So, what are keywords anyway? Little wonders if you really want to know. They are as important for the success of your website as the advertising and other promotional means. No keywords, no SERP.
Linking strategy is probably the most important SEO technique, but keywords follow closely. As a mater of fact, you could exchange as many links as you wish, but, without content, your website has no real value. Without keywords your website cannot be found. People use keywords to find information. They type into the search engines’ search bars different words and phrases hoping to find relevant answers. If you want web users to find your website you have to optimize your web pages for the keywords they use.
It’s not enough to write the keywords in your text, or in your keyword META tag. You need to use keywords everywhere: URL, page title, META description, META keywords, page copy, ALT attributes. You also need to think keyword density and where exactly on the page you should place them: headings, subtitles, first paragraph, last sentence, footers and so on. You have to bold some keywords, use others in text links, in lists and so on. Yet, all these aspects are easier than choosing the right keywords.
Choosing the Right Keywords
How difficult can choosing the right keywords be? Well, if you already know what people are looking for, it is not so difficult. However, if you don’t… you have a big problem. The first problem is that you are not going to be able to reach the right segment of your targeted market and the second is that you will fail to deliver the right message to the search engines. As people trust search engine results when they look to buy something online, your only chance to increase online sales is to be have a high ranking in the SERP.
When you choose your keywords you also have to think about high rankings and branding. What you choose has to be directly related to your products and your business name. Your keywords have to describe what you sell or your services. Some SEO experts recommend that you also add common spelling mistakes at your keyword list. I wouldn’t. If you run a serious business you don’t want it associated to any unprofessional artifice. So describe your products honestly, correctly and explicitly.
You’ll have a long list of keywords and phrases to start with. Unfortunately you cannot use all the keywords in a list for your SEO purposes. Choose the most relevant keywords and start from there.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Keyword Density
Keyword density is an important factor in search engine optimization (SEO). Keywords, as the name indicates, are the key factors in a web page, while searching. The webpage will be displayed in response to the search about the particular keyword. However, it won’t be an easy job for the search engines to list the results, as millions of web pages, with the respective keyword, are indexed in the internet database. The viewers will require the most comprehensive search, and hence, search engines have formulated certain criteria to rate the quality of the web pages. And, keyword density is one of the significant parameters of the search engine algorithms in listing the webpage in the search engine result pages
Keyword density is the relative frequency for the appearance of the keywords to the total amount of words in the text. The web page will be oriented on the keyword and obviously, the keyword has to be repeated several times. The number of repetition of the keywords will be increased along with the increase in the word limit. Since the word limit of the web pages differ, it will be difficult to suggest an optimum number of repetitions for keywords. And, keyword density has thus formulated as an adequate parameter to represent the number of repetitions of the keyword corresponding to the word count of the whole text.
As for everything, optimum limit exists for keyword density also. It is certain that search engines as well as viewers are bothered about the quality of the content in the web pages. As a rule, it is reviewed that a lower amount of keyword density will reduce the focus of the webpage on the keyword, and increased number of keywords are feared to affect the readability of the subject. The keyword density will also account the phrase keywords.
Keyword density of a webpage becomes crucial, when the webpage developer tries to optimize it according to the preferences of the search engine. Everybody is in the urge to place their webpage in the top ranking and hence they have to adopt the search engine principles, to maintain their position. The optimum keyword density is important in SEO since the search engines will not entertain both the lower levels as well as higher levels of keyword density. The lower keyword density pages will lose their importance in the listing. But, overstuffing of the keyword is a serious offense for search engines and considers it as an act to deceive of them with keyword stuffing. Chances exists that search engines may run spam on higher key word density web pages and ultimately ban it.
Hence, an optimum keyword density is always advised as a part of SEO techniques. Even though the exact values of the search engine algorithms are not clear, 5-7% is approximated as the optimum limit of keyword density. For strict maintenance of the keyword density in the particular ratio, keyword density analyzers are available in the internet. Adopt any such tool, maintain the optimum keyword density and ensure a better position in the search engine results.
Keyword density is the relative frequency for the appearance of the keywords to the total amount of words in the text. The web page will be oriented on the keyword and obviously, the keyword has to be repeated several times. The number of repetition of the keywords will be increased along with the increase in the word limit. Since the word limit of the web pages differ, it will be difficult to suggest an optimum number of repetitions for keywords. And, keyword density has thus formulated as an adequate parameter to represent the number of repetitions of the keyword corresponding to the word count of the whole text.
As for everything, optimum limit exists for keyword density also. It is certain that search engines as well as viewers are bothered about the quality of the content in the web pages. As a rule, it is reviewed that a lower amount of keyword density will reduce the focus of the webpage on the keyword, and increased number of keywords are feared to affect the readability of the subject. The keyword density will also account the phrase keywords.
Keyword density of a webpage becomes crucial, when the webpage developer tries to optimize it according to the preferences of the search engine. Everybody is in the urge to place their webpage in the top ranking and hence they have to adopt the search engine principles, to maintain their position. The optimum keyword density is important in SEO since the search engines will not entertain both the lower levels as well as higher levels of keyword density. The lower keyword density pages will lose their importance in the listing. But, overstuffing of the keyword is a serious offense for search engines and considers it as an act to deceive of them with keyword stuffing. Chances exists that search engines may run spam on higher key word density web pages and ultimately ban it.
Hence, an optimum keyword density is always advised as a part of SEO techniques. Even though the exact values of the search engine algorithms are not clear, 5-7% is approximated as the optimum limit of keyword density. For strict maintenance of the keyword density in the particular ratio, keyword density analyzers are available in the internet. Adopt any such tool, maintain the optimum keyword density and ensure a better position in the search engine results.
How to Research Using Keywords
To do this research, I imagined what a potential client would type into a search engine. For my newsletter service business, I guessed that a potential client might type in "ezines" or "how to do an ezine" or "ezine publishing tips." Each time I used a version of these keywords I got different results.
For example on Technorati, a search directory of blogs, "ezine publishing" brought 10,164 results; most of them article directories where there are thousands of articles written on this topic. For "how to publish an ezine," there were 7,631 results. "Newsletters" brought in 250,692 results, and many of them were themselves newsletters rather than articles or resources about newsletters and ezines. For "ezine tips" there were 33,845 results, including my own Google Adwords ad (always nice to see that this appears somewhere!).
Technorati also allows you to search for "blog directories" so you can look for blogs using your key words.
Ezine publishing tips" brought zero results. "Ezine publishing" brought 2 results, both of which are possible competitors and worthy of investigating further. Interestingly enough, the keyword "ezine" brought in 21 blogs, and my own blog was number 2. Many of the blogs on this list were more focused on writing and freelance writers. And many of them were blogs that had been abandoned, or at least not posted to in over three months.
Then I turned to Google, because that is the most popular search engine. You can do this same research with Yahoo, MSN, and any other search engine and you will get different results. But the more you study the results the more it will become apparent where you need to add content.
For example on Google, for the keywords "ezine publishing" there were 2,670,000 results and one of my web pages came up #24, or on the third page. This tells me I need to create a web page using the term "ezine publishing" more, because being on the third page isn't good; most people won't search beyond page one or two.
However, for the keywords "how to do an ezine" I am #4, 5, and 6! This is excellent, out of 9,800,000 results. However for "ezine tips," there are over 6 million results and I didn't see any of my pages in the first five pages.
These examples are designed to show you how to do research for your own website, web pages and blogs. Using three or four versions of the keywords you think your potential clients would use, find out where you are coming up in the results. Then create new web pages and new articles containing those keywords. Use them in your titles, headlines, and in the first and last paragraphs. Then repeat the research process and see if you don't get better results.
For example on Technorati, a search directory of blogs, "ezine publishing" brought 10,164 results; most of them article directories where there are thousands of articles written on this topic. For "how to publish an ezine," there were 7,631 results. "Newsletters" brought in 250,692 results, and many of them were themselves newsletters rather than articles or resources about newsletters and ezines. For "ezine tips" there were 33,845 results, including my own Google Adwords ad (always nice to see that this appears somewhere!).
Technorati also allows you to search for "blog directories" so you can look for blogs using your key words.
Ezine publishing tips" brought zero results. "Ezine publishing" brought 2 results, both of which are possible competitors and worthy of investigating further. Interestingly enough, the keyword "ezine" brought in 21 blogs, and my own blog was number 2. Many of the blogs on this list were more focused on writing and freelance writers. And many of them were blogs that had been abandoned, or at least not posted to in over three months.
Then I turned to Google, because that is the most popular search engine. You can do this same research with Yahoo, MSN, and any other search engine and you will get different results. But the more you study the results the more it will become apparent where you need to add content.
For example on Google, for the keywords "ezine publishing" there were 2,670,000 results and one of my web pages came up #24, or on the third page. This tells me I need to create a web page using the term "ezine publishing" more, because being on the third page isn't good; most people won't search beyond page one or two.
However, for the keywords "how to do an ezine" I am #4, 5, and 6! This is excellent, out of 9,800,000 results. However for "ezine tips," there are over 6 million results and I didn't see any of my pages in the first five pages.
These examples are designed to show you how to do research for your own website, web pages and blogs. Using three or four versions of the keywords you think your potential clients would use, find out where you are coming up in the results. Then create new web pages and new articles containing those keywords. Use them in your titles, headlines, and in the first and last paragraphs. Then repeat the research process and see if you don't get better results.
Profitable Keywords For Your Google Adsense Campaign
No doubt that Google Adsense has become the number one player in making money on the internet. The latest claim that I saw advertised was an internet marketer that made over $19,000 in one month. What is their secret? It is simply writing articles and building adsense webpages that use high traffic, or even some traffic, that use profitable keywords. Not just any keywords, profitable keywords. You have to find keywords that your customers use and that your competitors do not use. Their are many tools available and this article will cover just a few of them.
KeywordDiscovery is also a very popular keyword research tool and is a major competitor to Wordtracker. KeywordDiscovery compiles keyword search statistics from over 180 search engines world wide, to create what they call "the most powerful keyword research tool". It has been noted in a number of reviews that Keyword Discovery returns more words that are relevant than Wordtracker, Yahoo's or Google's suggestion tools.
There are many other tools on the internet that are worth mentioning. They can be used to supplement and verify the profitable keywords that you find using the major keyword tools. They include, the Google search tool, Yahoo Overture, SEO20/20, webconfs website keyword suggestions (you put your competitor's website URL in this one to determine the profitable keywords they are using), and many more.
The SEO20/20 search tool is the most valuable for determining monthly traffic for profitable keywords by search engine. It includes information on the Overture bid prices, total monthly search volume, estimated search volume for Google, Yahoo, MSN, Digital Point (WordTracker), and Nichebot, Google trends, Google Traffic Estimator, Google Suggest, Google Sysnonyms, and Adwords Keyword Tool. It also provides you with links to news searches, directories, blog searches, tag searches, thesaurus, dictionary
KeywordDiscovery is also a very popular keyword research tool and is a major competitor to Wordtracker. KeywordDiscovery compiles keyword search statistics from over 180 search engines world wide, to create what they call "the most powerful keyword research tool". It has been noted in a number of reviews that Keyword Discovery returns more words that are relevant than Wordtracker, Yahoo's or Google's suggestion tools.
There are many other tools on the internet that are worth mentioning. They can be used to supplement and verify the profitable keywords that you find using the major keyword tools. They include, the Google search tool, Yahoo Overture, SEO20/20, webconfs website keyword suggestions (you put your competitor's website URL in this one to determine the profitable keywords they are using), and many more.
The SEO20/20 search tool is the most valuable for determining monthly traffic for profitable keywords by search engine. It includes information on the Overture bid prices, total monthly search volume, estimated search volume for Google, Yahoo, MSN, Digital Point (WordTracker), and Nichebot, Google trends, Google Traffic Estimator, Google Suggest, Google Sysnonyms, and Adwords Keyword Tool. It also provides you with links to news searches, directories, blog searches, tag searches, thesaurus, dictionary
keyword success
Choosing the right keywords is a strategy for better search engine positioning. Analyze your business carefully and think of all the words that relate to your company or product. Most techniques to improve your search engine rankings have one thing in common -- Keywords. Choosing appropriate keywords is very important. Keywords are what lead search engine users to your site.
Effective complement to both search engine optimization and targeted direct marketing campaigns, keyword programs are a highly cost-efficient method of capturing measurable response from prospects actively seeking information on your particular category of product or service. Here is a list of search engine keyword tips that will help you when you describe your products: Make each page for a particular keyword phrase. If you want to have a good ranking on, you should have a new page for each. Instead of using words like "it, this, that, item" use the actual search engine keyword throughout your article. make sure that the key phrase is in the title of your document and that the title matches what the document is about. Test as many search terms as possible Sometimes, the words or phrases that become top-performers are what you expected all along, often they're not. Measure performance after a couple of weeks and add variations on the terms that are performing best. At their most effective, keyword programs require a constant process of monitoring, testing, and refining.
How Keywords Help To Reach Your Niche
Keywords help you form your business. If you really want to reach your niche, you need to know what keywords will work for them. You have to be able to determine in advance which keywords your target niche is using, and how frequently they use certain word combinations.
There are a lot of factors involved in your searching and detecting if a keyword is viable, and you need to be aware of them as well so that you will be able to use the information to your advantage.
Factor Number One: Number
Websites such as overture.com and resultsgenerator.com are effective tools with which you can determine if certain keywords pertaining to your target market fare better than the others. In order for you to be able to do internet marketing effectively, you must keep in mind that these numbers may somehow serve as a gauge on what would work best for your target niche. But that's not the only thing.
Factor Number Two: Number of Competition
You must also keep in mind that while the number of hits that certain keyword has plays major role, you must also know that the number of your competitors are just as important. If you are selling to a huge market with an equally huge competition pool, you can adjust your strategies accordingly. Never go ahead and work unprepared. These numbers will give you a good estimate on what strategies will work best for the particular niche you have chosen.
Factor Number Three: Price Factor
The price factor is also a very important factor in keyword searches. What is the price range for the field you have chosen? This will also give you a glimpse of what kind of consumers you will be dealing with. Are they high end, medium end or low end users? You will be able to answer these when you see how much your consumers can afford to shell out regarding some products that already existing in the market
If you will be able to contribute something new and you get to convince them that it will work, so much the better.
Factor Number Four: The Entire Marketing System
All the figures point to the marketing system with which your selected keyword and target niche operates. The entire marketing system will help you know what role these numbers will play in your business, and at the same time, each marketing system for every niche has its own unwritten rules: what works for your consumers, their mindsets, how the existing competitors have tried to win their attention, what remote interests you can tap as a back door to reach your customers, among many others.
Optimizing Keywords
All SEO experts believe in the importance of optimizing keywords for search engines. Search engines need to know enough about your keywords so that they can help your pages visibility. If you're optimizing keywords for every page of your site, search engines help those pages be found as well.
How's Optimizing Keywords Done?
Before any other things, you need to select your keywords carefully and smartly. Keywords aren't the words or phrases that you invent. You have to discover what searchers are typing to find what they want. Then, you choose the closest to the content you want to write and write with those keywords in your mind.
Use a Variety of them
To distinguish individual pages of your site from each other, optimizing keywords for search engines can help. Every webpage on your website should have its own keywords or key phrases. Search engines, then, realize your pages are different from each other. Also, they see what the difference is.
On the other hand, in optimizing keywords for search engines, it will be very useful if the keywords of various pages on your site are similar and/or relevant. This, of course, will be the best SEO tactic in terms of optimizing keywords and will enhance the content relevancy on your site.
Optimizing Keywords or Key Phrases?
Today only the known brands or very successful websites use keywords successfully. Does it sound disappointing? Don't worry! What I mean is that one single word (common name) can hardly bring you targeted audience unless you're well-known or famous for that single work. So, what's the solution? You have to get involved in optimizing keywords for search engines in a precise way.
Use a string of words, a key phrase. The longer a key phrase, the more targeted your site visitors. Of course, there's some limit to it! These days, three-word key phrase or even four-word key phrase is the best to have.
For example, "affordable search engine optimization India" brings more targeted customer to your site than "seo India" or "seo packages" if you're an SEO company in India trying to sell lower-priced search engine services in your country.
Where to Use them!
You've carefully been optimizing keywords for search engines by now. The outcome should now be used at your title tags, alt tags, first two headings, beginning and end of pages, middle of pages, menu links, inbound links, etc.
This doesn't mean that you stuff the above positions with your keywords. Of course, the more inbound links with your keywords in them, the more benefit you get, specially from quality web pages outside your website
How to Use them!
Once you've decide what key phrases to use and where and completed optimizing keywords, stick to them as they are. Never split them up by adding a word in the middle of such strings or words.
Key phrases should have appropriate weight, frequency and density on your web pages, not more not less than necessary. Otherwise, they will be seen as inefficient or spam!
Therefore, you should be extremely careful about how to use keywords or key phrases at your web pages
How to Use Keywords Appropriately!
After you've completely done optimizing keywords for search engines, you should use them sufficiently and efficiently. This is something that search engines will find out easily. You also need to use good softwares or hire SEO experts to adjust this crucial point at your website. While you've put all the above tactics into action, in your web pages, you could expect more targeted visitors. Obviously, this ends in having more customers who find you and buy what you've got to offer.
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