Keyword research
Keyword research is the process of finding out the words and phrases that your potential customers use online. We're all creatures of habit and what we type into the search boxes isn't random, it's influenced subconsciously by our language and culture. Our searches follow certain patterns, we share the same types of words, we're influenced by news stories and the latest buzz or fashion.
Many online marketers make the mistake of only doing keyword research at the start of a project. That's a mistake because people's search behavior changes over time. New products and new fashions emerge and with them, different keywords. These are opportunities you can capitalize on.
Keyword research is an ongoing process that you should build into your weekly schedule. You'll gain a deeper understanding of your markets, you'll spot emerging trends and new profitable niches before your competitors.
Use the following experts' articles to help you with your keyword research:
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Finding profitable keywords just got easier with Wordtracker’s new Keywords tool by Mike Mindel, 30 September 2009
Keywords with a high search volume and a low level of competition can bring search marketers quick profits. Wordtracker now helps you find these moneymaking keywords quicker, easier and more effectively than ever before.
Read: Finding profitable keywords just got easier with Wordtracker’s new keywords tool
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3 ways to build large keyword lists using Wordtracker's new Keywords tool by Ken McGaffin, 30 September 2009
Whenever Ken McGaffin wants to create a new website or add content to an existing one, he begins with keyword research. He spells out the reasons why this is so important, and demonstrates how you can carry it out with the aid of Wordtracker's new Keywords tool.
Read: 3 ways to build large keyword lists using Wordtracker's new Keywords tool
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How to beat Wikipedia to the top of Google...and CNN, the BBC, USA Today, ABC News... by Mark Nunney, 26 August 2009
With permanent search engine optimization (SEO) you can secure and defend the keywords you are successful for and find new keyword niches to target. Mark Nunney explains why SEO never stops and how you can use this to beat the toughest of competition.
Read: How to beat Wikipedia to the top of Google...and CNN, the BBC, USA Today, ABC News...
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The SEO pro's secret path by Mark Nunney, 18 November 2008
Your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) should focus on achieving success for the keywords that will deliver the most profit. That seems obvious but how do you find and prioritize those keywords? SEO pro Mark Nunney introduces the process so you can apply it to your own site.
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Why SEO for profit must target groups of keywords by Mark Nunney, 17 October 2008
You know targeting keywords is important, but targeting single keywords with your SEO is unlikely to be profitable – SEO for profit must target groups of keywords. Here we’ll tell you why and explain how.
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TrustyGuides.com uses Wordtracker as a market research department by Neil Davidson, 31 August 2007
In 2004, Christopher Cummings had a big idea for a new website. Then he realized that success depended on much more than a big idea. And it was something very new to him, the intelligent use of keyword research data.
Read: TrustyGuides.com uses Wordtracker as a market research department
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Keyword inspiration - Aaron Wall of SEOBook.com shares his secrets by Aaron Wall, 31 August 2007
Keyword research often starts with a seed list - a quick brainstorm of keywords that might be important. The better your keyword seed list, the greater your opportunity to generate a comprehensive keyword portfolio. Aaron Wall, author of SEOBook.com shares his secrets for generating a fantastic seed list every time.
Read: Keyword inspiration - Aaron Wall of SEOBook.com shares his secrets
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Pushing your keyword research beyond the norm by John Alexander, 22 July 2007
If your web pages are not focused on the right keyword phrases then you may find that other pages are much easier to find in the search results than yours.
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Keyword Basics Part 3: Choosing your best keywords by Ken McGaffin, 22 February 2007
You know how sometimes you make a list of say, three things and then by the time you get to the end of the list, you remember that there’s something you really must include and your list of three becomes a list of four? This is Part 3 of Ken McGaffin's Keyword Basics series
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Stop the slaughter of innocent copy! by Karon Thackston, 7 February 2007
It's one of the worst things to ever happen in the search engine copywriting field: the discovery of keyword density. Without any regard to flow or customer experience, website owners around the world began shoving keyphrases into their copy like wild men.
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High quality writing and keyword research create The Definitive Caribbean by Neil Davidson, 29 January 2007
James Henderson, an award-winning writer and an expert on the Caribbean is also the author of the Cadogan Guide to the Caribbean and The Bahamas, now in its sixth edition. He was in the perfect position to create a content rich.
Read: High quality writing and keyword research create The Definitive Caribbean
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Keyword Basics Part 2: Discovering the keyword matrix by Ken McGaffin, 28 December 2006
This is the second in Ken McGaffin's Keyword Basics series and a simple method for expanding your lists of profitable keywords. The secret of writing great online copy is simple: use keywords - the words people use when they search - in your copy.
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Three good reasons to target long tail keywords! by Stephen Mahaney, 22 December 2006
Seasoned professionals in the arena of online marketing know it's clever to use keywords that target potential customers who are "late" in the buying cycle. So, how do you find out what these keywords are? ...and why are they so important?
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Keyword Research Guide 24 November 2006
We created a fictional company, Virginia Veg, and asked experts to provide real answers to the problems facing its CEO, Susan Webster. The result is an e-book packed with insight, tips, and techniques on keyword research that you can apply easily to your own website.
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Find the keywords and you’ll find the marketplace by Ken McGaffin, 24 November 2006
Email
From: Ken McGaffin, Linking Matters
To: Susan Webster, Virginia Veg
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Exploring beyond keywords into behavioral research by John Alexander, 22 November 2006
If you have ever studied search engine optimization, then you'll know that most educators place tremendous importance on performing good keyword research. But for many website owners, their source of traffic is an after-thought.
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An ingenious way to use Wordtracker… that’s actually easier too! by Robin Nobles, 25 October 2006
You'll find most of your 'revelations' or 'insights' by using the Comprehensive Search feature of Wordtracker. Try entering one part of a search phrase and let the tool figure out the best 'full use' of the phrase.
Read: An ingenious way to use Wordtracker… that’s actually easier too!
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Keyword quality and the Wordtracker database by Ken McGaffin, 6 October 2006
Search engines get bombarded with automated queries from ranking monitors, popularity analyzers, bid optimizers and other tools. This deluge of non-human activity distorts keyword counts, and if it is not identified and eliminated will leave you with very poor keywords.
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When keywords don't deliver by Nick Usborne, 25 November 2005
If you've been working with keyword optimization for a while, you know there are times when some great keywords drive tons of traffic to your site, but the resulting conversion rate is terrible.
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How to choose keywords before they skyrocket in popularity by John Alexander, 25 November 2005
Long before the days of researching phrases with the helpful online resources of today, keyword selection was often left to guesswork. However, guesswork is just not good enough in highly competitive standards.
Read: How to choose keywords before they skyrocket in popularity
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Why keywords matter by Ken McGaffin, 23 November 2005
Why do some sites get a lot of traffic and others zero, the following diagrams helps to show why this happens.
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The ultimate keyword primer by Stephen Mahaney, 27 October 2005
Every aspect of crafting a website-for-profit revolves delicately around carefully chosen and strategically placed keywords. Behind the scenes of every top-ranking sales page lies a company's systematic campaign to win dominance in an escalating battle over specifically targeted keywords. The stakes can be high. Billions of $$ have already been earned and billions more are in the queue waiting to be tapped.
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Keyword phrases in linking text by Ken McGaffin, 27 October 2005
Often simple things really matter. And the use of keywords in linking text is one of those simple things that turn out to be hugely important. Linking text, sometimes called anchor text, is the clickable text that takes people to another page or resource. You need to choose that text carefully.
