Keywords selection is possibly the most critical stage of the SEO process. By keywords we mean any word or combination of words used to describe a web page's content or purpose. The right strategy
The single most important rule in SEO is "NO SPAM!" From every standpoint it's a bad business strategy unless traffic is solely based on advertising in questionable schemes such as banner pop-ups and the likes. First of all search engines might see through spamming as they identify those sites submitting too many pages to too many engines with repetitive keywords. Being identified as a spammer (for instance by an Open Directory or Looksmart editor) is putting your entire SEO strategy to death. Even successful spammers usually rank lower than others and drive minimal qualified traffic to their site. By contrast, careful but sustained submission for specific keyword phrases will pay off and bring substantial qualified traffic to a web site.
That's why your strategy should be based on careful optimization rather than brute force and flooding techniques. You will find, like we have, that it's the best strategy any web site can choose. On the other hand weaker strategies will delay or jeopardize your entire strategy no matter how good the intentions.
The pitfall of single keywords
Single keywords are made of one single continuous word, acronym or combination of characters. Historically they are the most searched-for terms. But trying to rank in Top 10 for the keyword like "Internet" on Google is nearly impossible. And so it goes for most keywords and engines. Any strategy based on single keywords is almost certain to fail for the following reasons:
- One single word hardly defines one's business
- Users search the web by using keyword phrases
- The number of competing pages is gigantic
Finding niches with keyword phrases
As the word implies a Keywords Phrase is a set of single keywords arranged together to form a more explicit keyword description. They allow a better target qualification and chances to be ranked in top position.
NOTE: Many major search engines, Google included, do not support "exact sentence" by default. Which means that searching for "blue widget" will also return results for "widget blue", and decrease the likeliness of Top 10 positions for keywords phrases which not specific or explicit enough. This emphasizes the importance of choosing the right keywords.
Choosing wisely
You should keep it simple:
Select the few keywords that define the best your core business and those activities you wish to publicize online.
For example: Caterers, Wedding catering, Event Planners
Run a search using Wordtracker (Check out Wordtracker Limited Offers) or Google Adwords keyword tools. Then select keyword phrases based on those keywords that yield the best ratio based on actual number of searches and competing pages found.
For more information about keyword selection you can download the Wordtracker Keyword Research Guide.
