When a person is looking for information on the web, they usually go visit a search engine like Google, Yahoo or MSN and type in some words that will best describe what they’re looking for. These words that are used by Internet surfers are called Keywords.
In search engine optimization, keywords are absolutely important. They are commonly used in conjunction with the search engines to generate a free source of targeted traffic to your web site (Organic traffic) . Keywords enable Internet users who need your product, service or information to find you. Therefore, it is a critical task to choose the right keywords to optimize.
Using Google Keyword Tool
The best reasons why one should use Google Keyword Tool in doing your basic keyword research is because it’s accessible, FREE and easy to use.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guideline on how to utilize Google Keyword tool in doing your keyword research and analysis.
1. Open Google Keyword Tool. Think of a general keyword that would best describe what you do or what your website is all about. A better option is to put yourself on your customer’s shoes. Think of any word that you believe your customers would search for on the search engines to find you.
2. Once you have your chosen general keyword in mind, type it in one keyword or phrase per line. You must enter the correct captcha code and then hit Get Keyword Ideas.
3. Let’s say you are optimizing an abstract art website and your chosen general keyword is abstract art. The Google Keyword Tool will show up various keyword results and additional keywords to consider as well. You can see that the keyword abstract art has hundreds of thousands of searches just for the month of April.
It may seem to be a good keyword to target because of the fact that it could drive thousands of visits per month. But consider doing this next step.
4. Open Google search engine of your target country. Type in abstract art and see the total number of results.
You’ll notice that there are 32,400,000 competition for that keyword. For a new site, it is nearly impossible to rank that keyword. So this implies that even if a keyword appears to be a good keyword to target because of the high volume of searches, you should still consider checking the total number of competitors for that certain keyword.
5. Your next move is to review back the results you got from Google Keyword tool and look for keywords that have reasonable amount of searches (your best judgment shall be used). For me, a reasonable volume of searches is around 500 to thousands of searches.
6. List down those keywords and then check for the number of competitors on Google search engine. Pick out those with reasonable amount of seaches with competition less than 2 Million. Ranking these kinds of keywords are absolutely doable.
Got keyword research related questions? Hit me a comment.
I'm a freelance Search Engine Specialist with almost 2 years experience in this arena. I'm also in the medical field but preferred to do freelancing to gain more independence, flexibility in working hours and to have more time for my loved ones. I have proven results in ranking keywords with corresponding (deep link)landing pages on the TOP 3 pages of Google Results.
The “advertiser competition” bars on the adwords keyword suggestion tool can give you a great quick indication. You can quickly see the ones with relatively high search and low competition, so you know which ones are likely to be worth further research.
Hey there, Rebecca. Nice to hear from you… I will make a post on understanding Google Keyword Tool and will make sure to share what you have mentioned.
How’s everything goin’ with life, work? I missed working with you…