All businesses on the web need traffic and they need to be found by the people looking for them. This is what search engines do. But how do you get these search engines to come find your site above all others?
Read On:
Technical tips to boost SEO
Structuring your website for SEO
SEO jargon buster
The key lies in putting in the right phrases and words (key words and key phrases) that the search engines like Google and Bing can sniff out and find when someone comes looking.
But knowing what these keywords and phrases are – and what the likely words and phrases a vast array of consumers are possibly going to type into a search engine when looking for you – is far more tricky than you’d think.
So how do you work out what your keywords and phrases have to be?
Do your keyword research
The first step to writing for Google et al is to research your keywords. Many content writers and site owners blindly write articles or create a video and wonder why no one is watching or reading. They’ve neglected the “smart keyword research.”
The first step is to effectively research your keywords is to understand what the site is about and what it does and think of the words that your think are right.
Then you need to plug them into Google’s keyword tool and play around and look for:
• How much competition is for that phrase
• How many searches are made for that phrase in a month
From this, you can massage the phrase that you came with, and also consider adding some complementary phrases to your writing.
It’s not keywords, but key phrases
One thing is certain: savvy SEO experts don’t write articles and content based on keywords; they channel all their strength and skill in targeting key phrases.
But be creative. Avoid head keywords like, “weight loss tips”, “make money online” and things that are that generic and frankly very over used. Instead, write content on these long-tail key phrases: fast way to lose weight, earn extra income from home, search engine marketing and the like.
Research key phrases with the aim of solving one particular problem or covering one specific issue at a time, again using Google’s tools as described above.
Target old and new users
With markets getting increasingly crowded, you need to target your keywords ever more specifically and at the right people and places. You have to have the right phrases and keywords in there to let people know what you do and to help first timers find you.
But you may, as you become increasingly successful, also have a host of existing customers or users that use you occasionally. You have to also target these guys.
This requires going through the two points above for words and phrases that newbies would use as well as doing it for words and phrases that occasional users might come back to you with, and even what you might want to use to attract back regular users.
Use geo-targeted phrases
The final piece of the SEO 101 puzzle is looking for words and phrases that now also include geographical references. For online only businesses this will help users understand the logistical issues around deliveries etc. For businesses that also have a physical presence, it can help with garnering visitors and footfall.
In an increasingly international e-commerce marketplace it can also help users find you from anywhere and know where you are and help decide if they want to do business with you or not. It also helps you carve out your local niche.
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