SEO and keywords – how they work
SEO stands for search engine optimisation, which is the fine art of helping Google find your website. Many factors play a part in getting your website to the front page of Google, including keywords and the way your website is constructed. SEO may seem overwhelming, but by understanding what Google is trying to get out of the deal, you will start to understand how SEO and keywords work too.
What is Google’s goal?
Google is – and wants to remain – the top search engine. By being the top search engine, it can command higher prices for advertising and paid search services, thereby making money.
In order to hold its position as the top search engine, Google needs to give the best quality search results to its users. It is looking to give its users the information they want, directing them to websites that will meet their needs.
For this reason, your website will rank more highly for certain searches if the search terms appear in its wording, and if it is clear to Google that it belongs to a thriving business.
Remember, Google is not trying to make life difficult for business owners. It is trying to make itself successful. Keep that in mind and SEO makes a lot more sense!
How do I use keywords for SEO?
Keywords are the words that correspond to what users type into the search bar. For example, a bit of research told us that, “how do SEO keywords work?” was a popular search, so when we were putting this blog together, we chose, “SEO and keywords – how they work” to be our keyword phrase. We used it for the title, and also included those words in the first paragraph, because that’s the part the search engine will read first.
You’ll see that we aren’t just using “SEO” and “keywords” as individual search terms. This is because, on their own, they would offer too much information on too many different levels. There is loads of detailed, technical information on SEO out there but it won’t necessarily be relevant to business owners who just want the basics. Instead, we have focused on a keyword phrase to be sure that this blog reaches people who are going to find it useful.
So when it comes to your own business website, choose a specific keyword phrase to connect with your audience, and include it on key pages on your website. Blogging is a great means of including keyword phrases too. A digital marketing expert can help you find good keyword phrases, or you can use a site like Answer the Public.
Remember not to overuse a keyword (“keyword stuffing”) – Google can spot that you’re trying too hard and will penalise you! Google is looking for genuine content that will be useful to its users – a blog stuffed with keywords will be unreadable and no use to anyone.
What else helps SEO?
Keywords are important, but SEO is about other factors too. Websites that get to the front page of Google are usually regularly updated, frequently visited and run quickly. This is because Google wants to show its users businesses that are operating right now, and if other people are visiting them, it’s probably because they’re good at what they do. It is easier for Google to identify websites that run quickly because they can give the search engine information faster.
Outsource your SEO
Get Ahead have a great marketing team boosting businesses’ SEO through copywriting and keywords, web design and maintenance. To find out how Get Ahead can improve your search engine ranking, get in touch today on 01483 332 220.
