Keyword Optimization
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Understanding Keywords
Keywords are the words entered into search engines by people looking for something,
or searching. Keyword phrases are multiple keywords used by people looking for
something more narrowed or particular. For example, someone who wants general
information may search on "Weather" while someone looking for something
in particular may use a keyword phrase such as "Tampa Bay Weather" to
narrow their search. Therefore, it is important that your web site have good search
engine rankings for the particular keywords and keyword phrases that pertain to
the products or services you offer.
Avoid Common Keyword Mistakes
Picking the keywords that best represent what business you are in or what service
you offer seems pretty easy. For example, you're a realtor, so you should make
sure web searchers find you if they select "real estate" and "realtor"
because that's how you define yourself. Unfortunately it's not that simple. You
need to define yourself as your customers see you, or search for you.
Let’s take the realtor example a little further. If you search on Yahoo,
there are about 619 Million listings for "real estate" right now. The
largest listing, Realtor.com has a Google PageRank of 7, so getting your real
estate site to organically rank in the top 10 would be nearly impossible. Unfortunately,
this is where most web site owners and marketers fall victim and end up on page
200 of Yahoo and Google for "real estate" and never see any free search
engine traffic.
Optimize Using Buying Keywords
In order to select the best keywords and ensure you are attracting buyers and
not just browsers, you need to avoid single keywords and use 2 to 4 word keywords
phrases. The reason for this is a potential buyer knows more about what they want
than a browser. For example someone browsing for sunglasses made by Oakley, may
just search on "Oakley" to learn more. Someone who is ready to buy will
search for "Oakley Juliet Polarized Sunglasses" or "Oakley Juliet
Free Shipping" to get exactly what they want.
Using the realtor example again, let’s say you specialize in downtown,
or urban lofts, in Chicago. You can now use buying keyword phrases such as “Downtown
Chicago Lofts for Sale” or “Downtown Chicago Realtor” which
are the keyword phrases targeted home buyers are using to search for what you
do.
Put You Keyword Phrases on Your Web Site
Once you know which keyword phrases are profitable for you, make sure and put
them in the <title> of your web site and throughout your site (use a keyword
density of 3%-5%) so the search engines will pick up on them and rank you by them.
This will help your buying customers find you!
Keyword Optimization Summary
To get the most out of keywords and keyword phrases, follow these simple steps:
- Avoid Ultra Competitive Keywords
- Use 2 to 4 word keyword phrases
- Target Buyers, not just browsers
- Use the keywords your customers would use to find you
- Put your keywords in your web site title and on web pages
Keyword Optimization Help
There are more in-depth ways to find buying keywords that range from looking
at what keywords your competitors are using, to looking inside Google and Yahoo
to see which keyword phrases are being purchased the most. If you are looking
to find an optimization company to do this for you, please give us the opportunity
to talk to you about your needs. Preferred Position offers a very affordable keyword
optimization service. |
