How to Improve Search Traffic Using the Right Keywords
by Frank Jovine on 09/27/2009 in SEO Tips
A web page should only be optimized for 2 or 3 keywords, anymore than that you are creating keyword saturation – It’s what I like to call it. You need to remember that you are not the only webpage on the internet; you have competition, and a lot of it.
How do you find the right keywords?
The best and most accurate tool is Google’s Keyword Tool. This tool will provide you with Advertiser Competition, Local Monthly Search Volume and Global Monthly Search Volume. It’s important NOT to choose a keyword phrase that has too much competition and or little search volume.
Fact: Almost 70% of all search traffic comes from long tail keywords also known as keyword phrases.
How to use Google Keyword Tool
In the keyword text box type in a broad keyword phrase that best describes what you write about. In this example I entered “How to remove virus”.
Here are the results
As you can see there are a number of related terms, but I am choosing the keyword phrase that has the highest Local Search Volume. The competition is high, but not at 100%. It’s hard to find the best of both so choose wisely.
You can also save your keyword phrases by clicking on the “+Add your own keyword” in the right sidebar. You can also get an estimate of search traffic for each of the keyword phrases you saved.
Ann Arbor Computer Repair
Sep 27th, 2009
I have found this tool to be very helpful in my SEO efforts. In fact, I made it to the first page on alot of my keywords. Keep in mind that I am targeting local people only, but it worked nicely.
Another good tip is to run a campaign for a week or two to get the actual search numbers. I found out which terms that I needed to focus on.
Frank J
Sep 27th, 2009
Thank you for the comment and you can never know too much.
Klaus @ TechPatio
Sep 27th, 2009
Don’t you think the “advertiser competition” only looks at the, well, advertiser competition? And not the “search engine result”-competition, if you can call it that?
I mean, if “how to remove virus” returns 10 million results for 60,500 local searches and “how to remove viruses” returns only 20,000 results for 8,100 local searches, then I’d much rather try to get on page one for the latter instead of getting up against 10 million other pages
Actually I just checked, with double quotes around the phrase, “how to remove virus” returns 909,000 results. So that’s “15 results for each local search”.
“how to remove viruses” returns 45,700 so that’s “6 results for each local search”.
I think I would try to optimize for the latter, then.
PS: You’re missing a “subscribe to comments”-feature here, so feel free to email me directly if you decide to reply to my comment, in case I forget to check back later
.-= Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Top 5 Ways To Make Money On The Internet =-.
Frank J
Sep 27th, 2009
Klaus,
Very true. It’s Paid Search, but still competition.
Michael Aulia
Sep 27th, 2009
Thanks for the info. I normally got turned off as well if I see the “High” advertiser competition numbers.. I should be more focusing on the search numbers rather than the advertisers’ results
.-= Michael Aulia´s last blog ..Free Ashampoo Burning Studio 2010 =-.
Frank J
Sep 28th, 2009
Michael,
Good point, you can’t compete with paid.
Teasastips
Sep 27th, 2009
I’m still learning how to read/decipher the keyword analysis tool I have. I’ve been using Web CEO in conjunction with Google Analytics and I’m trying not to spam my readers, but its really a delicate balance I’m learning.
.-= Teasastips´s last blog ..Legitimate Make Money From Home Opportunities =-.
Frank J
Sep 27th, 2009
Teasa,
It’s not rocket science, but sometimes it can seem that way. Read and read more!!!
Neva
Sep 27th, 2009
Very helpful. Thank you for a great post.
Frank J
Sep 27th, 2009
Thank you Neva for the comment!
Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills
Sep 27th, 2009
Thanks Frank, I need to be reminded of this often. I get caught up writing and blow off the whole keyword thing. “Bad SEO Blogger.” I’ll try to do better, but please don’t stop reminding me.
.-= Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..Validation, Approval, and Happiness =-.
Deneil Merritt
Sep 27th, 2009
It’s always fun to find out how much traffic we can get from keywords.
.-= Deneil Merritt´s last blog ..TechZoomIn Monthly Contest =-.
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Djembe Dude
Sep 29th, 2009
I find it useful to target the lower competition phrase like “how to remove viruses” first. Then once you have that market you can work on the bigger one. If it’s a great page “how to remove viruses” would probably work for both as it contains each of the most common search phrase.
Frank J
Sep 29th, 2009
Djembe Dude,
Thank you for the input it’s appreciated.