Search Engine Optimization Image™ "Keyword Research"
SELECTING THE RIGHT KEYWORDS FOR
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
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Selecting the right keywords for your website can be very time consuming. Search Engine Optimization Image™ has a few methods it uses to help fine tune the proper keywords for optimization. Keyword selection is extremely important, you must chose keywords that are actually searched, and are not always what you would think. Different markets require different keywords. Companies with a single product or a small scope of products, require more of a targeted keyword range. Keyword competition can be so extreme that sites may have to target other keywords to start and then adjust their focus over time as their ranking increases.
Competitor Analysis
The first approach is to research your competition. Study the HTML source of your top ranking competitors. There you will find numerous keywords and keyword phrases that they have chosen. No one site, unless its scope or product is extremely limited, will target only one keyword. A properly optimized website will target numerous keywords because no two people will search the exact same keywords every time. Even your competitors will target keywords that will not benefit your site. No two sites are ever the same and their markets may vary in content and product.
Wordtracker
Is one method of research. Using their keyword research tool is a good starting method. Keep in mind that they research only Meta Search Engines so Wordtracker results should not be the only source of keyword research. The results will return similar and related keywords. Results are based on several million actual searches over the last few months. The full use of the tool is recommended for a broad range of searches and results. For less than $10 for a full day of proper research, it is well worth the investment. It should take you several hours to compile a good list of keywords to target, you may even need to go back after you finish researching other sources. Search Engine Optimization Image™ has found that the keywords returned are not always what the original keywords would have been. So we take our Wordtracker results to the next level and get some reassurance from other sources.
Yahoo Search Marketing (Overture)
Is another method of keyword research. Serious thought should be given to use the Pay Per Click (PPC) program as well. It is the best way to achieve top placement in other search engines that only return advertiser results, or return advertiser results before web results, such as MSN and Ask Jeeves.The Search Inventory at Yahoo Search Marketing will help you find good keywords, like Wordtracker, the results have a number of actual searches based on real web searches of real people. Using their keyword research tools is a good way to finesse the keywords you researched at Wordtracker.
Google Adwords
A third method of keyword research. Google Adwords, like Yahoo Search Marketing offers you more suggestions, you must be cautious here, as Google will decide that your site should be listed under a few hundred similar search results that will probably not be beneficial to your website. Remember this is more of an advertising tool and should be used with care. It will also introduce you to another method of advertising for placement on Google. Search Engine Optimization Image™ recommends the Google Adwords program for newer sites that need a quick start for their business.
MSN Ad Center
An new PPC AD Center from MSN currently a Pilot program and precursor to its removal of Yahoo Search Marketing.
A good combination of tools for keyword research is the best way to start a search engine optimization strategy. Experience with proper keyword research is very helpful. Remember, that it is a combination of all the aspects of search engine optimization that will get you results.
About the Author: Alan Rabinowitz is the CEO of a prominent NYC SEO Company, SEO Image. Visit SEO Image for more information on Search Engine Optimization, Internet Marketing and Link Building. http://www.seoimage.com/
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