Keywords play a pivotal role in every search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, and selecting the most fitting ones is paramount for your website’s success.
To enhance the accuracy of search engine robots in understanding your website’s subject matter, strategically incorporate relevant keywords into various elements such as headings, descriptions, and the content itself.
While it’s essential to optimize your website for keywords, it’s equally crucial to avoid excessive usage, as over-optimization can have adverse effects. Your chosen keywords should seamlessly blend into the content to maintain a natural flow for your readers.
A popular tool for keyword research is the Google AdWords Keyword Planner. This free tool, requiring a Google AdWords account, offers keyword suggestions along with valuable insights like approximate value in pay-per-click advertising, competitiveness, and monthly global and local search volumes.
During your exploration of on-site SEO, you’ll encounter the concepts of short-tail and long-tail keywords.
Short-tail keywords typically comprise one or two words and represent general search queries, whereas long-tail keywords consist of three to five words or more, offering more specificity.
When users seek more precise results, they often input longer queries, i.e., long-tail keywords, into search engines to obtain more relevant outcomes. Conversely, for general topics, shorter queries of one or two words are commonly used.
Novice online marketers may be inclined to prioritize short-tail keywords due to their high traffic potential. However, it’s crucial to recognize that short-tail keywords are highly competitive despite their substantial search volume.
As an illustration, entering ‘SEO’ into Google generates millions of results, with hundreds of thousands of monthly global searches. Needless to say, achieving a first-page listing for this term in the search engine results page (SERP) would be nearly unattainable.
In contrast, focusing on a long-tail keyword tailored to your specific business is significantly less competitive, and the resulting traffic is more inclined to convert. For instance, targeting ‘Beginners guide to on-page SEO’ is considerably more specific.
Not only is it more achievable to attain high rankings with long-tail keywords, but visitors who land on your site through long-tail terms are also more inclined to make purchases.
This preference stems from the specificity of long-tail keyword searches, as users typically have a clear idea of what they seek compared to short-tail keywords. The latter are often used in the initial stages of product or service exploration, typically during the research phase before making a purchase.
In summary, opting for long-tail keywords typically yields a significantly higher return on investment (ROI) compared to competing against numerous large businesses dominating short-tail keywords.
While short-tail keyword opportunities are still valuable, they require a long-term strategy. The most immediate returns often arise from long-tail terms, which drive the most valuable traffic to your website.
Discovering the Optimal Long-Tail Keywords
Now that you understand the advantages of long-tail keywords for your search engine marketing strategy, you’ll want to pinpoint the most suitable ones for your online marketing efforts.
While the Google AdWords Keyword Planner serves as an excellent starting point, it’s essential to explore other resources for comprehensive keyword research.
Your own website can be a treasure trove of relevant content, offering valuable insights for generating keyword ideas. By reviewing your website’s copy, you can compile a list of concise phrases consisting of three to five words.
Another effective method for generating long-tail keywords is to enlist the help of friends and family. Pose a hypothetical scenario related to your business and ask them which search terms they would use. You might be surprised by the insightful and beneficial results you receive!
Is Targeting Short-Tail Keywords Still Recommended?
Although short-tail keywords often face intense competition, it’s still advisable to target them.
Considering that a significant portion of website traffic from search engines originates from short queries, it remains essential to include them in your strategy.
While the most valuable traffic, which typically converts into customers, often stems from long-tail keyword searches, short-tail keywords remain crucial for driving traffic to your website and increasing brand visibility.