using keywords

[amafreelancer]

Hi,

I have a new website that is not seo friendly and work in progress. but to start I'm looking into keywords to focus on and optimise the pages around these phrases/words - and finish my content.

I'm confused!.. If I have 5 chosen keywords suited to the page content (or service sector for me), then does that mean I have to frequently use these words in order to focus on them? otherwise the rest of the content is peppered with similar industry works - just not chosen as my keywords.. Don't get it. How do your keywords stand out from the rest of the content.

I am using Moz and Keyword planner for research.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[fisicx]

Ignore moz and the keyword planner.

What you need is the keywords in the page title, description, main header and the content on the page. Write naturally, just make sure it reads correctly and is informative. But you also need to have good internal linking and have considered the whole site. This means making sure every page relates to all the other pages.

It takes a lot of work.

 

[amafreelancer]

I assume Moz and keyword planner is not accurate - that's why ignore?

So if you choose your keywords, its about frequency of that word within the page (inc title, description etc)..? and providing it doesn't read unnatural.

I know google has clever algorithms and ways to decide on your sites status and position, but the whole concept of picking explicit keywords per page I don't understand, and the internet is full of contradictions.

Thanks

 

[fisicx]

It's not about the accuracy of the tools, it more about them leading you in the wrong direction.

Every word on your site is a keyword. Every sentance your write is a potential solution to a search. Focus on the provision of solutions and answers so Google knows how you can help people. So for example if you are plumber you don't need to tell people what a plumber does, what you do need to do is tell people you can fix a leaky tap. People don't want a plumber, they want a leaky tap fixing.

All you need is single iteration of a keyword within relevant content and a holistic approach to the whole site structure and you can rank well for that keyword. But it does take time and effort.

Do Ray's excellent course and your eyes will be opened to a whole world of possibilities: http://www.freshbananas.co.uk/

If aximo.co.uk is your website there are loads of things you need to fix. Can't give you a breakdown of the umpteen problems as site reviews are only for full members but it needs a lot of work if you want Google like what you do.

 

[amafreelancer]

Ok thanks for the good advice. I have been researching this and appreciate the size of the task. I also understand my website is not optimised whatsoever.. but I don't have a budget to pay a consultant at this stage.

But keywords..

I have to start someware. So in your opinion, do you not focus your efforts on selecting a few chosen (researched and relevant) keywords that fit in with the site/page/content - assuming it reads well, non passive.etc... Out of all the articles on the web, they state you should pick keywords as part of the process.

Thanks

 

[fisicx]

Is aximo.co.uk the site?

If so then all you need to do is start writing about the results of your services (not the services themselves) and stop talking about you and what you do (nobody cares).

This means putting the needs of the prospective client first. The problem you have is the site wasn't built to do this - it's the wrong theme for your business.

Site reviews are only for full members so can't really give too much advice. But to focus on a narrow range of keywords is the wrong approach. People no longer do single word searches, they ask questions and make complex queries. Think about the phone calls you get and the questions people ask. This are the questions they will type into Google.

 

[amafreelancer]

yes it is.

I do get it now about putting yourself in the clients shoes..

I am signing up as a full member tomorrow, but what do you mean the website is the wrong theme.. I have spent money and time having this created.

 

[fisicx]

It's the wrong theme because it sells you not your services. The website review will reveal all.

The theme looks ok but its not going to generate new business without a number of changes. The first one of which is to get rid of the hero images and all the animations.

 

[amafreelancer]

If I join, how do I get the website review? I agree with most of what you have said. Binging a website up could be (removed)...but is that what makes the world go round..and some people like that..

 

[fisicx]

You join UKBF and this give you access to a number of other forums - one of which is the website reviews.

You may think a pretty site makes a difference but it doesn't. Look at amazon or ebay - not exactly cutting edge design but they both work really well. The reason is the content not the packaging.

So all you need is a simple theme (and there are thousands to choose from) and really great content.

To give you an idea on how poor the theme is take a look at the site on your phone. The homepage tells me nothing until I scroll. And on a tablet it's broken in landscape and useless in portrait.

 

[amafreelancer]

ok get that point.

What about apple brand. Other companies choose apple products because of look and style. Many other companies can offer the same technology. Sometimes its the why.

 

[fisicx]

That's just branding. you aren't a brand and never will be. You are a service provider and nobody really cares about your branding. Clients probably won't even recall your logo, it's your skills they want not the fancy website.

 

[amafreelancer]

yes true..I agree with most of what you said, but Im not convinced my website is over bling and think people will chose over a nicer looking site than really plain one - with same contents..

You may think a pretty site makes a difference but it doesn't. Look at amazon or ebay - not exactly cutting edge design but they both work really well. The reason is the content not the packaging.

ebay and google don't need a cutting edge look. agreed - but they don't need to stand out tho..so no comparison.

 

[Scott Heron]

Your site has a few issues but one of the main issues I find is that I have to scroll a bit before I find any information on what it is you do/offer.

With regards to keywords, try to get in the head of your prospect. What would they be searching for in Google? Write content on your news section that helps solve their problem/query.

 

[fisicx]

I didn't say your site is over bling, it's just the wrong theme for your business. To make the changes necessary to promote the business and stand a change of ranking across the range of services will mean reworking just about everything on the site. And if you are going to do that you might just as well choose a new theme. It will be a lot cheaper.

For example, the whole navigation system isn't right. The only link that matters are the services and these need to be visible at all times on all devices (no dropdowns and no hamburgers)

 

[amafreelancer]

I am a full member now.

This is a bespoke WordPress theme that and was commissioned when I was unaware of a lot of the things I know now about marketing etc.. Feel a bit gutted now it may not be right!.. its not just the money, but the time in getting it to this point... Dilemmas..!

 

[amafreelancer]

Thanks for the help and understand the concept of keywords now. If I do my market research on my potential customer. Who they are, what problems they may need solving and how these fit into my core services, then this will help plan my content. Something I should have done well before a website..!..

 

[StevePoster]

Too much focus on keywords will not help you at all, but try to understand your target audience needs then you will have the answer on how to optimize your pages for them.

 

[webgeek]

Think of keywords like root cuttings when you clip a bit off one one plant, stick it in the dirt, and grow a new plant elsewhere, all the while keeping the original intact and healthy.

A root keyword - like 'bosch widget' could be the basic term. Optimise your title, h1, opening para, inbound links within the site, navigation, etc, around that term.

You want that to grow into 100' tree with branches and leaves - but you don't need to optimise for each of them, like 'large bosch widget', 'bosch kitchen widget', 'sale on 'bosch widgets'. You can't optimise a page for many things - it doesn't work like that.

Optimise for the root, add nutrients and care to it, and it'll grow. The SEO equivalent of nutrients are authority and trust. The equivalent to care is optimisation and frequent content additions/updates.

Build the base, then give it a super mario power up so that it'll rank for 10, 100, or 1000 terms related to your root.