Search engine optimization (SEO) is really the realm of fundamentals – not trickery. Yes, there have been some tricks that can exploit temporary algo weaknesses. Google is getting faster at fixing those weaknesses. IMHO it is no longer profitable enough to follow the “churn and burn” method. I see greater potential in long-term methods and that means fewer tricks and more fundamentals.
SEO Fundamentals: Techniques for Finding Great Keywords
Yes, you need to do a little keyword research – but no need to spend hours chasing after 1000’s of search terms. For most small businesses who does business locally, 10 to 20 relevant keywords is a sufficient start and will only take an hour of your time to uncover.
How do you find keywords that are relevant to your business? The process is pretty straightforward – First, create a short list of your primary services. Use at least 2 words. For example “siding installation”, “day charters”, “hair styling”, etc. In each instance, there is primary word (siding, charters, hair) that we can take and run through a keyword suggestion tool (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal) to see how your potential customers search for your business services. Select the “Local Monthly Searches” tab to sort by high to low. What are you looking for? Look to find search terms that are highly relevant to your business, either by type (vinyl siding, cedar siding) or more importantly by ‘action’ (siding installation, siding contractor, siding installer), as these search terms reveal a searchers intent and are highly valuable to your business.
Next step is simple – create a short list of areas you do (and want to do) business in. Keep it real. A list of 100 cities and towns is probably overreaching. Start with your physical location and work out from there, maybe 5 or 10 miles.
What will you do with these keywords? Answer – everything. You’ll use them in establishing your websites information architecture and navigation (Home | Siding Installation | Siding Products | About Us | Contact). They’ll be used for file naming (siding-installation.html). And actively linked within your website copy (ACME Siding is your trusted siding installation expert in Provo, Utah).