~~~Writing for the Search Engines and Your Prospects~~~
From: jean caldwell
I love your website. I have been studying and have read a lot of your
articles. My name is Rene and I am a newbie to the world of website
optimization. I purchased a website opt package and as a result 5 out
of my 110 pages got top 10 listings on Lycos and alltheweb. Still
waiting to be spidered by Google.
My question is:
1) If my keyword phrase is : "free nokia ringtones" to find the 2nd
keywords in free goto.com results are:
48028 free nokia ringtone
2743 nokia free ringtone
2625 free ringtone for nokia
2513 free ringtone for nokia phone
If I am writing a 3 paragraph page - max 250 words, I would put free
nokia ringtones
2x in 1st paragraph
1x in 2nd paragraph
1x in 3rd paragraph
Do I try to include the 3 secondary keywords that I included above
into the body of the text as much as possible?
Respectfully,
Rene
~~~Heather's Response~~~
Hi, Rene,
This is a great SEO writing question - and thanks for sending it in.
Before I answer your question, I want to raise a slight concern about
using GoTo (oops - Overture, how could I forget such a catchy name?
(g)) exclusively for keyphrase research. As we've mentioned before,
GoTo's results are not as broad as WordTracker's, so it may not be
the best primary research source. However, I reserve all judgment
until Jill's article about keyphrase research on WordTracker vs. GoTo
hits the streets. The results should be interesting, so stay tuned!
It looks like you have a total of four main keyphrases, with the
phrase "free nokia ringtone" as your main phrase. Let's break down
your SEO writing steps and demonstrate how to plan your content.
1. Remember, you can optimize for two to three keyphrases per page.
You'll have to choose which keyphrases are the most important (and
relevant) for your home page and include those in your body text copy.
Yes, you can add a fourth keyphrase in there, but you probably won't
be able to include it enough times on the home page to make it count
with the search engines.
What can you do with your "extra" keyphrases? Include them on an
inner Web page. There's a major misconception that your home page is
the be-all, end-all with the search engines, and that's just wrong.
The more inner pages you optimize, the more opportunities you have to
drive targeted traffic to your site. And the more chances you have to
close a sale.
2. Keep your word count high. You mentioned that you wanted a maximum
of 250 words on your home page, and that's a good length. It's even
perfectly fine to go over that word count as long as you're serving up
marketing-savvy, useful and dynamically written text. Now, as far as
where to place your main keyphrases...
3. Rethink your keyphrase strategy. For maximum results, you should
include your two to three keyphrases at least three times each on your
home page - and more if you can do it. When I'm providing SEO writing
for my clients, I include my main keyphrase around five times (more if
I can do it and the copy flows), and my other keyphrases three to four
times each. However, I write for the search engines every day, and
it's my main gig. If you aren't used to placing keyphrases in your
copy, simply keep your keyphrase usage to three times per keyphrase
per page. Better to have one less keyphrase than obliterate your
marketing flow.
Do place your main keyphrases at the top of your page (including them
in your headline and your first paragraph is always a great idea).
However, don't miss the opportunity of including your keyphrases
throughout the entire page, as well. You needn't worry about a
formula such as having X keyphrase in Y paragraph Z times. Yes, you
want to ensure that you include your keyphrases at least three times
each (which will be a snap with highly relevant copy). But, you don't
need a particular keyphrase placement strategy.
One of the best things about having heavier content on your home page
is that it allows you to write the *most successful copy you can while
still including your main keyphrases*. Rather than ponder what
keyphrase goes where, consider placing your keyphrases where they have
the most impact. This allows you to keep your marketing message
(which is crucial for successful conversion rates), while maximizing
your keyphrase usage. Plus, it keeps you from going nuts trying to
determine how to fit keyphrase X in a paragraph where it doesn't quite
"fit."
Thanks for your question. Keep those online and SEO writing questions
coming!
Heather
~~~Send Us Your Questions~~~
If you have questions about online copywriting or search engine optimization (or both!), just zip us an email to questions@rankwrite.com. We've had some folks ask if their question
was "too basic" to be printed - and you don't have to worry about
that! There are no "stupid" search engine optimization or copywriting
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