SEO – Search Engine Optimization: (from Wikipedia): “Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via “natural” (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results. Typically, the earlier a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine. SEO may target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, and industry-specific vertical search engines. This gives a web site web presence.

As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work and what people search for. Optimizing a website primarily involves editing its content and HTML coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines.”

Google is the number one search engine as it receives 272 million unique searches per day. That is more than 11 million searches per hour. Although MSN and Yahoo! have a share of the search market, the effort to focus ranking on Google far outweighs the others.  Although MSN and Yahoo! say they have a better conversion ratio in the Pay-Per-Click arena, there is no comparison to Google when it comes to organic  results.

The bottom line is that Google supplies a lot more traffic, which means you will make more money by using Google. Driving traffic to your website is the goal but ultimately you want your revenues to increase.  So converting that traffic is a big key for your SEO campaign to be a success.

It all starts with keywords… keyword phrases.  Knowing the keyword phrases that actually convert into revenue before optimizing your site is a step that must not be understated.  Using various keyword tools (like Wordtracker) will reveal the keyword data that people are actually searching on.  Choosing and testing those keywords for the potential to convert into sales is a crucial step that can be accomplished through a simple keyword tracking PPC campaign and then once these keywords are proven to convert… than the organic optimization process can be put in place.

While focusing on your core terms is vital, uncovering other phrases that will bring the right visitors to your site can set you apart from your competition and get you targeted leads quite quickly.

Here are some keyword research tips that can accomplish this:

Using Wordtracker or other keyword tools, it is best to utilize “action related” root words to see how that word is exactly being used within phrases. Words like: Take, Stir, Hold, Make, Create, Fix, Repair, Replace, Shift, Retract, Lift, Assemble, Cool, Start.

Explore keyword data with a focus on the natural power of prepositions. Examples of a few Prepositions:
From, Across, During, Between, Beside, Below, Inside of, Outside of, Over, Past Toward, Under, Through, Since, Until, Around, Against.

Explore the data with the flexibility of extreme opposites: Antonyms
Start, Begin, Best, Stop, Finish, Worst, Newest, Oldest, Advantage, Disadvantage, Always, Never, Common, Rare, Easy, Difficult, Exterior, Interior.

Keep in mind Seasonally related, News related, Topic related (common hot topics) keywords.  Also words that relate to all kinds of “Color”, “tools”, pricing “Numbers” and Semantics (supporting terms rather than exact topics).

Other words to consider at the start of the digging process:
How-to, Stop, Cure, Solution, Answer, Free, Learn, Treat, Quit, Help, Lose, Fast, Find, Deal, Offer.

Buying keyword modifiers like, Shipping , Delivery, Order, Cost, Price, Rate, Charge, Fee, etc., can open a door to phrases that you  may have never thought of or considered.

Using an optimization process utilizing your core terms, mid-level terms and long-tail keywords after an in-depth keyword research process will give you a big jump on your competition plus you will have a good list of terms you can build content around on an on-going basis.

Other posts you may like:

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2. Money Keywords Targeting High Value Return on SEO Efforts
3. SEO Systems for Top Search Engine Rankings
4. Search Engine Optimization Success by Developing a Master Keyword List For Your Industry
5. Organic SEO Company Giving Away Organic SEO Analysis Reports