Choosing Keyphrases

[stockmd]

My 20 natural keyphrases each have over 200,000 results when searched at Google. Another 400 related keyphrases found via WordTracker and Overture that I've researched all have at least 10,000 site results at Google. Even phrases with low WT numbers have thousands of site results. What is the best way to find keyphrases that are popular with searchers but not so hugely competitive in terms of site results? Thanks!

Carol Abrahamson
Extraordinary Homes

[DanThies]

It sounds like you're already familiar with Wordtracker, you may want to check out this recent article:
http://www.webpronews.com/wpn-4-20030708FindYourBestSearchTermsWithAdwords.html

[andybeal]

One to remember when considering the data with WT; it doesnt matter how many other sites are listed as competitors, you're only interested in the first 10 listed sites.

The more results you see for a search term, the better the word. If your website and individual pages are relevant then you should not feel threatened or put off by the number of competitors. If a search term has just 10,000 sites listed, that tells me that your competitors aren't concerned with coming up for that phrase, so why should you?

Obviously, if you see an opportunity for a search term that has little competition, then go for it. Just dont ignore the other search terms. Chances are, out of those 200,000 sites listed, less than 1% are taking the time to research SEO as in depth as you.

[paulduffield]

One site I run is a relocation site www.saunders1865.com "Relocation" is a very important concept for us. However, when analysing the word with word tracker and indeed searching on the word itself we dont stand much of a chance getting found on that word alone (- for a few months at least :-) ). Link popularity etc on some other relocation sites outstrips us dramatically for the moment.

So I use phrases like "international relocation" and "corporate relocation" to get us up on to page one and two sometimes three. Still not quite there and arguably I could even leave our words like moving and relocation as they would not get us anything of substance unless in the keyphrase.

However, I have found that putting in some words like UK , USA, Canada (our main markets) once again no good on their own, often make the difference when competing with the other sites. so someone searching for "international relocation to the UK" suddenly pops us in number two position on page 1.

Wordtracker and Web position gold are very good in many respects but there is another intuative dimension you can add to by combining "good" keyphrases along with "useless" popular terms.

Theoretically a complete keyphrase for "international relocation to the UK" would of course yield results but it is to restrictive and eats up key phrase space in the metatags. By the time I got in the canada/canadian/US/USA versions of it there would be little space for anything else. Multiply that up on the corporate relocation/executive relocation version etc and you can seen the problem. Keeping the "bad" words separate means they can be limited and they can then combine with the other phrases to good effect.

We dont get "relocation" or "UK" but "relocation to the UK" gets us on page one again. So a (great bit of jargon coming up) synergy is created by using the more difficult words. i.e. The sum is greater than the parts.

It still requires a human being to make these important judgements and the other software is a useful inspirational tool.

We have got extremely good results using this technique. So much so I am almost tempted to write an article up on it in more detail for people!

Web Position Gold is a great tool for starters and I use it for my other client sites but its reporter doesn't fully reflect the big picture of how real people search on the web. Its a great starting point and great for looking at some "good" key phrases. Arguably I should drop those "bad" words that get no where but that has seriously detrimental effect on the actual site visits and results.

So in summary use your "good" non competing keyphrases but top them up with words that normally you wouldn't stand a chance on. Be careful you dont dilute your keywords by having to many though. (about 20 is the rule of thumb I believe.)

Hope you find this useful.

Regards,

[paulduffield]

I thought I would just take a quick look at your tags to see if you are "hitting it" you seem to have the "bad" words listed but very few specialist/uniques phrases...? and perhaps to many words - trying to be to much to to many on one page...?

What about phrases like "interior design" "bathroom design" You will get +bathroom +design but possibly someone searching for "modern bathroom design" or "diy bathroom design" could be picked up if you have a word like DIY in there along with a bathroom design phrase.(Extend for kitchens etc)

Targeting a bit more acurately specialist areas will mean you pick up those markets and the more general searches in the process too.

Also whilst writing... I believe you need to revise your copy for humans again. Good copywriting is "what's in it for you". Your site has loads of paragraphs starting with "We" "Our" In effect (and please dont take this harshly it's just the phrase ) Stop "singing your own praises" and say what you can do for and how your client will benefit.

"YOUR bedroom design will be enhanced with the expert assistance YOU will recieve from us, YOU will wonder why YOUR life was not as comfortable and convenient as this before) is better than "Our expert assistance... " Our great design expertise... yes you need a bit of that of course but think where you are emphasing it.

I used to do direct mail consultancy and every time someone said to me "our last mail piece didn't work" I didn't even look at it and said I bet most paragraphs start with "We" or "Our" ... and guess what... :-)

Apologies for the epic posts but I found the excercise interesting and I hope you do to.

(I have pasted your keywords in here for ease of reference)

<meta name="keywords" content="remodeling, home improvement, ideas, affordable, low cost, inexpensive, built-ins, built-in features, convenience, home, house, building, builder, residential, new construction, remodel, function, functional, livability, comfort, safety, interior, architecture, architect, design, designer, decorating, decoration, homeowner, consulting, consultant, reports, lighting, storage, smart house, energy efficient, kitchen, pantry, bathroom, bedroom, foyer, entry, porch, courtyard, garage, family entrance, mudroom, den, great room, media room, dining, laundry, office, artist studio, wood shop, playroom, exercise room, patio, deck, aging in place, universal design, handicapped, custom, dream, luxury, upscale, high-end, million dollar, extraordinary homes, carol abrahamson, ken stoneburg">

Regards,

[JMac]

Hi there-

I've found it tough to compete with some of the handmade children's clothing sites out there. Then I found out that most people don't use the apostrophe in "children's" - still thousands of searchers DO used the apostrophe - the sites that I compete against don't optimize for the apostrophe all the time - that's why I come up in the top 15 for "handmade children's clothing" but I don't even know where I rank with "handmade childrens clothing". It's that little bit of grammar that can sometimes surprise!

[somethingelse]

you'd be amazed how many people can't spell, so don't forget to include common interpretations of words... of course, not all of them, but for example, one of my client sites get a surprising - though not monstrous - number of results from proffesional and corprate... i know, i had a hard time believing it too.

[BobinSD]

I think the previous comments mis-understood by search result numbers you presented. I think you meant "clicks", not search results. I searches on "home remodeling" on MSN address bar and found only 44 entries, and OV's are the top 3. You should buy into the top 3 to get some response, but before doing so, I implore you to remodel your website. Your business calls for "before" and "after" results only described by pictures. Get a camera, and get rid of the fine print. People that have remodeling money also have glasses. Give us a break! Good luck.

[CyberSkull]

Choosing the correct key words are the most important thing for your site. There are many companies out there that do this kind of work i think its work the penny becuase it can make or break your business on the web.