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The Basics of Keyword Research

Guest post by: Craig Whalen

Article Overview: Keyword research is as much an art as it is a science. The search engines have very complicated processes for determining which web pages show up in search results, and in what order. Although most of the inner workings of the search engines are not made public, it’s generally accepted that one of the irrefutable truths for search engine success is the importance of keyword research. And despite different viewpoints, keyword research and the whole keyword optimization process, is a skill that anyone can learn. But, again, you’ve got to be willing to do the work.

The Basics of Keyword Research

If you're reading this article, then you probably already have your own, or know that you want to start your own internet business. But it can be difficult and a little overwhelming to figure out where to start. In fact, once you start doing your initial research you could easily go into ‘information overload'. The fact that there is so much advice out there shouldn't be surprising. There are hundreds of thousands of people trying to get their slice of the internet marketing pie. It can be a little discouraging, but don't let it get you down. Though it may appear that the market is too competitive, you need to remember one thing: 97% of those who attempt internet marketing fail. They don't fail because it's too difficult. They simply aren't willing to do the work. Most are looking for a get rich quick deal and they give up when they discover that, like any other business, there's a good deal of work required.

So, provided you're prepared to do some work, let's talk about keyword research for your online business.

Keyword research is as much an art as it is a science. The search engines have very complicated processes for determining which web pages show up in search results, and in what order.

Although most of the inner workings of the search engines are not made public, it's generally accepted that one of the irrefutable truths for search engine success is the importance of keyword research. And despite different viewpoints, keyword research and the whole keyword optimization process, is a skill that anyone can learn. But, again, you've got to be willing to do the work.

Keyword research is ultimately designed to help you find highly targeted traffic, position yourself high in search engine results, and find a market that you can build your business around. Effective keyword research includes your understanding:

• How search engines use keyword phrases to provide search results

• How to attract ‘targeted visitors' and why this is an essential part of keyword research

• How to find a market to focus your keyword research efforts

• Competition for your search engine traffic

• Various tools that you can use to perform quick, accurate, and FREE research

• How to promote your business and website by using basic keyword concepts

Some great resources to use to start your keyword research are:

Google's Search-Based Keyword Tool

Google Adwords Keyword Tool

Wordtracker's Keyword Suggestion Tool

Effective keyword research and application will allow your prospective customers to be able to find you when they're searching for your valuable information. The search engines will position you in the top pages of their results. Your competition will be sidestepped, and eventually shoved aside, and you'll be able to build a profitable business from the get go instead of struggling, throwing the metaphorical spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, and losing money along the way.

Keyword research, when conducted with a specific strategy, can lead you to an online business that sells. It doesn't matter what your business model is, what you're marketing or who your audience is, you and your business will profit when you integrate keyword research into your business building strategy from day one.

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Article Tags: keyword optimization, keywords, search engines, traffic
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com



Related Forum Posts
Re: What I'm reading this weekend - Feb 18, 2011 - Hi Evan, Thank you for a great list as usual, I haven't had the chance until now to read them as I spent all yesterday helping my father to re-build half of his house (or it seemed that way,LOL) I will make a start reading them today and I particularly like the look of Keyword Research in Google Webmaster Tools, thanks again, Mal.
Most Useful SEO Tools For Webmasters - Hi, My name is Jeff, I work for WebBizIdeas.com and we are developing an article called "50 Most Useful SEO Tools for Webmasters." We have ranked & listed our top 30 SEO Tools but want to get your opinion on what SEO Tools are most useful to you; as Internet Business Owners. Google Webmaster Tools Google Analytics Google Alerts Yahoo Site Explorer SEOBook.com Keyword Research SEOBOOK.com SEO For Firefox Tool SEOBOOK.com Search Engine Rank Checker SEOBOOK.com Back Link Analyzer SEOChat.com Keyword Difficulty Compete.com Quantcast.com Alexa.com Archive.org Stompernet Site Seer Technorati.com PRWEB.com ADDTHIS.com SHARETHIS.com EzineArticles.com Scribd.com Squidoo.com YouTube.com StumbleUpon.com Reddit.com Digg.com Del.icio.us Wikipedia.org Flickr.com NewsVine.com Yahoo Answers NOTE: When you list your answers please include a description on what the site is, why it is important to you, and your experience please....we may include it in our article. Jeff
Re: Keyword Selection - Hi All, Very interesting topic of discussion! Website success mainly depends upon the target keywords so the keywords should be relevant to website theme. Long tail keywords often rank easily in SERP. You can also use Ad word Keyword tool for keyword selection. Keyword having less competition and high monthly search volume are easy to rank.
Re: Best Internet Marketing Strategies - I'd disagree with the first point. Keyword research is important, but it should not be the complete focus when doing niche research. A niche is typically made up of thousands of keywords, and researching them all is very difficult, because the keyword tools won't tell you what most of them are. Plus a niche is not a bunch of keywords, it is a demographic interested in a particular topic. You need to learn about the people in this demographic. Keyword research tells you their search habits and gives clues to competitiveness and potential profit, but you are looking at through a very narrow window of a much bigger picture.
Re: New SEO Tool from WordStream - Looks like a new one. Need to explore for its intuitiveness. I use IBP and Keyword elite. Thanks Robert


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