Keyword research is one of the most important aspects of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). That is why it is so important to perform critical research before you formulate your list of keywords. Then you must apply and continually manage those keywords in order for your SEO efforts to really make a difference.
Create an initial list. Before you actually begin the SEO process, try to first come up with an initial list of keywords that you think you may want to go after. These should include obvious keywords that are most relevant to your business and words and/or phrases that pertain to your industry.
Find out with how well your site is currently ranking. There are a number of valuable tools available on the Internet that allow you to find out how well your site is ranking. You can find out where your site current falls within searches as well as which keywords are allowing your site to rank. If you are already ranking for particular keywords, start with a focus on improving your rank with those. However, don’t limit yourself. You will probably need to optimize for new, additional keywords in order to truly improve your rankings.
Use a keyword suggestion tool. While you don’t want to conclude your keyword list with hundreds of words that are unattainable and unrealistic to top, keyword suggestion tools can be extremely helpful in the creation of your list. They are a great way to also discover keywords and phrases you may not have thought of. Google and Wordtracker are the most popular tools, but others are available. However, be aware that not all keyword research and suggestion tools are free.
Finalize and prioritize your keyword list. Once you finalize your list of keywords, you will want to prioritize that list. Begin by assigning a priority percentage to each keyword, with the most relevant keyword having the highest percentage to the least relevant keyword with the lowest percentage. Think of it this way: What percentage of customers is searching for each particular word? Are 100% of your customers searching for any particular keyword? Probably not. Just use common sense.
Your list of keywords should be ever-changing. Once you go live with your new SEO efforts, you will want to keep a close eye on how well your new keywords are performing. Which keywords are being searched the most and generating the most traffic? Which keywords are performing as expected? Which keywords are exceeding your expectations? Which keywords are not doing as well as you expected? Pay attention to trends, good and bad, and revise as often as necessary without harming your efforts that are working.
SEO, especially successful SEO, takes time. It takes patience and most importantly, it requires a lot of attention. But ultimately, it will pay off if you not only keep up with it, but truly invest your time and energy into making it the best it can be.
Download my free keyword research report to learn more about why keyword research is vital to creating endless streams of traffic and income.
