The Big Deal About Keyword Research for Search Engine Optimization

When you use a search engine you put in a word or phrase to find web sites that contain information about that word or phrase. You are using what is known as a keyword.

Knowing what keywords people are using the most will help you when writing your content and structuring your site. By using the right keywords your links will come up in search engines high enough that people will click on them. And by setting up your site optimally for higher rankings you are getting involved in the 'science' of Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.

Keywords Must be Relevant
If your business sells widgets you don't want to write about Britney Spears just because you know lots of people like to read about her. Search engines go through your site and 'know' what your content is about. By writing about Britney Spears all of a sudden: "Britney Spears Loves Widgets!" you might get the odd visitor through a Google Alert, but your page will not get an inflated ranking on any search engine.

The Best Relevant Keywords
So how do you know which are the best relevant keywords? Well you know your business best, so you will have an idea about what phrases and words people might use in a search engine to find you. What you need to do is take your ideas over to a couple of keyword analysis sites like Google, MSN and Wordtracker, and see how often these search terms are being used.

If you sell widgets and you notice that the search count for that word is very high you will likely find there is a lot of competition for it. For a new web site with little credibility amongst the search engines, selecting more obscure search terms will yield better traffic for your site. Why? Because there may be lots of 'low key' searches going on cumulatively, that if tapped, can lead to a lot of traffic.

Search engine optimization for your web site is something that needs to be taken on from the get go. Why spend time building a site no one can find in the search engines? Do your keyword research and then get writing good, relevant [to your business] content.