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Q: What's The Difference Between A Webpage In the Top 10 Of The Search Engine Results And One That's Lost Somewhere In Cyberspace?

A: The right keywords.

I'm sure that you already know that keywords need to be included on your webpage content so that it can be found by the search engines, but had you considered that you could be using the wrong ones?

If you're not researching your keywords, you could be missing out on valuable traffic and potential earnings.
It's easy to think that the keywords which were chosen when a website was set up will be adequate to keep on generating interest but unfortunately, so often these words were guessed at, or the result of one off research.

Things change. The way people search the internet, as well as your own product list, alters over time. By using the keywords which your target audience is typing into the search engine increases the chances of them finding your webpage. The right keywords equal increased traffic, subscribers to your email list, revenue and influence. Influence happens when increased traffic to your site makes the search engines recognise its popularity and make them place it higher in their rankings.

Like all strong businesses, you need to spend time and energy keeping in touch with the words your customers really use when they search. For instance, a few years ago, a customer may have typed in the keyword phrase "fragrance free cosmetics" and achieved the result she was after. Today she is far more likely to type in "Organic" or even "Eco friendly cosmetics" to achieve the same result. The phrases we use have changed over time.

So, how do you find the best keywords?

There are many keyword research tools widely available on the internet, all with varying pricing structures. Two of the most popular paid keyword research tools are Wordtracker, which is probably the most popular keyword analysis tool at the moment, and Wordze.

Wordtracker charges a monthly fee of $59 (at time of writing) and allows you access to its 340 million keyword database and offers easy to use tools which help you dig around for the information you need to target what your customers are entering into their search engines. It offers a 7 day free trial.

Wordze charges a daily rate of $7.95 (again, at time of writing) and with its large database of keywords and ease of use, makes an affordable option for those on a tight budget. It offers a free 30 day trial.

For economy's sake, though, I'm going to take you through Google AdWords, which is a free keyword research tool.
As this blog has been inspired with the more mature internet user in mind, who've never had the benefit of formal instruction, please bear with me over the "How To" bit, if you already know.

Go to Google and type in "Google AdWords". Click on the link which reads "Google AdWords - online advertising by Google" as this page has the sign up/log in form.

If you already have an AdWords account, sign in, if not open an account and then log in.

Select "Tools and Analysis" from the tabs across the top of the page, and click on "Keyword Tool".

Choose a keyword phrase which you believe most accurately describes what your target audience are looking for. Avoid the obvious keywords and phrases. For instance, "make money online" is too obvious, but if you type in "make money using Facebook marketing" is much better. Anyone searching this, although fewer than those searching for the phrase "make money online" are a better target because they want to make money online, but specifically through Facebook. You have pinpointed exactly what they are looking for, so anyone visiting your webpage is already interested on your content and therefore, more likely to stay on your page.

Type your phrase into the box at the top and press enter. The page which appears shows the number of both global and local searches for the keyphrase you've entered. Below this, is the top 100 results yours and related keyword searches.

Just above this list of keywords is a "Download" button. Select this and then, from the dropdown menu which appears, select "All". Choose the format you want to download you keyword list into. (I use CSV file for Excel, as it's easy to copy and paste words from an Excel file.)

Still with me? Great!

Open the file you've just downloaded by clicking "Open" on the prompt bar at the bottom of your screen. (Windows 7 - other versions may differ.) Select "View Downloads" to open your file. Copy and paste the keywords by left clicking at the top of the column of words and dragging you curser all the way down to the bottom. This whole column should turn blue. Right click, and with the curser still in the "blue", and then left click on "Copy".

Close or minimise the windows which you have opened to access your file and go back to the Google AdWords page.

Go back up to the words and phrase box at the top of the page. Left click at the end of the keywords which you originally entered, and then drag your curser to the right to highlight them in blue. No need to delete, just right click on the blue and select paste. Now press "Search" and seconds later, you have a massive list of other Google recommended, related keywords. If you download these, as before, you'll have a list of relevant words and phrases to use as inspiration for new content to your site.

Really cool! You've just used Google to get them to tell you what kind of content it wants to see on your website for your chosen topic.

Aim to regularly add new content to your website, whether it's by adding more information to existing pages, a newsletter or a blog. The most important thing here, is to keep it coming regularly. Google sees this as good service and, although it won't happen overnight, your efforts will be rewarded with more visitors - all sent to you by Google!

Inspired by those who think that search engine optimisation is beyond their ability and understanding, Carolyn Stevens publishes a free, weekly email seminar to help businesses drive traffic to their websites. To watch an introductory video and sign up to start to receive regular, inspiring and eye opening information, please join us at http://www.powerincomedynamo.com