How to Choose the Right SEO Keywords

By Kovich On March 11, 2010 Under SEO

Choosing the right keywords to target in the major search engines is an integral part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Such a task may sound cumbersome and difficult (especially for Internet marketing novices) but doing so is far easier than you might think. Here are a few tips to help you select relevant keywords and phrases for your site. (Just yesterday I wrote a post that covers the importance of keyword research here.)

Determine who your target audience is. Who is your website marketed towards and who purchases your products or services? Think about how old prospective customers may be and where they live.
Based on your target audience, write down specific terms and phrases you think they may use to search for the products or services you offer. For example, if your website sells toys, relevant keywords may include “childrens toys,“ “toddler toys,” or “kids games.” Remember: Organic SEO is the best way to make money online.

Consider choosing long-tail terms instead of broad, general terms. Long-tail terms refer to search terms that are very specific and are typically comprised of two or more individual terms. They may not yield as high a volume of traffic as broader terms, but they are considerably easier to rank for. For instance, it may not make sense for you to target “toys” considering the high level of competition in that industry. A much more cost-effective term may be “kids learning toys” or another term that encompasses a specific category, brand, or product you carry. If you offer a geographically-based service, consider using your location in the term (e.g. “New York caterer.”)

Once you’ve narrowed down your keywords, research the popularity of each. There are a handful of tools online that allow you to research the approximate number of people who actually search for those keywords online. While a particular keyword may garner more searches than another, keep in mind that choosing specific keywords can increase the likelihood of your website appearing near the top of the search engine results pages. Always make sure that your keywords are relevant. If someone is searching for ‘puzzles’ you wouldn’t want to bring them to a site about racing games.

For best results, think narrow and deep. Focusing on just one or two keywords at a time will yield favorable results faster and cost less money than trying to target a whole slew of them simultaneously.

Note: Keep in mind that you might want to consider using SEO software to make the Search Engine Optimization process automated and easier to understand. In fact, many SEO software programs can also help you determine the best keywords to target for your website, taking the guess work out of the process. One tool that I personally enjoy is located here. Search engine optimization services can give your website the cutting edge against competitors. Consider SEO during the website development phase.