Keywords are a crucial part of your website's SEO. People use keywords to
search for sites and, if you are not using these words properly, your site
will not be found. Thus, you will lose sales and money.
If keywords are done correctly it could mean substantial traffic and sales
for your online business. However, the process of finding and using keywords
is much more involved than you might think.
Read the following to see if you are making any of these mistakes with your
keyword research and usage:
1. Not Researching Your Keywords - To find the most successful and relevant
keywords for your site, you must do some research. Find out what keywords
are used the most and what people are searching for. Do not only take search
numbers into consideration. Use the most relevant keywords for your site.
You can find lots of free keyword research tools online.
2. High Keyword Density - The general rule for effective keyword density is
no higher than five percent. This means the keyword should not make up more
than five percent of the total amount of words in your content. So, if your
website page has 100 words, your keyword should be mentioned no more than
five times. More than this could be considered spamming and could lower your
rankings.
3. Not Placing Properly - Keywords need to be placed in certain areas for
maximum effectiveness. This includes your page title, headings and
subheadings, and first and last paragraphs. Gently and naturally use your
keywords throughout the content.
4. Not Reviewing Periodically - Many of us first make the mistake of
thinking that once we get the proper keywords placed and in use, we never
have to do it again. Do not make this mistake. You want to review and revamp
your keywords about every few months or so. Search patterns change, SEO
methods change and you need to make sure your keywords are still effective.
5. Not Being Target Specific - Using generic keywords can bring you more
traffic, but you want targeted traffic that will actually bring about a
purchase. For example: If you sell golf equipment, do not use the generic
"golf" as a keyword. Use more targeted keywords such as titanium golf clubs
and other specific phrases. This will bring in fewer people, but these
people will find what they are looking for and, probably, be ready to
purchase.
6. Not Considering Your Competition - When choosing your keywords, you need
to take into consideration the competition. Check what websites have top
ranking for your keywords. Do you have a chance at beating these competitors
or are they monster sites that will easily stay on top? If there is no way
you can beat your competition with those specific keywords, using them would
be a waste of time. Using longer keyword phrases with less competition might
make you more money.
7. Using Plural Keywords - This is a simple fix. Most people, when searching
for something, will use the singular, but be sure to check it out and make
sure. There are some words that are normally used as plural, such as shoes,
so it would get more searches. But, in general, the singular form might
bring you more results.
8. Using Single Keywords - Using a single word will not necessarily bring
the people you need to your site. Plus, the competition is probably way too
high for single words. If you sell cars, using the word cars is much too
broad. You need to use phrases such as gas-efficient Ford compact or other
very specific phrases.
9. Obsessing with One Keyword or Phrase - Do not just use one word or phrase
over and over. Choose several targeted and relevant phrases to sprinkle
about your site. Try to create a balance between target-specific and
traffic-drawing keywords.
10. Giving Up Proper Grammar for Keywords - Never, ever add so many keywords
to your content that the copy becomes grammatically incorrect or makes no
sense. Your copy has to be readable and professional. The search engines are
pretty good at passing over sites that do not use proper grammar. Make sure
you are not one of them.
Keyword research and usage is not something to take lightly. Learn all you
can to find and properly use the most effective keywords for your business.
The rewards could be substantial.
my motto is "Keep it simple" and "don't leave anything for tomorrow that can
be done today."
If you have any questions or comments please contact me.
Regards Gerald
Website: http://www.webcraft.ws
E-mail: gerald@webcraft.ws
Twitter: WebcraftGuru
Facebook: Webcraft Guru
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