3 Ways to Determine If You’re Using the Right Keywords
How many times a day do you use a search engine? On average, there are 6,586,013,574 searches per day, 77% of which happen on Google.
Every time a search engine is used, your business has an opportunity to reach new patients or customers — but only if your website is visible for the keywords your potential customers are using.
A keyword is the word or phrase a searcher submits to a search engine to find information. For example, you may have arrived at this blog by searching “SEO Keyword Tips.” Google then crawls your website content for these keywords and then — based on over 200 factors — determines if your site’s content is the best thing to solve a searcher’s query.
You can help Google decide the visibility for your site by building your site’s content around certain keywords.
Sounds easy, right? Well, there are literally billions of potential keywords that your site can target. So, how do you know if your keywords are targeting your potential customers? Here are three ways to find out:
1. You’ve Researched your Keywords
Before spending effort on targeting keywords, you should make sure that you have done adequate research on each one.
First, look into the search volume in your target area. If there are not many (or any) searches being done for this particular keyword, spending your SEO time targeting that keyword is a waste.
Next, you should research how much competition there is for each of your keywords. More competitive keywords require more work to achieve and then to maintain rankings for.
Finally, what is the value of the keywords you’re targeting? Knowing what keywords contribute to your online conversions is important. One way to find this out is with a Google Ads campaign. Use this campaign to target select keywords and find out if they bring in conversions. If the keyword is successful, work on targeting that keyword organically on your site.
2. You’ve Diversified Your Keywords
After completing your keyword research, you have a healthy understanding of the search volume, competition, and value for each of your keywords. Use this information to diversify and expand your list.
One way to add to your list is by adding long tail keywords. Long tail keywords should include your target keyword, in a phrase. For example: instead of just using “asthma” as a target keyword, people may also search “what causes asthma.” Long tail keywords typically have less competition in search engines. Take advantage of that opportunity by putting your efforts into ranking higher for those keywords.
Continue expanding your list with question-phrased keywords. In a previous blog post, we told you that more and more searches are being done via voice instead of typed. When speaking these searches, people commonly phrase them as questions, such as “Can a doctor treat asthma?” Voice searches are not going away, so make sure your keywords are targeting its users.
“Diversify your SEO keyword list with long tail and question keywords”
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3. Your Content Matches Your Keywords
Your target keywords and website content should mimic each other. Your keywords should make it clear what information needs to be included on your website, and your website should make it clear what keywords you are targeting. For example: if you’re targeting the keyword “asthma,” there should be a designated section on your site that discusses asthma.
Don’t restrain yourself to targeting the keyword just in a service page or section; use the keyword list when planning your site’s blog strategy. Use each blog post to expand upon the topic, making sure to capture long tail and question keywords and answers to those question keywords within the blog.
Your target keywords and website content should mimic each other.
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Partner with an Award-Winning Marketing Team
Of course, you can spend hours slaving over these keywords every month, hoping to increase your rankings. Or you can let us do it for you.
Our team of experts has a proven track record of helping our clients make the most of their SEO. Give us a call, we’d love to help you!
Need more help with SEO? Check out our other articles:
The Search Results Page is Changing: What You Need to Know
Why You Need a Mobile Responsive Website
Established in 2000, Proclaim Interactive is an award-winning, think-out-of-the-box digital marketing agency located in Wilmington, NC. Proclaim Interactive provides website design, social media management, SEO and general marketing services designed to amplify clients’ messages. For more information call 910.795.4143.