We often get asked from clients on how to do search engine optimization for their site. The answer starts with building an effective keyword list. Keyword research is not only the first thing you do but it is the foundation for everything else you do with search engine optimization.

Unfortunately, we see folks not spending enough time and effort to get this part right. Building a good keyword list starts with understanding your market and how they search for your product or service (ie., what phrases do they use to search when they are in need (or in the buying mode) for your product or service. Business owners are usually heads down running their businesses and either don’t spend enough time thinking about good keywords or think they already know what keywords are relevant for their business. Our first piece of advice is to get into your customers head and think what phrases they might use to find your business – or better yet – what “buying” phrases they might they use.

To get you started with your keyword research make sure your research meets the following 4 criteria:

• Relevance: Focus on identifying keywords that are relevant to your business or niche. Keyword relevance is essential to both search engine rankings and to the satisfaction of your end users. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you know what is relevant and what is not – do the research.
• Probability to Convert: Are the keywords you are using, used by people who are ready to buy or “do business”. The keywords you target must be used by people who are highly motivated to take some form of action like; Clicking on a link, Downloading a report, Subscribing to a list, Requesting more information or Buying something online.
• Search Volume: People must be using the keywords you choose. Focus on identifying keywords that have a reasonable number of people using them in their search queries every month.
• “Rankability”: Is there a reasonable probability that you can achieve a high ranking for the keywords you’re planning to target. Pay Attention to This! The only way you’ll attract organic search traffic is if you rank at or near the top of the search results. Period. SO choose words and/or phrases that you have a “better than good” chance of ranking on page one of search results.

We have collected a few helpful articles below to help you get you started on your keyword research.

How to Build a SEO Keyword Discovery List – The Wednesday Project

In this episode Rick and Cayley discuss the concept of building a SEO keyword list. How to develop the keyword list and place.

Publish Date: 05/09/2011 17:08

http://www.thewednesdayproject.org/building-a-seo-keyword-list/

Build A Researched Keyword List : 4 Step Masterplan

Cool and novel ways to build a keyword list that your competitors would be jealous of. 1. Profile Your Market And Keywords. Unless you understand what your target market looks like, thinks like and talks like – you’re …

Publish Date: 03/24/2011 23:10

http://techlunatic.com/2011/03/building-a-keyword-researched-list-process/

How to Build a Keyword List for a Successful PPC Campaign

You can create an effective keyword list for your PPC campaign in five simple steps.

Publish Date: 03/16/2011 12:02

http://www.wolf21.com/blog/steps-build-keyword-list-ppc-campaign/

Business Blogs » Blog Archive » Secrets to A Good SEO Keyword List

As an entrepreneur, you are probably bombarded with e-mail messages every day with someone telling you how they “get your site to the top of the search engines.” Well, if you’re like most business owners, you don’t have …

Publish Date: 05/18/2011 7:39

http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/index.php/2011/05/18/seo-keyword-list/

Secrets to A Good SEO Keyword List

To start, you want to create a list of good, SEO keywords. And whether you are doing your own SEO, or working with a professional, here are some things to keep in mind when developing your list: Use Your Common Sense. …

Publish Date: 05/23/2011 20:30

http://financialbin.com/2011/05/24/secrets-to-a-good-seo-keyword-list/