Keyword marketing is an important, but often neglected part of successful internet marketing. Judging from recent posts on small business message boards, there are a lot of misconceptions about making the most of this vital aspect of web marketing. We recommend the following article as a starting point. If you're marketing online and want to accelerate your progress, download a free trial version of WebPosition Gold. It's almost like having an SEO advisor with you every time you create a web page!

Choosing Perfect Keywords and Phrases

What's in a word? Everything, when it comes to choosing keywords (and phrases) to register on a search engine. In searching for keywords, you must be as discriminating as Goldilocks in her search for food and rest. "This one is too broad. This one is overused. This one is juuuuust right."

Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect keywords and phrases:

1. Think like your potential customer. Put yourself in his/her shoes. Ask yourself why they would be searching for a site like yours in the first place. But don't just go on your own ideas. Ask people for feedback. Use questions like, "If you were doing an Internet search for a (fill in the blank), what keywords would you type in first?" or, "What comes to mind first when you think of (fill in the blank)?"

2. Find lists of top keywords and phrases. Online resources are available to provide lists of the most popular keywords. The key is to find words that many people search with, but aren't being used on a lot of websites.

3. Location, location, location! If location is a big selling point (and it probably is if you are a service provider), then it should be in your list of keywords. If someone is searching for a landscaping service, they will search for one in their area. If you don't include a location as one of your keywords, all the other people who did will come up ahead of you.

4. Be specific! Using keywords that are too broad is a big mistake. If your keywords are too generic, your site will be lost within the bazillion other sites that came up. Use modifiers to make generic keywords and phrases more specific. If you sell skin care products, be specific about what kinds you sell. Are they anti-wrinkle, acne fighting, moisturizing? The more specific you are, the more you can pre-qualify your visitors. First identify your niche, then you can figure out how to attract the kind of traffic you need.

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