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Using the right keywords in strategic places on your website can help propel your site to the top of the search engine rankings, but…
If you don’t know what keywords to use, use the wrong keywords, or just put them in the wrong places, and you might as well kiss any chance of a successful website goodbye.
Simply put - keywords and keyword phrases are what Internet users type into the search engines to find sites that have relevant information about the words they search on.
The results that Google, MSN, and Yahoo displays are based on those keywords, and that’s where your traffic will come from.
And they decide which sites to display based on the sites incorporating the keywords in the headlines, the copy, title tag copy, and other places.
Granted, keywords are only one part of the complex formulas search engines use to figure which sites to display, but they’re vital to web success.
If you just whip up your website without any regard to how your prospects will find it using keywords, you might as well give your money to charity.
In order for your website and strategy to have the best chance for success, you need to research keywords and keyword phrases.
You can find the best keyword phrases for each of your web pages using free keyword research tools such as:
http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/
http://www.seochat.com/
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
www.spacky.com
After you figure out which keywords you think will be most successful, make sure you use them in the title bar, page headlines, link copy, and sprinkl them throughout the body copy.
Just don’t overdo it in the copy by repeating the keywords over and over. Write the copy for your readers first, and for search engines second.
It’s a balance (and a lot harder) to write for people and search engines, but I firmly believe it can be done successfully.
After it’s in use for a few weeks, check your traffic stats. You also may find other keywords that might work better, so it’s always a good idea to test them, too. Just don’t make any othere changes at the same time.
In summary…search engine optimization and keywords is a whole industry by itself, with many so-called SEO experts often providing inaccurate information.
So be careful. Most times, simple, consistent application of SEO and keyword basics end up working better than “expert” advice.
For more information about keyword strategy, check out these resources:
http://www.searchengineworkshops.com/
http://www.seomoz.com/
http://www.wordtracker.com
What are your thoughts? Let me know.
To get more information about keyword strategy, SEO, the benefits of powerful copy, about this post, web/online advice, or about my direct response web copywriting services, e-mail me or call me at 603-686-5140.
And if you need offline direct response marketing copy and advice, go to www.crestviewmarketing.com
To your website’s success!
Merrill Clark
Website and Direct Response Copywriter
Crestview Marketing Services LLC
