What Types of Keywords Can You Use?

There are quite a few options available to you when it comes to selecting keywords for your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts. These keywords will help your website rank higher within the search engine search results. The types of keywords you can select include the following: single keywords, keyword phrases, and long tail keywords. You should spend a fair amount of time fleshing out and selecting the keywords you will use in your SEO because these words and/or phrases are the means by which your target audience will find you online.

Single Keywords

Topping the results for single keywords can bring in volumes of traffic, which will create a significant income potential for you. Unfortunately, single keywords have equally high volumes of competition. For this reason it is a good idea to find a very specifically targeted and low competition single keyword if this is the course of action you wish to follow. You should also note that a single keyword is more generic and less targeted than most keyword phrases. This means that you will need that extra traffic in order to make the sales you are hoping for.

Keyword Phrases

If you want to narrow your market down a little bit and increase your sales, then you want to try using a few keyword phrases in your SEO efforts. A keyword phrase is a group of keywords that are related to the specific market or niche you are targeting. The use of more words, helps you more carefully define the market you wish to reach while simultaneously reducing the amount of competition you are facing for that market.

Long Tail Keywords

These are the most specific keywords as well as the longest phrases and can bring in very targeted traffic. Most Internet marketers find that long tail keywords have less competition, provided they have been properly researched, and can bring about better conversions. The flip side is that you will receive less traffic, not that this really matters if you are making the sales. The downside of long tail keywords is that it takes a fair amount of trial and error or a good nose for your niche in order to find the long tail keywords that will convert well and bring in the traffic you need to make it worth your while.

The important thing to remember when you are selecting the type of keywords you will be using is that these words will help you define your website to the search engines as well as to your target audience. The more narrowly you define the market and your niche, the more likely you will be to get traffic that is interested in exactly what you have to offer. The narrower your focus, the greater the likelihood that you will make more, and in some cases bigger, sales than would be possible with a wider focus or audience. More traffic is great; more targeted traffic is even better.