Keyword Search Optimization
It starts with a solid Keyword Search Strategy
Keyword search optimization is probably a familiar concept to you if you've been blogging any length of time. The number of ways to get free traffic to your blog are abundant. Ranking in the search engines for relevant keywords is one of the most targeted methods. Searchers who take the time to type in a keyword phrase are looking for specific information. When your website advertises that it houses that information, through keywords, more searchers will click through to your blog.
I learned this fact the hard way when I first started out as an affiliate marketer. I began back then by using Google's Adwords to promote products but then came the famous "Google Slap" that affected just about everyone. This change at Google caused me to reconsider building my own web pages as a way to generate free organic traffic for my affiliate products
The extra effort of performing keyword search optimization will help search engines better understand the purpose of your website, and do it in a faster manner. Targeting highly searched keywords, along with properly placing them in your content, enables search engines to rank your blog higher because your it's the most relevant for the search.
Stuffing: Great for Dinner, Not Keywords
Keyword density is a measurement for the number of times a keyword appears in your content. There are varying opinions about the significance of keyword density. A general recommendation is to use keywords every 100 words. So if your blog post is 300 words long, then include your keyword at least 3 times to get a 1% keyword density.
The positioning of keywords is important. Include them in:
* The beginning of the title
* The first sentence
* The article body
* The last sentence
Write Naturally with Keywords
Search engines reading your content is not the end goal. Keyword search optimization is a means to the end-bringing interested prospects to your blog. Therefore, it's essential to sound natural when writing with keywords.
Focus on creating a valuable blog post first and worry about keywords second. Keyword search optimization is great for bringing the traffic. However, well crafted and compelling content will convert browsers to subscribers and buyers. Never lose sight of writing content with your reader's needs in mind.
More is Not Always Better
Strategically employing keywords makes it possible for low quality content to rank high in search results. Search engines are aware of this optimization method and make every effort to penalize bloggers who abuse the practice. Keywords are useful both to search engines and searchers, serving as gateways to the information they seek. There's no need to take shortcuts and stuff your content with keywords in hopes of better rankings. It's about being relevant, not redundant.
Keywords Are Not Enough
Google as well as other search engines are considering more than keywords when they evaluate your site. Links to your blog, links from your blog, and site structure are just some of the many factors used to rank a site. Ultimately, all of these factors facilitate the task of determining how the information you offer meets the needs of visitors.
Keyword search optimization is a strategic way to capitalize on free search engine traffic. Even so, it's still important to offer quality resources in order to make the most of that free traffic.
Keisha Foster is an online marketing strategist, whose web savvy will position your business to attract more leads and customers online. Certified as an Inbound Marketing Strategist, through Hubspot-an industry leader in web marketing-her specialty is in developing measurable marketing campaigns using SEO.