The Psychology Behind Selecting The Correct Search Terms For Your Online Marketing
Any good SEQ working for a reputable Search Engine Optimization Company, will understand the value of choosing the best search terms to target in the early stages of an Online Marketing campaign. Poor keyword selection will eventually result in poor Search Engine Placement and render the whole optimisation campaign redundant, as it would be extremely difficult to base a meaningful SEQ program on poorly researched, searcher unfriendly phrases.
Finding a list of good keywords is a bit of a science, by no means rocket science, but a science none the less. You see, a key word can be “zoomed in” or “zoomed out” by varying amounts. Zoomed in phrases are very specific and directly relate to a particular item or service. Alternatively, more ambiguous terms can be used which are more general and cover a wider area. Though keywords which are targeted, generally lead more often to the desired action, such as a purchase, or the searcher clicking a link to subscribe to email product notification, there are no wrongs or rights here. The underlying factor in determining the “broadness” of the keyword should be, are searchers likely to use the term and if so, will conversion happen.
Imagine working on a website called Ace Driving Instructor Training, for a firm that specialises in driver training instruction. An extremely obviously search term that springs to mind, is the term driving instructor. To the inexperienced, a general keyword such as this is a God send, as it would guarantee substantial amounts of traffic to the client’s website. The caveat is, the phrase is so broad or zoomed out, it would carry many to the site who simply want to use the services of a driving instructor, and not train to become one, therefore conversion would be low. Also, those brought to the site looking for driving lessons, would not be too pleased. Not good for your client’s general reputation.
Let’s ‘zoom in’ a little. Even though, it has less than half the used instances of the previous phrase, the keyword “become a driving instructor” is far more useful. It has high volume search usage and is totally relevant. The chances are, anyone sent to your clients website using this keyword, would be considering a career as a driving instructor and so conversion would be far more likely.
Zooming in even closer Google Ad word throws up a very specific keyword, “driving instructor training Wakefield”. Now it just so happens, our imaginary driving instructor training establishment is based in the West Yorkshire city. Great! you might think. Here we have a keyword that not only comprises of a very high ranking relevant search term, but also incorporates the location of the business too. Well there is a thing as being too specific. This keyword barely makes it into double figures in the Google search volume report. It seems that the people of Wakefield and indeed the most of us tend to be a little less specific when looking for particular goods or services.
An experienced SEO will always come up with a balanced list of keywords. Incorporating a mixture of both specific and more open phrases, is often the best way to go to achieve high Search Engine Placement. Remember, the client also has a say in keyword selection, after all, it is their business and the words they pick, must be balanced by those selected by the Search Engine Optimization Company.
Can good key word selection really be comparable to science? Probably not. But like many things, Online Marketing does include some strands of social science. You see, choosing the right phrases, is often [/spin] about relating to the psyche of a particular searcher, who’s looking for that particular something and balancing this with the needs of the client and the requirements of the search engine.