Using Keywords to Attract Search Engine Traffic

Using the correct keywords to attract targeted traffic is vital to increasing website sales. Use the wrong keywords and you may get traffic but if they aren't targeted to your niche, they will not be interested in what you have to offer.

A keyword can be a single word or a phrase, depending how your keywords are used in the search engines. Consider how people may be using certain terms to search for something. If it is a name brand product, then it could be a single word. But more than likely, the majority of keywords are a phrase.

Finding the major keywords often takes digging down from your core keyword. Start with your main keyword and then make a list of 5 or 10 keywords that can be used in conjunction with your main keyword that describes your website. This way your website will show up under different search engine searches.

Google has a free tool that aides in the process of brainstorming for keywords "Adwords Keyword Tool," Enter a list of keywords and it will suggest related terms.

Once you have a list of keywords, you will want to find the keywords that are being searched and how many searches. There are free tools for this also, Wordtracker, Keyword Discovery, SEO Book, and a few others. Google also has a keyword tool but understanding the exact amount searched is more difficult. Google's keyword tool is done with a graph where as the others give you the number of searches plus competing pages listed.

The ideal keywords will have a lot of searches with low pages listed in the search engines. These are your golden nuggets if you can find them.

Upon getting your keywords, find 10 to 15 keywords that best describe your site and are found within your site. It is suggested to start with no more than 10 keywords and test them first to see if you are getting the desired results. These keywords will be used in your articles, ads, and blogs as well.

Using the right keywords is what is going to drive that traffic from the search engines. The right or wrong keywords can make or break a business. Choose your keywords wisely. Once you get targeted people to your site then it is up to you to convince them they need what it is you have to offer.