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Search Engines Matter
Statistics show that 80-95% of all web traffic
originates from search engines. Need I say more?
Search Engine Optimization matters! Search Engine
Optimization (often referred to as SEO) is the
process of improving the volume and quality of
traffic to a website by improving organic or natural
search results. As search engines become increasingly
more competitive, websites that are able to distinguish
themselves and appear in the top of web searches
will prosper.
Optimizing the right keywords takes time, patience,
and lots of research. Consider these factors when
researching keywords for search engine optimization...
1. Competition
It is easier to obtain top ranking for keyword
phrases that do not have a lot of competition.
In other words, optimizing for terms or phrases
that have fewer sites competing with them is easier.
Some keyword tools not only assess the popularity
and variations of a keyword, but also determine
how many websites are competing for a specific
term or phrase. Less competition means that it
will be easier to obtain top ranking for a phrase.
2. Popular
The keyword term should be one that is searched
on by a decent number of individuals. What is
the point in optimizing a website for a keyword
term or phrase that is so obscure that nobody
ever searches for it? Sure, your site will be
#1 in those search results... but nobody will
ever see it because nobody will be searching for
that particular term or phrase.
3. More Is Better
More and more searches are conducted using multiple
words rather than single words. A common misconception
about keywords is that optimizing for a single
keyword will generate more traffic. Keep in mind
that it is very difficult to obtain a good ranking
for a single-word keyword. Keyword phrases that
are 2-5 words in length tend to be more targeted,
and will often perform far better than a single
keyword term. Single-word keywords are generally
too broad, and they also have too much competition.
Consider optimizing your web pages for multi-word
phrases.
4. Narrow Is Better Than Broad
Terms that are too broad may generate lots of
traffic, but the traffic will likely not have
a genuine or enthusiastic interest in the products
you offer. The optimized keywords or phrases should
be narrowly focused, but not to the point of being
obscure.
5. Variants And Stemming
Integrate word variants and word stemming into
your keyword list. Different search engines handle
word variants and word stemming differently. Integrating
different tenses and versions of a word throughout
your website and sales copy will help you capture
traffic, regardless of the word tense used in
the search.
6. Related
The web pages within a website should all be optimized
for related terms. Continuity throughout the website
will help reinforce the legitimacy of a website,
and will help it perform better in organic search
engine rankings.
Take the time to learn about search engine optimization.
The time will be well spent, and if done properly,
the increased traffic that will likely result
could turn into a steady stream of sales.
Related Articles:
How
to Optimize for Organic Search
Search
Engine Optimization Guide
Search Engine Spider
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Developer
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Search Engines Matter