Avoiding the SEO "Hunch"
This search engine optimization tip is brought to you by the Austin SEO Guy -- search engine wisdom for Austin, Texas companies.
It will never cease to amaze me how some website owners spend hours, weeks and months optimizing a website for search phrases nobody is searching.
An example:
I know an Austin-based company that sells graphic design services. Their company name and tagline make frequent use of the word "Awesome." So they optimized their website for the phrase "awesome design services."
They were so ecstatic when they began to appear on page 1 of MSN for "awesome design services" ... until I pointed out a harsh truth. Nobody is searching for the phrase "awesome design services" because it's entirely too vague and opens up a can of irrelevant worms.
In other words, they based their entire SEO strategy on one phrase -- and a useless phrase at that. Awesome design services could pertain to anything from interior design to flower arrangement. Not to mention the fact that you never build a website around a single key phrase.
There is no excuse for guessing at your key search phrases. There are a number of services you can use to research what key phrases people are searching. WordTracker (www.wordtracker.com) is one of the most popular.
A Happy SEO Ending
I taught the graphic design company how to identify relevant *local* key phrases and build a website around them the proper way. Now they appear for the right search engine phrases and get the right kind of inquiries ... local inquiries from qualified prospects!
Until next time,
Austin SEO Guy
AustinSEOguy.com
It will never cease to amaze me how some website owners spend hours, weeks and months optimizing a website for search phrases nobody is searching.
An example:
I know an Austin-based company that sells graphic design services. Their company name and tagline make frequent use of the word "Awesome." So they optimized their website for the phrase "awesome design services."
They were so ecstatic when they began to appear on page 1 of MSN for "awesome design services" ... until I pointed out a harsh truth. Nobody is searching for the phrase "awesome design services" because it's entirely too vague and opens up a can of irrelevant worms.
In other words, they based their entire SEO strategy on one phrase -- and a useless phrase at that. Awesome design services could pertain to anything from interior design to flower arrangement. Not to mention the fact that you never build a website around a single key phrase.
There is no excuse for guessing at your key search phrases. There are a number of services you can use to research what key phrases people are searching. WordTracker (www.wordtracker.com) is one of the most popular.
A Happy SEO Ending
I taught the graphic design company how to identify relevant *local* key phrases and build a website around them the proper way. Now they appear for the right search engine phrases and get the right kind of inquiries ... local inquiries from qualified prospects!
Until next time,
Austin SEO Guy
AustinSEOguy.com
