Search Engine Optimization - Keyword Phases
To get listed correctly in the search engines, each page of your site that you want listed needs to be optimized to the best of your ability.
1. Think "specific keyword phrases" not "keywords".
a. If your keyword phrases are too general, it is very unlikely your site will rank high in the search engines.
b. You stand a far better chance to rank well for specific phrases where there is less competition.
2. Think like your target audience.
a. What would they search for when looking for the page you are optimizing?
b. They will not necessarily use the same keywords as you.
c. Try asking a few friends and family what they would search for when searching for a site like yours.
3. Check out your competition for ideas.
a. Do a search using keywords that you already know you want to target and click through on the top sites that come up.
b. View the source HTML code and view the keywords meta tags of you competitors.
HOW TO: To view the HTML code simply click the 'View' at the top of your web browser then select 'Source', or 'Page Source'.
4. Use a search engine keyword suggestion tool to help find keywords that will produce results.
a. One such tool can be found at Overture.com. This tool will find related keyword phase searches and tell you how many times it was used to search the web.
Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
• Check your current traffic statistics and note what traffic you are already receiving and under what keywords.
• Visit the site of a competitor who you know is doing well online (try using a search engine to find appropriate sites that are already ranking well).
• Make note of your competitors page titles and determine which keywords that they have chosen.
• Look at the source of your competitors pages (Internet Explorer: click “View” then “Source”) and copy their META tags into a notepad on your computer.
• By finding your competitors page titles and the META tags you should be able to determine with reasonable accuracy which keywords are a good match for your target audience.
• Use a search engine keyword suggestion tool, such as the one found at Overture.com, to help find keywords that will produce results.
More Topics:
Developing Keywords: Learn how to develop keywords, title tags and meta tags.
Tag character limits: How much is too much?
Free Keyword Tools: Discover some great easy to use both online and off line keyword tools
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