SearchPooch.com asked:
We’ve heard it so often – if you don’t choose the best keywords for your web site you might as well shut up shop. So how, from all the possibilities out there, do you choose exactly the words that are going to resonate with the search engines and optimize your carefully constructed web site? Here are a few tips.
Use phrases, not single words
First up is the notion that single words are not what you are looking for. Single word searches generally find too many pages, so clever search engine users narrow their search by combining words. Let’s say your business is about fixing what goes wrong under the hood of a car. Obviously a search for “motor” is going to provide too many pages – and yours will likely not be in the top ten. The words “motor mechanic” may fare a little better – “motor mechanic Georgia” (if that’s where you are based) is better yet.
Ask a friend
Ask a friend to write you a list of all the words and phrases he or she would put into a search engine if they were looking for a business like yours. Sure, you can do this yourself, but your friend is one removed from your business and will look at it objectively, most likely finding words that you would never have thought of alone – possibly the same words a customer would select.
Think about associated words
Think of both the singular and the plural forms of the words you choose (“motor” and “motors”) and the verbs (the “doing” words) that are associated with your business (“auto repairing”).
What makes your business stand out from the rest?
You make widgets, but are you the only business in your area that is manufacturing brass widgets? You not only cut people’s grass for them but do you also water their plants when they are on vacation? Make sure the keywords you choose reflect any edge your business has over others. Since your goal is to entice more customers to your web site, look carefully at what will make you special to them.
Don’t use software immediately
Only after you have come up with a list of at least 30 search terms should you turn to tools like WordTracker to help you generate more. If you start with the software it will inhibit your thinking processes, so do the hard yards yourself first.
Remember both products and services
What products do you sell? What services do you offer? Many businesses not only offer products, they also have services that go with the products. For example, a plumber is going to sell shower fittings, and then install them. Words associated with products can be easy to determine, but don’t neglect those ‘service’ keywords, which a searcher may well have in mind when he enters search terms.
Consider hiring a professional
These are the people with experience. They have the latest tools and the knowhow. However, before you do so, work out as many words as possible for yourself. That saves the professional’s time – and your money!
Finally – it’s not only the words you choose, but also how you use them on your site that counts. However, that’s another story.
ELLIOT
We’ve heard it so often – if you don’t choose the best keywords for your web site you might as well shut up shop. So how, from all the possibilities out there, do you choose exactly the words that are going to resonate with the search engines and optimize your carefully constructed web site? Here are a few tips.
Use phrases, not single words
First up is the notion that single words are not what you are looking for. Single word searches generally find too many pages, so clever search engine users narrow their search by combining words. Let’s say your business is about fixing what goes wrong under the hood of a car. Obviously a search for “motor” is going to provide too many pages – and yours will likely not be in the top ten. The words “motor mechanic” may fare a little better – “motor mechanic Georgia” (if that’s where you are based) is better yet.
Ask a friend
Ask a friend to write you a list of all the words and phrases he or she would put into a search engine if they were looking for a business like yours. Sure, you can do this yourself, but your friend is one removed from your business and will look at it objectively, most likely finding words that you would never have thought of alone – possibly the same words a customer would select.
Think about associated words
Think of both the singular and the plural forms of the words you choose (“motor” and “motors”) and the verbs (the “doing” words) that are associated with your business (“auto repairing”).
What makes your business stand out from the rest?
You make widgets, but are you the only business in your area that is manufacturing brass widgets? You not only cut people’s grass for them but do you also water their plants when they are on vacation? Make sure the keywords you choose reflect any edge your business has over others. Since your goal is to entice more customers to your web site, look carefully at what will make you special to them.
Don’t use software immediately
Only after you have come up with a list of at least 30 search terms should you turn to tools like WordTracker to help you generate more. If you start with the software it will inhibit your thinking processes, so do the hard yards yourself first.
Remember both products and services
What products do you sell? What services do you offer? Many businesses not only offer products, they also have services that go with the products. For example, a plumber is going to sell shower fittings, and then install them. Words associated with products can be easy to determine, but don’t neglect those ‘service’ keywords, which a searcher may well have in mind when he enters search terms.
Consider hiring a professional
These are the people with experience. They have the latest tools and the knowhow. However, before you do so, work out as many words as possible for yourself. That saves the professional’s time – and your money!
Finally – it’s not only the words you choose, but also how you use them on your site that counts. However, that’s another story.
ELLIOT
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