How To Optimize Keywords for SEO: 8 Different Ways
Businesses know the importance of finding their online audience. Getting a site to rank for specific keywords related to products and services can give you a competitive advantage.
While it takes time to master search engine optimization (SEO), you can ensure the right keywords end up in your content. Learn how to optimize keywords for SEO with the guide below!
What are keywords for SEO?
Keywords are individual words or phrases users commonly search on the Internet. When visiting Google, you use keywords to find pages that help answer a question, connect you to goods or services or find content applicable to your interests or industry.
Keywords for SEO aim to bring qualified traffic to your website. For example, a plumber in central Pennsylvania might want the keyword “pipe installation and repair services in Harrisburg” to attract readers needing a professional in a particular location.
How often should I evaluate keywords?
Google algorithms are constantly changing. This evolution means a keyword that works now may need to be updated in months or years based on your target audience.
Assessing and reworking keywords regularly — every few months — shows search engines your content is up to date, relevant, and contains the terms users are interested in.
8 ways to optimize keywords for SEO
Using SEO keywords involves writing helpful content for readers. Search engines like Google value high-quality SEO writing, so it’s essential to integrate keywords without jeopardizing the message you hope to convey to your audience.
Here are eight ways to optimize your keywords for your SEO content.
1. Prioritize the user goal
Searchers will leave your site if they can’t find what they need quickly. SEO keywords should focus on attracting a specific audience interested in what you have to offer.
Thinking about the individual user’s goal will help you select keywords for various pages on your site and help you curate a positive user experience. Do a quick search for your keyword to see what other people are writing about for ideas.
2. Use analytics tools for keyword research
Selecting keywords for pages is far from a guessing game when you use the insights available. Website auditing and analytics tools like SEO.com help you learn more about the types of terms users respond to and how often.
Integrating only the keywords that see traffic is an effective strategy for your online marketing campaign.
3. Perform an audit of your current website
When was the last time you assessed your website? Evaluating your existing content strategy gives you a better idea of what works well and what needs improvement.
Do you see SEO keywords within H1, H2, H3, and H4 header tags, meta descriptions, and body copy? If not, implementing them can improve your site’s SEO value.
4. Consider the placement of keywords
Ideally, you will use different groups of keywords across the various pages of your website. Keyword mapping allows you to organize your site so keywords are distributed well and don’t cause competition between your site’s pages.
Focusing your keywords based on topic, product type or services makes it easier for the reader to end up where you want them to go once they find your site.
5. Use keywords only a few times
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with keywords is using them too often. Your attention should be on the reader — your content must read well and integrate keywords as organically as possible.
Sprinkle in keywords throughout your content. It’s helpful to include your keyword selections within introductory paragraphs to hook your readers, but remember to write them within header tags as well.
“Stuffing” an article with keywords is counterproductive. Often, keyword-stuffed content suffers from a robotic tone, and the information on the page confuses the reader. You can use keyword density to ensure these terms appear often enough to capture traffic without sacrificing user intent.
6. Include locations when necessary
Businesses with physical stores or service areas must stand out to readers searching for goods or services near them. You can improve your local SEO with applicable keywords.
Including locations within your keywords is a great way to attract legitimate customers. This strategy could be as easy as including “near” or “in” and the area in your keywords and phrases. Consider adding a location page to your website that provides your address and contact information.
7. Remember mobile-based keywords
Optimizing your site for mobile helps you see traffic from all avenues. Depending on your field or offerings, you may have opportunities to include concise keywords on your site to pull in readers performing searches on smartphone touchscreens.
Readers using touchscreen devices rarely type out full sentences into a search engine, and they may be using the voice search feature on their device. Find a healthy balance between short- and long-tail keywords and question-based phrases to appeal to all searchers.
8. Surround your keywords with unique text
Strategic keywords appear on your competitors’ sites, too. While you can only get so creative with effective keyword phrases, you do have the freedom to control the surrounding content on your page.
Google knows when your website features duplicate content. One of the best ways to help your pages rank better is to prioritize 100% original content creation. You may choose to add new text to an existing page or revise the content you currently have to see where you can move away from duplicate content.
Get in touch with WebFX for content marketing services
When you need assistance with content creation, remember WebFX for your needs. WebFX is a full-service digital marketing agency that creates content for your company to convert readers into repeat customers.
Our team of specialized copywriters makes keyword integration for your campaign as straightforward as possible. For more information about content marketing services, contact WebFX online!
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