Homebuilders.com

Keyword research is the foundation for all natural search engine optimization techniques. The objective is to know what search terms are reaching your target audience. A chosen list of keywords will ultimately be selected based on search volume and ability to compete for those terms. Don’t start optimizing until you know for sure what keywords you need. I caution you against taking this lightly. It does no good to optimize for something no one is looking for.

When researching keywords, you should:

Think Like Consumers

What would a normal person type in the search box to find your product?

Consumers may use several variations, but it most likely will include the location (this is called geo-targeting) alongside terms such as “homes,” “condos,” “homes for sale,” “real estate,” “condos for sale,” “foreclosures” or ”new homes.”

Other ways to think like your consumers:

Brainstorm and list every phrase that might be used to find what your site offers.

Ask friends and colleagues for suggestions.

Poll your consumer base and get their input. After hearing from these consumers, you may be surprised at the keywords they recommend. If that happens, resist the temptation to discard their input because chances are, the people you interviewed are the profile of your ideal customer. While the keywords they suggest may sound strange to you, bear in mind that most people use natural language in their searches. They don’t use the industry terminology you and I know. They just want to find a home.

Validate with a Keyword Research Tool

Use keyword research tools to confirm or deny your keyword list. Don’t move on without doing this. Many times, business people think they know what the best keywords are. Business people also are more familiar with industry terminology that consumers are not. Confirm your instincts with a keyword research tool before progressing to the next step.

Here are keyword research tools you can use:

Wordtracker Free Keywords (http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/) provides free keyword suggestions from Wordtracker.

Wordtracker (http://www.wordtracker.com/) also has a more advanced paid version, and sells top keyword reports.

Google AdWords Keyword Suggestion Tool (https://adwords.google.com/ select/KeywordToolExternal) recommends keywords based on a keyword you enter or a URL you have the tool analyze.

WordStream Keyword Tool (http://www.wordstream.com/keywords/) allows you to export a list of thousands of keywords for free.

Keyword Discovery (http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/search.html) is a free keyword tool from Trellian.

Trellian (http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/) also has a more advanced paid version of Keyword Discovery.

Yahoo! Research Tool (http://advertising.yahoo.com/smallbusiness/ysm)

YouTube Research Tool (https://ads.youtube.com/keyword_tool)