Keyword Research

So much has been written about the importance of keyword research that we only provide the basics below.

Keyword. A word or phrase that is used in a search engine query. Optimizing a site entails researching the keyword or keyword phrases that users enter in order to find websites and optimizing a website around those terms.

Keyword density (aka Keyword rich.) Refers to a Web page that contains relevant content to the topic at hand. Usually used to refer to the need to repeat keyword phrases within the body copy of a website. Search engine algorithms give higher ranking to a site that contains the keyword phrases that a user is searching for.

While keywords on the page play a large role in which page is deemed more relevant by the search engines, no one really knows an exact percentage. That’s why we’re advocates of professional online copy writing.

Your goal should be to write naturally and incorporate the keyword variations and modifiers that both help a page rank for a greater range of keywords as well as looking more natural to search engines and visitors alike.

Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI). A conceptual extension of keyword research, LSI is essentially a technology that allows search engines to determine what keyword a page should rank for even if that keyword isn’t found anywhere on the page (or in the anchor text of the links pointing to that page.) There’s much debate in the SEO community about the validity of this information retrieval technology. Wolfram|Alfa is the latest to enter the field.

Keyword research. The act of researching what particular words and phrases are used to find relevant websites. Keyword research is one of the most important aspects of SEO as it allows a Webmaster to write the content of their site in a manner that will help them rank highly for those particular phrases.

A final word. On any given day, 30-35% of keyword searches are unique. Keyword research tools are a necessary beginning place, but knowing the needs of your prospects and customers is equally important. Try to get into the mindset of your visitor and “key-in” to what they want.

Not ready for the complete works? That’s okay. We’ll get you started with the keyword research. Just fill out our form or pick up the phone and call us today!