Keyword Optimization

[joshril]

I am trying to optimize my site as the keywords are fairly competitive. I have found a couple I think I could rank pretty highly with. My question is, if I find a keyword that is searched pretty regularly, how many results on the major search engines should I try to stay below to actually be able to rank in the search engine competitively. Any other SEO tips would be greaty appreciated...

[altoid]

apprx. 5% - 10% of the content should be your keywords.

Build your page, try it, see how it works, if you have the time rebuild it and redo the keyword percentages.

[joshril]

Thanks, what I am really trying to do is distinguish how much competition is acceptable on a decently searched keyword?? How many search results are too many??

[Will.Spencer]

How many search results are too many??

The number of search results is an extremely poor measure of competition.

Instead, look at the on-page optimization and backinks of the top ten search results for your keywork term.

Do they look like you could beat them?

[joshril]

So the number of results is irrelevant?? I have a keyword phrase that I was considering optimizing for, but it brings up about 3 million search results on google.
What's weird is the number 4 spot is a pretty crappybasic looking site, but it looks like they own several domains in the insurance category and link between them... Realisically, do you think I can be competitive optimizing for this keyword, or should I try to find a different one??

[johnlarson]

keywords are not the end all or be all . check keyword density. try blogging (blogs are searchable) with keywords and create back links, create rss feed of main page and publish, fresh daily content(carp or atom), keywords in the title tag, add a guest book.