As a web content writer, one of the hats that I wear is search engine optimization specialist. Every SEO expert has their own techniques, but I’d like to share some basic search engine optimization rules.
People search for products, services and companies using search engines, like Google and Yahoo, with “keywords.” We want the right keywords placed in the correct area of our web site so that Google will find them, rank our web site on the first page and people will find us.
Often times web sites use very generic keywords, like “movie.” That is a huge mistake because you’re going to have enormous competition on the web, check it yourself, do a Google search for “movie.” Your web site or blog will be buried.
You want to use specific keywords that have fewer competing web sites. Also, the more specific the keyword the more likely you’ll convert it to a sale.
For instance, “mystery novel” could be searched for an enormous number of reasons. But the keyword “new releases mystery novel” brings you a specific audience that is probably buying.
If we do a Google search for new releases mystery novel, we find that one of my clients, mystery author Stephen J. Cannell, is ranked on the first page, near the very top.
Okay, so how do we find the best keywords?
Wordtracker.com and KeywordDiscovery.com are both pay services and the most effective tools that I have used. Both deliver accurate keywords that are actually being searched for by real people. They both offer free trials (as of this posting).
Speaking of free, here are some free keyword/SEO services:
Google Trends
Updated 24/7, this great Google tool tells you the top 100 keyword search terms on Google. It changes quickly, but if you optimize a blog post quickly with these hot keywords, you can catch a lot of traffic!
Google Search-Based Keyword Tool
The Google application gives a full list of keyword ideas customized to your website, based on actual Google search queries
Google Adwords Traffic Estimator
Usually used for PPC advertising, the Google Adwords Traffic Estimator is also helpful to get search volume data and estimated daily clicks by geographic area.
Google AdWords Keyword Tool
Normally used for PPC advertising, the Google AdWords keyword tool can find niche keywords with high traffic possibility. Enter your main keyword and the tool will return a list of related keywords.
GoRank Keyword Density Analyzer and GoRank SEO Tools
The GoRank Keyword Density Analyzer provides reports on your web pages’ keyword density including occurrences in meta-tags, headings, alt tags, links, etc.
Google Insights for Search
A keyword tool from Google that allows you to compare keywords by search volume over time. Google Insights gives you the option to filter by geographic area and provides a list of related and rising terms.
Google Rankings Ultimate SEO Tool
The Google Rankings Ultimate SEO Tool analyzes your web pages for keyword density. It provides useful options and reports show occurrences for terms including 1, 2 or 3 words.
SEO Chat Keyword Density Tool
The SEO Chat Keyword Density Tool is another tool for analyzing the content of your website.
Microsoft adCenter Labs – Keyword Forecast
Microsoft’s Keyword Forecast tool allows you to compare keyword impressions over time while providing basic demographics for each term.
Once we have keywords, where do put them so that Google and other search engines can find them?
1. Title Line. This is above the web site page and actually on the top of the browser. On this page, the title line keywords are: Web Content Writer How Does Search Engine Optimization Work best seo companies on the east coast Search Engine Optimization Services Programs
2. URL Address. You should always put keywords in the URL address, because Google favors the top of the web site for ranking (that includes the title line mention above).
Here is this blog post (that you are reading) URL address, I have bolded the keywords:
http://www.sanvicentemedia.com/Blog/web-content-writer-how-does-search
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3. Headline tags. These are also known as h1 and h2 tags. They hold the headline of your blog or web site.
On this blog post the keywords the h1 headline/tag is at the very top: “How Does Search Engine Optimization Work.”
The h2 headlines/tags are “Why Is Search Engine Optimization Important” and “Search Engine Optimization Services Programs.”
I got those keywords from Wordtracker.com in a search for “SEO.”
There are more SEO techniques, but those are the main ones. If you’re looking for someone to help you SEO your web site or blog, search engine optimization is one of my specialties!
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