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Good SEO Is Good Keyword Research
Research Before You Write
It has been said that what differentiates good SEO's from great
SEO's is keyword research. As an owner of a small business you
can probably think of one or two search phrases that sum up your business.
You probably think that these phrases would make a mint for you if
your website came up first for them when someone typed them into a
search engine. While this may be true, chances are that you - as a
business owner -look at your business differently than your clients.
You may use industry jargon to describe your services, while clients
think in terms of simple problems that they need solved and search
the web describing them. For example, you may describe yourself as
a "expert web designer", but chances are more people will search using
terms like "I need a new web design" or "redesign
my website" so you would do better to optimize your website for
those words.
Where Can I Find User Centric Keywords?
There are many places to research keywords for your website. If you already have
a website, ask your web host to look at your web stats. Chances are
your web host has been collecting the search terms that were used
to find your website since your site went live. These terms are commonly
stored in the log files of your website, and most websites offer a
piece of software like Urchin (http://www.urchin.com/), or Webalizer
(http://www.mrunix.net/webalizer/) that makes reviewing your log files
simple. Using one of these tools, look for referral reports such as
"keyword phrases". Here you'll find a listener of the exact phrases
people typed in the search engines to find your site and they say
is without a dead the best place to start your keyword research.
Keyword Research and Suggestion Tools
Keyword Suggestion Tools
If you are just building your website, or need some help thinking outside the box, these are some great tools that
will help you choose keywords to optimize your website for:
Wordtracker
- perhaps the best-known keyword suggestion tool, Wordtracker makes
finding and prioritizing keywords easy. It is a service and you can
use it for 24 hours for about six dollars. Monthly and annual subscriptions
are also available.
Digitalpoint
- this tool is no substitution for Wordtracker, but it is free and
may help get the wheels turning.
Google
Sandbox
- this tool can be useful, but is not as "effective" [in Anicon's
opinion] as the tools previously mentioned. That said, using this
tool to generate keywords that you will then test in a tool like Wordtracker
is a great idea.
Overture
Keyword Suggestion Tool - they move this resource constantly
to prevent abuse. Like the Google Sandbox this tools is no replacement
for Wordtracker.
Consult with Your Customers for Keywords
Another place to search for keywords is within your customer base. Go ahead and ask your customers how
they found you, how they would describe your service and what search terms they would use to
find your website. You will be amazed at what you find.
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Toronto SEO Services