Keyword research is one of the essential techniques in search engine optimization (SEO). Rightly so, considering that targeting the right keywords is the cornerstone of your SEO strategy’s success. Keyword research is done to determine what words and phrases related to your products or services users are inputting on major search engines. By knowing these words or phrases, you’ll better understand your consumers’ needs and how you can address those needs in your website content.
Short-tail vs. Long-tail keywords
In the past, there was much focus on short-tail keywords, keywords that consists of only one or two general terms. However, a reputable Portland SEO company claims that long-tail keywords are the way to go. Long-tail keywords may have a lower search volume than short-tail ones, but studies show that those who use long-tail keywords in their search are more likely to be converted. Consider someone searching meal plan versus someone searching meal subscriptions in Portland. The longer search clearly has a higher purchase intent than the other. Aside from having a higher chance of conversion, long-tail keywords have less competition. Try doing a single-word Google search using a keyword that defines your product or service, and you’ll surely be faced with the biggest names in your industry. It would be close to impossible to rank higher than them in that search result ranking, but that’s not the case for long-tail keywords.
Additionally, with the rise of voice search, user habits are changing. A growing number of users are using voice search over the keyboard, and it’s reflecting in the steady growth of long-tail keyword searches. When people use voice search, they often use natural speech instead of shorthand, so you now see many searches in the form of questions.
Targeting long-tail keywords effectively
Luckily, nowadays, you can use one of the hundreds of keyword research tools available to determine the most popular keywords for your product or service. Consider voice search users in your keyword research. Target question-type keywords like Where is the nearest bookstore or What restaurant serves seafood in the Portland area. Once you have your list of keywords, you can use them in your content, whether it be the title, body, meta description, tags, and so on.
However, you have to be careful not to use too many keywords at once. If your webpage has a high keyword density, the search engine bots might flag it as spam and demote your site’s ranking. Additionally, stuffing your content with keywords just to attract more search engine clicks will lower the quality of the content and negatively impact your reputation. Focus on generating high-quality content and use keywords sparingly. Remember that your content is for audience conversion, not just to attract search engine clicks.
If you’re struggling to set up an effective SEO strategy, a reputable third-party Portland SEO company can link you to SEO experts who have considerable experience in building SEO strategies for companies from various industries. Their insight will be valuable to those who need guidance on keyword research, link building, and other SEO techniques.