What are site keywords and why are they important?

Keywords are the words and phrases that people enter into search engines when looking for websites. When indexing websites, search engines look at all of the content on your website to determine which words or phrases are associated with your website.

You want to make sure that you target the best possible keywords and have them setup correctly on your website. This will help you get the best search engine rankings for your keyword terms.

Tips for picking/using good keywords

• The best keywords are 2 to 4 word phrases that describe what you do and that visitors to search engines are likely to search for.
• Focus on phrases that you think are commonly searched.
• Try some searches. Visit the websites that are returned. Look at their pages to get ideas.

Keyword mistakes

• Single word terms - your site is not likely to be included in a single term search.
• Keywords that are too broad and not relevant to what you offer.
• Keywords that are too specific or unpopular.
• Focusing on highly competitive keywords.

Create your keyword list

1. Get a piece of paper and write down your keywords/phrases. Remember, your keywords are phrases that you think people will enter into search engines when trying to find your website.
2. Visit websites of competitors to get more ideas for your keywords,
3. Prioritize your keyword list, by placing more important phrases on top. You will want to make sure the top phrases are used on your website.

Where should keywords be used on my website?

When search engines are indexing your site they look at many different areas to determine which phrases are associated with our website. You want to make sure that you have your keywords positioned in the correct places. The optimize website section of the search engine manager will contain more detailed information on setting up your site with your keywords.

1. Page Content
2. Page Browser Titles
3. Page Names
4. Text Links
5. Meta Tags

Keywords are MORE than just meta tags.

Many people associate your site keywords with the site Meta Keywords (Meta Tags). Meta Keywords are placed in a special section of your web page that is not visible when looking at your website. Many search engines do not even use the Meta Keywords, so you want to make sure you have your keywords properly setup in all areas of your website, not just the Meta area.