Starting a new website? The content decisions you make now will determine your success for years. Here's how to create a content strategy that builds authority and ranks - without wasting months on the wrong topics.

Why This Matters:

New websites have zero authority. Random content won't rank. You need a strategic approach that builds topical authority in one area before expanding. This guide shows you exactly how.

The New Website Content Mistake

Most new websites fail at content because they:

Publish random topics: No coherent strategy or topic focus
Target competitive keywords: Fighting against sites with years of authority
Skip foundational content: Only writing "money" pages without supporting content
Give up too soon: Expecting results in weeks, not months

Step 1: Create Your Topical Map

Before writing anything, you need to see the complete landscape of your topic. A topical map shows you:

Every subtopic you need to cover
How topics relate to each other
Search volume for each keyword
Natural content clusters and internal linking opportunities

How to Create Your Topical Map:

1. Go to Topical Map AI
2. Enter your main topic (e.g., "home coffee brewing")
3. Get 800-1,200 keywords organized into clusters in 60 seconds
4. Export your complete content roadmap

Step 2: Choose Your First Topic Cluster

Don't try to cover everything at once. Pick ONE cluster to dominate first. Choose based on:

1. Lower competition: Clusters where smaller sites are ranking
2. Decent search volume: Enough traffic to be worth it
3. Your expertise: Topics you can write authoritatively about
4. Business relevance: Connected to what you're selling

Step 3: Build Your Content Structure

For each cluster, create this content structure:

Content Structure Template:

1 Pillar Page (3,000+ words)

Comprehensive guide covering the main topic

Example: "The Complete Guide to Pour Over Coffee"

5-10 Cluster Articles (1,500-2,000 words)

Detailed articles on each subtopic, linking to pillar

Examples: "Best pour over kettles", "Pour over grind size", "Chemex vs V60"

10-20 Supporting Articles (800-1,200 words)

Quick answers and specific questions

Examples: "How long to bloom pour over", "Pour over water temperature"

Step 4: Create a Publishing Schedule

New websites need consistent publishing. Here's a realistic schedule:

Month	Content	Goal
Month 1	Pillar page + 4 cluster articles	Foundation
Month 2	4 cluster + 8 supporting articles	Build depth
Month 3	Complete cluster + internal linking	Topical authority
Month 4+	Start second cluster	Expand coverage

Step 5: Internal Linking Strategy

Internal links are crucial for new websites. Follow these rules:

Cluster → Pillar: Every cluster article links to its pillar page
Pillar → Clusters: Pillar page links out to all cluster articles
Cluster ↔ Cluster: Related cluster articles link to each other
Supporting → Parent: Supporting articles link to their cluster article

Realistic Expectations

New websites take time to rank. Here's what to expect:

Timeline	What to Expect
Month 1-2	Little to no organic traffic. Focus on publishing.
Month 3-4	Some keywords start ranking (page 2-5). Long-tail wins first.
Month 5-6	Traffic starts compounding. First page rankings for low-comp keywords.
Month 7-12	Significant traffic growth. Medium-competition keywords ranking.

Get Started Now

The sooner you start, the sooner you'll rank. Generate your topical map today and have a complete content strategy in 60 seconds.

Create Your Content Strategy

Free topical map - no credit card required