I am currently using a basic free method to find my keywords, it goes like this: 1. use google adwords keyword tool to plug in the broad keyword. 2. look at searches and competition for that keyword. 3. go to google search and plug in keyword i chose. 4. go to last page of that search and see the true number of results I am competing with on the top google bar. Seems the true number of results only shows up when you get to the last page. 5. my formula is if a lot of searches (5000 or more a month) and fewer than 500 results/pages on google (looking at last google search page) then it seems like a good one to go for? on a budget so only using free tools right now. any suggestions on drilling down using these tools. quick easy formula. would like to buy a more automated program, so any suggestions on that would be appreciated. THANKS!!
Yes, Market Samurai. If you sign up with the 30 Day Challenge you might still get a discount. There are other good tools but MS does everything you are doing and a whole lot more with just a couple of clicks. Also, check out Web CEO. The free version is pretty powerful. Good luck.
Keyword research is simple, if you know what you're doing. Result has nothing to do with the level of competition. The strength of the competitor what is really matter. I've built 1 blog for a keyword with more than 3 million results last week, and my blog is sitting in #6 right now with no backlinks at all. At the same time, I built a blog targeting for a keyword with just 67 thousand result, I only managed to get #14 (same effort, no backlinks. I know I'll rank higher if I put more backlinks to it). The key is how to measure your competitor. If you do it the right way, you'll easily rank for good keywords. I learn the keyword research method from courtneytuttle.com, sign up there for the keyword academy, you will learn really awesome knowledge about keyword research. No need to buy market samurai, keyword elite or any other fancy keyword software. Hope that helps
another way you must pay attention to your site content,update it daily will push your site to the top of SE
Constantly updating your site is the best way to build tons of keywords. That's what's so great about building a blog - you can constantly have new content to be indexed and searched by Google, and this allows more traffic and higher SERPS.
Thanks everyone. I have been on the Trial of Market Samurai, tried traffic travis (briefly), and used SEO4Firefox to supplement both. I think as in all in one tool to automate several SEO tasks Market Samurai seems to get the best reviews all around. Like any software it requires you human common sense and manual input but it has already provided a ton of good information in one place that has sped up my process of not only finding they keywords but then analyzing the top 10 competitors and their strength of backlinks, etc.. Its nice because it is only a one time fee for $97 and has great support and training. For a newbie I think its a great place to get started.
I don't think it matters how many results you get in google. A keyword could have only maybe 20 pages worth of results but if the top spots have PR4 or above it would be worthless for a beginner. On the other hand a keyword might a hundred pages worth of results but if the top spots are weak with PR 1 to 3 then it would be easier to overtake those spots with simple SEO techniques and link building.
Depending what you are looking for... If you are gonna sell "beds" for example, you should make your research based on it...
This use to be my old method, although you do get the results it is very time consuming, if there is any way I can save time I will give it a go. And I do like someone else I think has mentioned try web ceo I have it installed on my toolbar. Very good source...