Moe Tamani's Internet Marketing and SEO Blog, Articles and Search Engine Optimization Tips » seo

Search Engine Optimization and Keyword Research: 5 Steps to Get You Started

Seomul Evans — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:24:45 +0000

Search Engine Optimization and Keyword Research: 5 Steps to Get You Started

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Keyword research is one of the most important aspects of search engine optimization, but if you’re new to SEO then you may not even know where to start to figure out which words you should optimize your pages for. Here are 5 steps to get you started in keyword research.

1. Use the Right Tools. There are plenty of free keyword research tools available; so many, in fact, that you’ll likely not have to pay any money to do your research. Many search engine optimization experts and internet marketers use Google’s Adwords tool to research keywords. But don’t completely write off the option of paying some money for keyword research. An advanced tool that might actually cost money can give you really helpful information that a free tool can’t, such as how many other websites in your niche are optimizing for the same keywords you’ve chosen.

2. Specificity is Key. Let’s say that you sell unicycles in Modesto, CA. Instead of trying to rank for the word “unicycles,” use the word “unicycles” as well as your specific location. Remember that the search engines reward websites that provide the most relevant information possible, so if you have a potential customer in Modesto looking for unicycles, and if she uses those search terms, she’s more likely to find you if she can find you by product and by location.

3. Attainable Goals. If you’re just starting out or if your industry is competitive, avoid the temptation to try to rank for keywords that are popular with searchers and those for which everyone else is trying to rank. Rather, you should try to rank for less popular keywords and those that not everyone is trying to rank for. It may seem counterintuitive but it works if you keep at it long enough. Also remember that many users will misspell keywords so try to rank for common misspellings of your keywords too.

4. Use PPC to Test. Once you’ve chosen keywords, make a landing page optimized for those keywords and create a PPC campaign. This will tell you how many people came to your page and which search terms they used to get there. You can also find out how long they stayed on your page and if there were any conversions. This information can help you choose only the most effective keywords before you actually complete your total search engine optimization campaign.

5. Latent Semantic Indexing. Latent Semantic Indexing, or LSI, tools can help you find keywords related to the keywords you’d like to rank for. Search engines will see not only that your website is optimized for your chosen keywords, but that you also include terms and phrases that are related to your chosen keywords. This increases your website’s relevance in the eyes of the search engine and increases the likelihood of higher rankings and increased traffic to your website.

If you’re unsure about keyword research or feel like you need some professional help when it comes to this endeavor, consider finding a local search engine optimization expert to help you out. Not only can he or she guide your keyword research, but he or she can also point you to the best tools and help you become as specific as possible as you come up with your keywords. An SEO professional can help you test your keywords and help you use other analytics that will help your overall search engine optimization efforts. So if you’re new to SEO or just feel like you need some expert guidance, contact other businesses in your area for recommendations of local SEO experts or internet marketers. Their help can make a huge difference in the success of your business and you ultimately can’t afford to make a go of it without them.

Search Engine Optimization and New Websites: 10 Things to Remember

Seomul Evans — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:18:02 +0000

Search Engine Optimization and New Websites: 10 Things to Remember

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Creating a new website can be exciting and fun. Just remember that it can also be challenging as it takes time for your search engine optimization efforts to get results. Here are ten things to remember as you promote your website.

1.Keywords. Make sure your keywords are in all the appropriate places on your website. This means that they’re included in your content and in your meta tags. Along with keywords, ensure that your site architecture is search engine friendly as well. If you don’t have a site map then add one right away and make sure search engines are blocked from indexing your site by Flash or by navigation that uses only images.

2.Press Releases. One great way to get the word out about your website is sending press releases. There are several aggregators to which you can send your release, one of which is PRWeb. Your press release should include a link to your website, and your target phrase should also be hyperlinked.

3.Submit to Search Engines. Search engines have evolved enormously since the days when submitting your website to a search engine made a difference in the amount of time it took a search engine to find your website. If it gives you some peace of mind then by all means submit your site to the search engine, but only do it once. What you should submit, however, is an XML sitemap. If you’re not sure how to create an XML sitemap, there are plenty of tools available online.

4.Submit to Directories. The key to submitting to directories is to ensure that you only submit to the most relevant categories. The idea behind submitting to a directory is that the search engines will give you credit for a backlink to your website, and the way to really add value to the backlink is to make sure it comes from a site that the search engine consider authoritative. DMOZ is still considered authoritative by many search engines.

5.Build Links. Backlinks are among the most valuable search engine optimization tools. Search engines view inbound links to your website as ‘votes’ for your site. The more votes you have, the more value the search engines assign to your website. There are multiple ways to building links to your site so do a little research and start building.

6.Market Your Articles. Article marketing is a great way to promote your business and get inbound links all at the same time. Article marketing allows you to establish yourself as an authority in your niche market and you get credit for an inbound link each time another person posts your article on his or her site.

7.Social Media. Social media is widely accepted as a great way to market online businesses even thought it is still very new as a marketing tool. Pick two or three popular social networking sites and create profiles. You could use Facebook to build a community of people interested in your product or service, or you could use YouTube to upload videos about what you have to offer. Not only do you get backlinks to your site from these profiles, but you also help get the word out about you and your business. Social media can seem daunting because it is more subjective than directory submission or keyword research, but it’s a great way to benefit from the online communities that are available.

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to promote your website, or if you need help creating an overall internet marketing strategy for your business, consult with an internet marketer or search engine optimization professional. They can help you promote your website and create a marketing plan that will get your name in front of your target audience, increase your search engine ranking, and drive traffic to your website.

Search Engine Optimization and Setting Yourself Apart: 6 Basics

Seomul Evans — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:13:48 +0000

Search Engine Optimization and Setting Yourself Apart: 6 Basics

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

If you’ve spent any time at all becoming familiar and search engine optimization and internet marketing strategies then you’ve probably heard how important it is to differentiate yourself from your competition. Never is that more important than during an economic recession when you and all of your competitors are vying for the business of those who are very picky about how and where they will spend their money. So how do you set yourself apart? Here are 6 basics.

1.Ask for opinions. Everyone loves to feel like what they have to say is important and valuable. Use testimonials and product reviews on your website. Not only will potential customers pay more attention to what current customers say, but those whom you ask to provide testimonials will feel as though you value their opinions. One great way to approach this is to use audio clips, which can be as simple as taping a conversation on the telephone.

2.Video. Videos that contain your call to action can be very compelling to potential customers for several reasons. First, videos contain a personal touch that the written word can’t always convey. Second, a well-done video makes you look technologically savvy and professional, which always makes a good impression on potential customers. Third, they allow you to demonstrate your products and service in ways that photographs can’t. After you post the videos to your website, upload them to YouTube as well.

3.Use Pictures. You can almost never do too much personalizing of your website. There is the possibility of going overboard, but you should also make sure that your website allows your potential customers to get to know you and your staff. Pictures included on your About Us page are a great way to do that, along with short biographies. Visitors will be more willing to trust you if you’re willing to show them some of yourself as well.

4.Social Media Marketing. Social Media is a great way to set yourself apart and make good on all of your search engine optimization efforts. Set up profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to start and engage in the communities present there. The point of using social media is to make connections, not to go for the hard sell, so set aside an hour or two each week simply to visit these sites and see what the conversation is all about. Add relevant information and helpful advice where appropriate and chances are that you’ll start attracting your social media connections to your website. This goes for blogs as well. Commenting on blogs is a great way to call positive attention to yourself if you do it respectfully and with a sense of collegiality instead of salesmanship.

5.Be Clear About Your Value-Added. Many times when I make a purchase I ask the salesperson, “Why should I go with you rather than your competitor?” Whether or not your potential customers ask that question directly or not, that’s what they’re thinking when they visit your website. Make sure your website answers that implicit question. Make it clear why your visitor should choose you and not the other guy. It doesn’t have to be explicit, but that question should be in the forefront of your mind as you design and write copy for your website.

6.Expanded Descriptions. Let people see multiple dimensions of your products. Provide pictures that offer several views and close-ups to help convince your customers that your product is the one they want.

If you’re still not sure how to stand out from the crowd, consult with an internet marketing professional or search engine optimization expert. They can help you create a overarching marketing strategy that will clearly differentiate you from your competition and increase your profits.

Search Engine Optimization and Social Networking: 5 Keys to Success

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:41:27 +0000

Search Engine Optimization and Social Networking: 5 Keys to Success

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Social networking is a great search engine optimization tool that can result in higher search engine rankings and increased traffic to your website. Since social networking is fairly new, however, many small business owners and marketers are reluctant to try it. Here are 5 keys to making social networking work for your business.

1.Location, location, location. There are forums and message boards out there that address just about every topic you can think of. You may have to spend some time hunting for those that apply to your business. When you find them, pay attention to the most recent posts since those are the ones that most users will still be visiting and commenting on.

2.Lurk. Once you’ve found the boards that relate to your product or service, just hang out. Don’t post anything; just read and watch. Find out how the people in this online community relate to each other. Observe the informal rules of engagement. What do they talk about? Do they joke around a lot or are they primarily straightforward in their interactions.

3.Tread Carefully. Once you’ve watched for awhile and feel like you are ready, create an account and begin posting. But remember never to directly promote your business or post advertisements unless there is a specific place on the message board for doing so. Not only do most forums and message boards not allow direct advertising but you are also likely to turn off your target audience to you and your business if they feel like you’re only part of the community to make a hard sell.

4.Create a Profile. When you sign up for an account on the message board or forum you will have the chance to create a profile. Fill out as much of the profile as possible. An empty profile will raise the suspicions of the other participants and you risk them not taking you seriously or suspecting that your intention is just to participate for the short term. Also create a signature. A signature consists simply of your name and a descriptive link to your website. This is key. After you begin contributing to your online community and establishing yourself as an authority, other forum participants will be interested in you and want to see what your business is all about. They will hopefully be motivated at some point to clink on your link and see what you offer.

5.Contribute. The best way to participate in the online community is simply to be yourself and enjoy the company you find there. You will have ample opportunity to offer advice and wisdom to others in the forum, but make sure that your interactions are natural and never contrived. People will see right through you if they feel like you’re being disingenuous for the sake of selling them on your product or service. So just participate like you participate in any other community. Speak up when you have something worthwhile to say and keep your mouth shut when you don’t. Eventually you want to be seen as a leader and an expert by the other forum or message board participants. You will accomplish this by being genuine and vulnerable in your interactions. It won’t happen overnight, but you’ll eventually see that your online community wants to know more about you and what you have to say.

Social networking can be a challenging but effective search engine optimization tool. Challenging because it is more subjective than things like keyword research and link building, but effective in that you will compel people to visit your site by becoming a trusted friend through forums and message boards. People are more likely to buy products or services from people they trust, and social networking is a great way to build the trust of your target audience.

Search Engine Optimization and Viral Content: 3 Ways to Make it Work for You

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:40:36 +0000

Search Engine Optimization and Viral Content: 3 Ways to Make it Work for You

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

The whole point of search engine optimization is to drive traffic to your website. One of the best ways to do this is to create viral content, content that is sure to make news and travel fast. The key to viral content is to make sure it doesn’t appear that you contrived it simply to drive traffic to your site. It must always be legitimate content that your visitors perceive to be helpful and informative. Here are 3 ways to make viral content work for you.

1.Simplicity. Viral content should be interesting to a wide variety of people, not just your niche. Make your writing simple to understand and avoid using any jargon. Overall, your content should attract a general audience.

2.Encourage Sharing. One great way to encourage your readers to share your content is to add social media site buttons to the bottom of the page. These make it simple for your readers to bookmark your content and thus share it with others quickly and easily. Another strategy is to use an email form that lets your readers email your content to other who would be interested. You can also use HTML code that allows your readers to embed your audio or video into their own websites.

3.Keep Up. Pop culture is a great topic for viral content. Make sure your content is timely so that people will read it. Yesterday’s news does not make for good content.

4.Request Contact Information. Anytime you use viral content, you should always request that your visitors opt in to something, whether it be a newsletter or a regular email update about your business. Even after your content is no loner fresh in their minds, you can still keep up with them and tell them what’s going on with your business if you have their email addresses. When you keep your name always before your potential customers, you increase the chances that they will think of you when it comes time to purchase a product or service that you offer.

5.Images. These are great for viral content because they appeal to large audiences regardless of language or location. People who are turned off by large amounts of content are typically lured to images because they’re simply interesting to look at for whatever reason.

This talk of viral content begs the question, then, about how to get your visitors to notice your products or services once they have found your website as a result of your viral content. One option is to feature your products in the sidebar. Another option is to include a link to another piece of content so that your visitors are compelling to remain on your website even longer The longer a visitor stays on your website, even if he was initially attracted by viral content, the more he will learn about you and what you have to offer. When that happens, the chances that he will purchase your products and services will increase, as will the likelihood that he will tell others about you too.

Internet marketers are great resources if you want to learn more about how to make viral content work for your business. They can tell you exactly how to use it, and how to convert customers who arrive at your website as a result of viral content. They can give you pointers on the best times to use it and how to use it most effectively. So consider the opportunities provided by viral content and see how it can enhance your overall search engine optimization strategy. You’ll be glad you did when you see your increased search engine ranking and the additional traffic being driven to your site.

SEO: 5 Tools for Analyzing Your Website

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:39:25 +0000

SEO: 5 Tools for Analyzing Your Website

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

You may have performed every SEO trick in the book, but if you’re website isn’t converting then all of your SEO efforts are for naught. Fortunately, there are some really great tools available that will help you analyze your website and make it perform for you. Here are five:

1.SEO Analyzer: This is a free tool that provides a lot of helpful information. All you have to do is enter your URL and wait a few seconds for the tool to give you all the information you need to improve your site’s optimization. And at the end you get an overall score on a 100-point scale. Not only this, but it gives you a report on every aspect of your website, including inline styles, obsolete HTML, and download time. There are certainly some more comprehensive tools available, but few are as good as this one for the money! It also uses different languages, making it helpful for businesses all over the world.

2.Website Grader: This is another free tool that works in much the same way as SEO Analyzer. It provides a great deal of detail in a short amount of time, although it takes a little longer than SEO Analyzer, and tells you all you need to know about optimizing your site, making your SEO efforts easier and less time-consuming. In addition to the information provided by SEO Analyzer, this tool tells you how many del.ici.ous bookmarks you have, as well as grading both on-site and off-site SEO. In the end you get a badge to post on your website that will tell your visitors what grade you were awarded.

3.AWStats: This is more of a log analyzer than an analytics tool, but it still provides valuable information…and it’s free. Like SEO Analyzer, it is available in multiple languages. It’s primarily helpful if you’re wondering who’s visiting, what search engines your visitors use, and when your visitors are showing up to your site.

4.Crazy Egg: There are three different versions of Crazy Egg to choose from. The standard version costs nothing, while the other two do cost a little bit. Crazy Egg allows you to see what visitors do when they get to your site. It even has a heatmap to show you the exact mouse movements made by your visitors. The heatmap helps you see exactly where on your site your visitors make the most movements. This sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite simple and easy to use.

5.Mint: Mint is the only tool listed here that isn’t free, but $30 is money that you’ll recoup in increased traffic once you take advantage of the invaluable information that Mint can provide. Mint gives you great information like unique referrers, popular pages, and number of visits. Compared to the free tools available, $30 might seem a little steep, but the information provided by Mint is exceptionally helpful.

While analytic tools can potentially be very helpful, some business owners don’t feel that they understand enough about the tools to make the most of the information they have to offer. If you find yourself feeling this way, don’t hesitate to contact an SEO expert or internet marketing professional. These folks have a solid understanding of analytical tools and how to use them. They can tell you which tools will be most helpful for you, and they can help you make changes to your website based on the information provided by the tools. So don’t hesitate to get professional help. You simply can’t afford to maintain an under-performing website, especially when your competitors are doing everything they can to get traffic to their sites using the most innovative, cutting-edge tools available.

Search Engine Optimization: 4 Keys to Convincing Visitors That You’re “The One”

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:38:02 +0000

Search Engine Optimization: 4 Keys to Convincing Visitors That You’re “The One”

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Article marketing is a key component of search engine optimization and one that business owners ignore to their detriment. Article marketing is important because it can result in multiple backlinks to your website, which increases your search engine ranking, and because it helps you establish yourself as an authority in your field and therefore someone that your potential customers will want to do business with. Newcomers to the concept of article marketing may find the prospect intimidating, however, and there are several reasons why. The first is that they may not know what to write about. The second is that they simply might not understand how critical article marketing can be to the success of their search engine optimization efforts. If you’re not sure what to write about or how to optimize the effectiveness of your articles, here are 3 tips to get you started.

1.Educate. If you’re already doing business selling a product or service, then there’s no doubt that you’re an expert in the field. One of the most valuable and helpful things that experts can do is to educate other people who want to know more. Write articles about topics related to your product or service, and make sure those articles pass along ample amounts of the knowledge that you’ve gained over the years of learning about and marketing your own product. “How to” articles are a great way to get started. Not only do they allow you to pass on valuable information, but they lend themselves toward formatting with bullets or numbers. This kind of formatting is optimal because it breaks your information into manageable bits that your readers can digest easily and quickly. They also help you establish your expertise in your field. The more readers feel they can trust your information, the more likely they are to purchase your products or services.

2.Utilize the resource box. Each time you submit an article you have the opportunity to complete a resource box that appears below your article. The resource box allows you to enter information about you and your company, as well as a link back to your website. This link is a powerful tool. Not only will search engines give you credit for that particular link, but you’ll get credit for links from every other site that posts your article as well. Make sure your resource box includes your name, a short biography, a compelling reason for your reader to visit your website, and your website address.

3.Consistency. The key to article marketing is consistency. You can’t make the most of article marketing simply by posting one article and then forgetting about it altogether. Create a plan to create and submit articles on a regular basis. Chances are that your efforts won’t pay off for up to four to 5 months, but if you are consistent you will eventually see the results. Search engines give credit for backlinks every few months, so even though you may be accumulating a number of backlinks to your website, the search engines may not be giving you credit for them. But when you do get credit for them, you’ll see a big difference in your ranking. Submitting a few articles won’t make a big difference, but submitting a few articles every few weeks may make the difference you’ve been looking for. Remember that slow and steady wins the race. Don’t give up just because you don’t get a big payoff right away.

Article marketing is a great search engine optimization tool, but only if you stick with it, use articles to establish your expertise and authority in your field, and utilize all the aspects of article directories to their fullest potential. So don’t wait any longer to make article marketing part of your SEO strategy.

SEO and Article Marketing: The Anatomy of a Good Article

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:37:24 +0000

SEO and Article Marketing: The Anatomy of a Good Article

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Few internet marketers are unaware of the importance of article marketing to their SEO efforts. But many internet marketers neglect this important tool because they feel that they don’t have anything good to say, they feel that they can’t write well enough, or they just simply don’t want to do it. But article marketing is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Not only do you increase your search engine rankings by getting quality links to your website, but you gain credibility with your target market because they feel that you have something important and relevant to say about your industry. Here are three keys to writing a good article that will get you and your business noticed:

1.Pick a Good Title. The title should clarify the subject of the article. If you don’t clearly communicate your article’s topic in the title, you’ll serve only to confuse and frustrate your audience. The title sets up expectations about the content, so be sure to meet those expectations in your writing. Your title should also include your primary keyword for which you’re doing SEO. If you’re optimizing for a phrase, make sure that the phrase includes no more than three words. If possible, include a secondary keyword in the title as well.

2.Write a Good Opening Paragraph. If your title was compelling enough to catch a reader’s eye, then you’ve already done some good work. Continue that work by writing a quality opening paragraph. The opening paragraph should take your title and expand on it, and should outline for your readers what they should expect to learn by reading your article. This is the key for marketing yourself as an expert in your field. People will judge your competence and your professionalism based on how much valuable information you can provide in your article.

3.Keep the Reader Reading. The body of the article should tell the readers what you told them that you were going to tell them. In other words, this is where you ultimately deliver on the promises you made in your opening paragraph. Your concluding paragraph should summarize the article and should be just as compelling as your opening paragraph. Readers will often skim an article, reading only the first and last paragraphs, in order to decide whether the whole thing is worth reading. So don’t peter out at the end and leave your reader with a weak conclusion.

4.Summary. This is separate from your article, but you should never underestimate its importance. It may be the only thing a potential reader reads, so make sure it will motivate your readers to check out the entire article. And don’t forget the resource box. This is most important part of the whole process for SEO purposes. The resource box gives you the opportunity to link back to your site and thus build up the quality inbound links that search engines value so much.

If you’re still not sure how to go about getting started in article marketing, spend some time looking at article directories. Find the articles that have been viewed the most and take your cues from those authors. What is their writing style? What do they write about? Are they formal or informal? Do they use technical language or language that laypeople would understand? You’ll learn a lot simply by observing what other successful people do. And if that isn’t enough help, consider talking to an internet marketer. An internet marketer or SEO expert can help you determine how to integrate article marketing into your overall marketing plan so that your search engine rankings will increase, more traffic will visit your site, and your revenues will increase!

SEO and Conversion Rates: 9 Points to Consider

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:36:25 +0000

SEO and Conversion Rates: 9 Points to Consider

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

In the end, the number of visitors to your site isn’t nearly as important as the number of visitors who actually become your customers. This statistic, also called a conversion rate, can be greatly impacted by SEO, or search engine optimization. Here are 9 points to consider if you plan to use SEO to increase your conversion rate:

1.Watch the competition. Find out your competitors’ conversion rates. How do they compare to yours? If your competitors have higher conversion rates than you do then it may be time to consider what steps you need to take in order to increase yours. SEO can have a huge impact on conversions, so rather than making excuses about why your conversion numbers are low, start optimizing!

2.Be Careful How You Use Testing. Testing can reveal a great deal of helpful information, but it’s not the same as optimizing. In fact, it’s probably best to think of testing as the last step in a successful optimization process.

3.Do Something Now. There’s always room to improve your conversion rate, so do one thing today that will make a difference. Use your web analytics to find out which of your pages have high bounce rates and then fix those pages. This is a great time to call on the help of an SEO expert or internet marketing professional who can pinpoint the exact problem. This will save a lot of time and effort on your part.

4.Admit it When You’re Wrong. SEO is not an exact science. Sometimes optimization approaches work and sometimes they don’t, depending on a host of factors. So if you’ve tried one approach that doesn’t work, try something else. You’re only hurting yourself and your business if you insist on sticking with a strategy that’s not helping, or even hurting, your conversion rate.

5.Don’t Be a Copycat. Just because a strategy works for another business doesn’t mean it will work for you. Feel free to try different strategies, but don’t assume that SEO is a cookie cutter process.

6.Trust the Professionals. If you decide to pursue services from an SEO professional, seriously consider what he or she has to say, even if you don’t think it will work. These are people who have years of experience under their belts, and who can actually show you whether or not something works with testing, so at least give it a shot. This doesn’t mean that you should unequivocally trust a professional whom you feel is leading you astray, but in most cases it’s in your best interest to give him a shot.

7.Commit Yourself. . Remember that SEO isn’t a magic bullet. It takes time to produce results and it requires a commitment to keeping the SEO process going for a long time. So if you don’t see results immediately, don’t give up. Stick with it, try multiple strategies, and soon you’ll see improvements in your conversion rats.

8.Start Early. The best time to optimize your site is in the process of creating it. This saves an unbelievable amount of time, money, and hassle. Consult an SEO expert early in the game to help you construct a website that’s optimized from the very beginning.

9.Learn to Love the Quickie. Take your laptop to a friend’s house one evening and ask her to go through the process of ordering from your website. This is a great test of usability and gives you a place to start if you aren’t sure how to start the optimization process.

If you’re not converting your visitors, you need to do something. You need to do something now. Contact an SEO professional to help you pinpoint your trouble areas and fix them. You’ll see an increase in conversion rates—and profits!

SEO, Keyword Research, and Inbound Links

Seomul Evans — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:34:30 +0000

SEO, Keyword Research, and Inbound Links

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

If you’re really serious about your SEO efforts, then you need to know exactly which words people will type into the search engines when looking for products and services similar to the ones you are selling. These are called keywords, and they are the focal point of most SEO. Now, you probably already know that one of the most important ways to drive traffic to your website is by getting plenty of inbound links. Since the search engines reward websites with multiple inbound links from relevant, authoritative websites, it’s in your best interest to get as many links to your site as possible. Even more important, however, is getting inbound links that contain the keywords for which you have optimized your pages.

For the sake of example, we’ll pretend that your website is about unicycles. You build unicycles, repair unicycles, and teach people how to ride them. You’ll probably have a difficult time getting a high ranking for a search that only uses the word unicycles. But if you can figure out other that people use to search for the products and services that you offer, then you probably have a chance of getting high rankings for those. Here are the next steps you should take in your SEO keyword efforts:

1.Narrow down your keywords. There are several great tools available for doing keyword research. Pick your favorite and type in the keyword around which you plan to optimize your page. In just seconds you’ll see a whole list of the words and phrases that people use most often to find products or services like the ones you offer.

2.Find Successful Keywords. Google’s Adwords tool is great for this. When you type a keyword into the box and press Enter, you’ll end up with a whole list of keywords that are related to the one that you typed in. You’ll also get a whole list of other keywords that might work for you. You’ll see little bars under the heading of Advertiser Competition. Pick one or two words whose bars are less than half green. Those are the words that have less competition that the ones whose bars are mostly green.

3.Check out the Competition. Once you’ve found two or three keywords and phrases in the previous step, go to Google and type in: inanchor:“the keyword I just picked.” All the pages that you see are those with whom you would be in competition for the keyword or phrase that you just chose. You’ll notice that the list is much shorter than the list you saw when you just typed in unicycles.

4.Build Your Backlinks. Once you’ve chosen your keywords and optimized your pages around those keywords, it’s time to build some backlinks, another very important SEO task. Much has been written on effective ways to build backlins, but three of the most obvious are including a link to your webpage in your signature file and then posting to forums that are related to your product or service, commenting on blogs and leaving a link back to your webpage, and engaging in article marketing strategies.

Keyword research is one of the most important SEO tasks that you will undertake, so be careful that you don’t give it short shrift. And if you’re really serious about SEO, then consider consulting with an internet marketing expert to discuss the keyword research that you’ve done and to get pointers on optimizing your pages around your chosen keywords. These professionals can also help you build quality backlinks to your site, which will results in higher search engine rankings and therefore more traffic to your site. When you see what a different a little keyword research can make in the success of your business, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t done it sooner!