How to Determine Which Keywords Are Best for My Web Site

Keywords can bring traffic to your Web site. You may want to bring in people who are ready to buy. You may want to take the opportunity to persuade someone who isn't yet convinced.

Whichever audience you target, the right keywords will draw them in. So how do you figure out which keywords will be best for your site?

Things You'll Need

• Strong idea of your customers
• Web browser
• Internet connection
• Knowledge of your competitors and how they advertise
• Understanding of Wordtracker or Overture and how they determine keyword effectiveness
• Ability to look at your site and marketing objectively

Instructions

1. Determine who your customer is. Be as detailed as you can be.

2. Figure out what your customer wants. Write down questions about your product or service that your customers would ask.

3. Read your Web copy as if you were your customer. Identify the points that draw you in; make notes.

4. Brainstorm possible keywords based on your customer profiles and the key points of your site.

5. Compare your list with the keywords that your competitors use on their sites. Take advantage of the valuable, relevant keywords that these sites use to add to your list of potential keywords and key phrases.

6. Use a search tool like Wordtracker or Overture to determine which of your keywords customers use when searching.

7. Use the most effective keywords to market your Web site.

Tips & Warnings

• Always focus on your customers and how your product fulfills their needs.

• Avoid using keywords that are not useful for promoting your site; don't focus on keywords that your customers do not use when searching.

• Do not use popular keywords that are not relevant to your site just to draw visitors.