting template will enable you to carry on high of your website positioning outreach efforts. You’ll have the identify, electronic mail, area score, and marketing campaign on file so that you’ll know as and when to examine again in with collaborators.
Seize the template.
Content material measurement templates
Numbers. Ew. Who truly likes them? There’s a motive I went into content material individuals! Measuring the success of your work could be a slog. Fortunately the remainder of the Ahrefs group—and the Ahrefs group—have your again with straightforward reporting templates…
18. website positioning reporting
Good website positioning studies provide you with clear insights and a logical abstract of the work. After reviewing and discussing website positioning studies from consultants, in-house groups, and companies with specialists within the Ahrefs Insider group, the Ahrefs group created an website positioning report template. It’s designed to be a stable start line you could tweak and broaden to suit your wants.
Obtain the template
19. website positioning audits
Trying to enhance your web site’s website positioning however don’t know the place to begin? Use our free website positioning audit template to seek out website positioning points that want fixing.
Obtain the template
20. PR report
This content material advertising template comes from yours actually. I spoke with a gaggle of bread-and-butter PRs about what it takes to create an incredible PR report, they usually had been type sufficient to share some examples and content material templates. On this weblog, you’ll discover eight totally different templates, together with:
Exec-friendly one-pagersPR complement templatesMonthly deep-dive templatesCampaign wrap-upsLive protection dashboardsOngoing protection templatesQuarterly report templates
Plus our very personal template, which amalgamates the entire finest bits from the Ahrefs group.
Obtain the template right here.
21. website positioning reporting dashboards
Creating an website positioning reporting dashboard is commonly a neater approach to share your website positioning efficiency outcomes than a text-heavy website positioning report. Listed below are three stay Looker Studio templates you may depend on to speak the constructive affect of your content material and website positioning.
Seize Ahrefs Website Explorer dashboard template
Copy Ahrefs’ Rank Tracker dashboard template
Seize John Reinesch’s model site visitors template
Wrapping up
The extra power you pour into reinventing the wheel for each piece of content material, the much less you’ve for the artistic work that truly makes an affect. That’s why content material advertising templates are a should—not only a shortcut.
Grinding by means of tedious, repetitive duties isn’t any badge of honor. Utilizing these content material templates, you may streamline the busywork, reclaim your time, and refocus on creating extra of the great stuff.