As the dust settles after the latest round of Google algorithm changes (Penguin Update), many long-time content producers and SEO types are throwing in the towel on trying to optimize their sites around high value keywords.
Does that mean keyword research is dead?
Why bother spending time uncovering the relevant keywords your customers use to find products like yours if you have given up on the chance to rank for these keywords with SEO anyway?
Even though relying on Google search results (and to a lesser extent search traffic from other search engines) is challenging these days in the face of some fairly severe algorithm changes that make ranking on the first page tougher than ever, there are still many good reasons to practice solid keyword research.
KNOW YOUR “MONEY” KEYWORDS
One thing we learned in years of generating mass content online (shotgun approach) is that 20% of the content (even less actually) brings in 80% or more of the traffic and sales…the key is to find the kieywords that will not only generate traffic (relatively easy thing to do), but that generates ROI (meaning that people who arrive at your landing page actually take the desired action when they get there by typing in a certain keyword)
Despite that fact that Google is updating it’s ranking criteria (which they do constantly by the way)…it is still possible to rank content among the top listings for specific keywords…what matters most these days is that you spend the majority of your time and effort in the RIGHT place.
Instead of trying to rank for hundreds of keywords, finding your top 3-5 producing keywords will make a huge difference in your profits and makes it feasible to work hard to rise in the SERP’S for those relevant keywords.
Obviously, the earlier you learn this lesson, the more productive you can be with targeting your content and the more effective your online marketing results will be.
Niche after niche we have found this to be true, a relatively small number of keywords will bring in a significant portion of your profits…if you aren’t doing keywords research and testing (traffic and conversions) then yes, you are definitely leaving money on the table.
MAKE SURE YOUR CONTEXT MATCHES WHAT THEY EXPECT
Another key point, once you find those “money” keywords, this is also gives you the context for your landing pages. Let’s say you test and discover that this keyword phrase “lose more belly fat” is a top traffic generator and converts well too…then optimizing your landing page with those exact words is very important in improving conversions…people come there looking for what they typed, if they don’t see it then they get confused and are less likely to buy.
YOUR OPINION…
What about you…are you still doing keyword research? Are you seeing certain keywords bring you more traffic and sales than others? Leave a comment and let us know.
