Optimizing for the
Correct Keywords
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. Since the keywords that you decide to target
will be used throughout the optimization process choosing the
right keywords is essential. If you choose the wrong
keywords you will not be found in the search engines. If you are
not found in the search engines how will anyone find your site?
Since the keywords you choose to optimize your pages with are
so important we have put together some tips to help you make
sure that you make the right choices. You should utilize these
tips when selecting keywords for each page that you plan to
submit to the search engines.
1.
Think "specific keyword phrases" not "keywords". Why? Due
to the extreme amount of competition for general terms in the
search engines, if your keyword phrases are too general it is
very unlikely you will rank well in the search engines. You
stand a far better chance to rank well for specific phrases
where there is less competition. The resulting traffic, since it
is more highly targeted, should also be much higher quality too!
|
Here's an example for a
site selling shoes: |
2.
|
Much Too General |
Much Better! |
|
1. shoes
2. men's
shoes
3. women's
shoes |
4.
imported italian shoes
5. men's
leather penny loafers
6. women's
aerobic sneakers |
3.
Try to think like your target audience. What would
they search for when looking for the page you are optimizing? It
is very easy to fall in the trap of coming up with a short list
of what YOU would search for, but what about everyone else? They
will not necessarily use the same keywords as you. You should
try to come up with as many keyword phrases as you can think of
that relate to the page you are optimizing. Try asking a few
friends and family what they would search for when searching for
a site like yours.
4.
Check out your competition for ideas. Do a search using
keywords that you already know you want to target and click
through on the top sites that come up. Once on the site view the
source HTML code and view the keywords they have in their meta
tags - this should give you many more ideas! Make sure to only
use keywords that relate to YOUR site or page. To view the HTML
code simply click the 'View' at the top of your web browser then
select 'Source', or 'Page Source'.
5.
You should develop a list of keyword phrases, following
the tips on this page, for each page that you optimize
for the search engines.
<< All Search Engine Optimization Tips |
