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Search Engine Optimization Website Promotion – Keyword optimization: Long tail Vs Short tail Keywords

Search Engine Optimization Website Promotion – Keyword optimization: Long tail Vs Short tail Keywords

Did you like my last blog on Search Engine Optimization?

I discussed about Keyword Optimization being one of the most important factor for Website promotion through Search Engine Optimization.

If you somehow missed it, do read it before moving further.

In this blog I will clearly bring out the difference between long tail and short tail keywords and will try to explain how to decide which keyword to use for website promotion.

Basically, there are two kinds of Keywords: Short tail and Long tail Keywords.

What are Long tail and Short tail Keywords?

Broadly speaking, a long tail keyword is a less competitive and niche whereas a short tail keyword is broad and highly competitive. Consider the following example, A short tail keyword would be “Digital camera” while a long term keyword will be “Sony power shot camera”.

Now, you would basically use Long tail keywords like “Sony power shot camera”, only when you specifically know what you want to buy. Wont you? For your ease, consider this example; you will go for “Dell Inspiron-1525 Laptops” only when you know about Inspiron-1525 models otherwise you will just go for “Dell Laptops”. So, what I am trying to say here is there is always a better chance for a visitor to buy a product through a long tail keyword as he already knows about the product. Hence, there is always a better conversion rate associated with long tail keywords.

Remember, lead conversion is like a funnel where lots of traffic gets in but only a few are converted into business, both these categories of keywords lie at different levels of conversion funnel. Another difference is long tail keywords are much less competitive and thus it is relatively easier to get high ranking on SERP(Search Engine Return Pages) for these kind of keywords but at the same time it drives much less traffic.

So, to conclude, getting top rankings by short tail keywords will bring you more traffic but there will be less conversion and the competition will be much more. While getting to the top using long tail would mean less traffic but a more qualified traffic and thus high conversion rates.

Well, that does not mean that you should go for Long tail keywords just because the conversion rate is higher, remember it is the information that you get out of search in the short tail that leads the way to long tail search. To make things clearer, as in above example, you would only go for keyword “Dell Inspiron-1525 Laptops” if you know about them but the question is how would you know about them? By searching “Dell laptops” or “Best Laptops” etc either online or offline (through your friends etc). So, you ought to focus on short tail keywords. Besides they also drive much more traffic and hence are really useful for a long term strategy.

Now, the question that must be popping in your mind will be: how do I as website owner decide which keyword should be aimed at?

Well you should be sensitive to what people search for relating to the product you sell. One of great tools for this is Google Insights for Search and the best thing about it is that it’s FREE, also make use of Google Keyword research tool —–. https://adwords.google.com/o/Targeting/Explorer?__u=1000000000&__c=1000000000&ideaRequestType=KEYWORD_IDEAS#search.none

Look at what people search for in lines with your products. For example, if you are writing a blog on “Search Engine Optimization”, type it as the keyword in the link provided above and see the broad matches that come up. You should always try to maintain an optimal balance between “the amount of competition” and “the amount of traffic” the keyword draws before deciding to use it.

For a start, I would suggest that it would be better if you aim for a relatively less competitive keyword, once you are relatively experienced, you can switch on to short tail keywords.

Besides, one of the most important things you should keep in mind is the relevance of that particular keyword in context with your blog. For example, if you are providing information on SEO, your target keyword should be “Search Engine Optimization Info/Information” rather than “Search Engine Optimization Certification”.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Comments feedbacks are welcomed. Stay Connected!

www.globalinfo4you.com Ever wonder what SEO is all about. In this video series, Ted Brian gives 5 simple but effective ways to optimize your website so search engines can locate your site. Want to learn how to build a solid foundation with your business? For more information and to gain access of the entire 6 video series to the Online Marketing Definitive Guide, go to http

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