Marketing
Simply Irresistible: Keywords
By Ryan Parlee
OK – it’s time to test your music trivia. “Simply Irresistible” – you remember that one? The guitar riff, the danceable beat and… that video! Tight-clothed almost clone like women donning the hottest 80’s fashion while swaying to Robert Palmer’s swooning? I’m sure you do. If you don’t, it’s time to jog your memory.
Despite the catchy hook and that kitchy dancing (and it’s relevance today, even) the song didn’t make it to number one on the charts. It only reached the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list, getting edged out by W. Axl Rose, Slash and the boys from Guns’N Roses and their equally popular ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
The difference between being #1 and #2 waaaay back then was all about cassette, vinyl and cd sales but that’s a subject for a completely different blog that we’ll leave to the spandex wearing, big haired, rock expert bloggers out there. Instead, let’s talk about the difference between being number one and number two in something that matters to you in today’s digital driven business place – specifically, how you’re found on the web by using the right keywords.
The difference between being the number one or number two hit on search engine results can make a huge impact when trying to gain new leads and visitors to your site. We need to get you on the road to infamy and earn that number one spot on the charts. So what’s the best way you can make your website simply irresistible to all the Internet searchers out there? The way to unlock irresistible SEO and attract new visitors is keywords. Keywords are simply the words that people are typing into search engines. And we want them to find you.
Be attractive
Oh, how vain! What we mean by “be attractive” is increasing the number of visitors to your website. By doing some simple research, you can figure out which keywords relate best to your business and industry. The goal is to have strangers come to your website and become acquaintances. So how do we attract strangers in the first place? The answer lies in research. Creating content that is attractive to your target audience is important to gain new visitors. This means knowing your target demographic. You will want to know who they are, what their goals are and what problems they face so you can cater your content to them.
“How do I change the oil in my Batmobile?”
If your searcher is Batman, you need to be Robin. The easiest way to be an awesome sidekick is to help out Batman by providing solutions to their problems. The best way to attract new visitors to your site is to create content that is educational and useful. When your Batman has a problem, they will turn to a search engine and type in a phrase in hopes that they can find a solution. If you create content that answers questions that your Batman would want to know, you will be more likely to appear on their list of solution providers.
If I were a keyword, what would I say?
To know the best keyword phrase to use in your content, you need to think about what your target audience would type into a search engine. To do this you must think like the keyword… act like the keyword… BE the keyword! Okay, maybe don’t get too carried away. But don’t reinvent the wheel entirely when trying to decide which keywords are best to use. Figure out keywords people are already using to find your website. To find these popular words, try an analytics tool like Google Webmaster.
A tale of long-tails.
One method to make your website more search-friendly is to use more specific keyword phrases. This type of keyword is called long-tail. We’re not talking about how long and soft your cat Mitten’s tail is. Long-tail keywords are a string of related words, which are easier to rank because it is more specific and targeted than just relying on one keyword.
So, like, where do I put the keywords?
It’s important to do your research and figure out the best phrases and words to use for your website, but if you don’t place them in the right location you are out of luck. Right off the bat, use your keyword in the title, and URL. If you’re using a long-tail keyword, use it in your URL with dashes (mysite.com/long-tail-keyword) like this! Additionally, add your keywords to the page header and meta description. If you are using an image in your content you can also place the word in the image-alt text. It’s okay to target multiple terms or phrases on a single page, just make sure you are using the phrases naturally. Lastly, make sure your website is mobile friendly. Over 80% of Internet users own a smartphone. Do not let mobile optimization be the reason that visitors leave your site- especially after all your keyword work to get them there!
There you have it! Grab your guitar because you’re on your way to the number one spot on the charts. Remember to not blatantly overuse your keyword within your content. Be cool about it, and create content around your keywords. Like we always say, the key to good keywords is keying in on the key messaging and with our golden key you can open any door.
