Choosing the right keywords is an important first step for a successful SEO campaign. Select the right keywords or keyword phrases, and you'll see your traffic skyrocket!

The idea is to develop a list of relevant targeted keyword phrases specific to your products or services. Avoid using common or generic words, and you should not target a single keyword. Given the millions of documents indexed in the Web and the number of possible ways to interpret a single keyword, doing this can be more misleading than helpful. Research shows most people use phrases of 2 to 4 words when searching. People have come to learn that just typing in one keyword in a search will get them thousands of records they simply do not need. Therefore, they combine two or three keywords in their searches.

For example, suppose you are an accounting software development company and you target the word "software". Your potential customers will have a hard time finding you; there is no way for a searcher to determine whether your site is for "software download", "anti virus software", "music software", "software retail store", or other software related products. In this case, it is essential you add a second or third word to clarify the meaning of "software" as it would apply to your site. So, you should use keyword phrases like "business accounting software", "custom accounting software", "accounting software development", and other search terms and phrases that are highly targeted to your precise business. Targeting on single or generic words is a waste of time; it won't bring you qualified visitors interested in your web site's content and products.

It's best to focus on specific keywords or phrases rather than general words like "ecommerce", "computer", or "insurance". If you're an insurance agent, what kind of insurance agent are you? Rather than selecting the word "insurance", you would want to use something more specific, perhaps "term life insurance", "low cost life insurance", or even "Free life insurance quote". Aside from the fact there will be less competition for a specific keyword phrase, most searchers normally use two or three word search phrases anyway.

Advantage of Using Keyword Phrase

Using multiple word keyword can get you a broader keyword coverage. For example, if you are an insurance agent, and you choose "Free life insurance quote" as your keyword phrase, there is a possibility your site will be top ranked when people search on the following terms: "Free insurance quote", "Life insurance quote", "Insurance quote", "Life insurance", or any combination of the words within your keyword phrase. On the other hand, if you target on "Insurance quote", your site will not be top ranked in the search result when "Free Insurance quote" is searched. We suggest using keyword phrases consist of 3 to 4 words.


Keyword Selection Tips

There are several things to consider when choosing keywords and phrases. Here are a few tips to help you in selecting good and appropriate keywords:

1. Brainstorm the right keywords. The keyword should specifically describe the product or service you are offering. Begin by writing down every imaginable keyword your potential prospects will be most likely to use when searching for your site.

2. Don't use keywords or phrases that are too broad. Avoid using generic words or single words; instead, use phrases of 3 to 4 words specific to your products or services. Most people will use multiple word phrases to find you, particularly when single words do not provide adequate scope for the search. Searchers have come to realize that typing phrases will give them more relevant and targeted results.

3. Put yourself in the shoes of the type of visitor you want to attract. List what kinds of keyword phrases they are likely use in a search. This requires you to separate yourself from your product, service or web site and think like the average Joe who might want to find you, but knows nothing about your site.

4. Ask your family, associates, clients, and friends what words and phrases they would most likely use to search for products or services like yours.

5. Review your competitors' keywords. It's a good idea to look this up to get ideas on some you might have missed. Don't copy anyone else's material as you don't know how it was generated. Just look for an idea or two to supplement the keywords you've generated yourself.

6. Use geographic location. If your location is key, include it in your keywords. For instance, if your site offers real estate services in Hollywood, it would be important to include "Hollywood real estate" in your keyword list. You might also consider "Southern California real estate" for those searching with a slightly broader perspective.