Keyword Development; The path to internet success - page 3

by David Harry, 8/11/2006

Where to start building keyword lists?

There are a number of ways to get started. Once you have some potential KW/P combinations move into your competitive analysis phase to further refine the lists.

Words people would use to find your site/product/service
Problems that you site is the solution for ie; 'Web design solutions'
Competitor's websites; Have a look at the top site's code for meta keywords.
Keyword selection tools (such as Overture, mentioned earlier)
Page copy of top competitor sites
Existing searches; look into your log files and see what terms are getting you traffic.

The Final Word

For me, all research and planning aside, test and tweak is the name of the game. As I develop a foothold with a certain phrase, I work to increase and maintain it's positioning. I work on new ones and watch for any nibbles. Some I give up on and start again while others stay on the 'maintenance' list. Trial and error will get you there.

That brings me to 'analytics'. Web analytics or metrics, is the process of collecting, tracking and analyzing traffic via a plethora of server log file analyzers. Most hosting companies supply some basic form of this. I suggest putting out the $100-200 for more detailed programs.

But that's another story, for another day.

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About the author

David Harry is a business consultant of 15 years and currently works providing Search Engine Optimization and Marketing Services

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