If you have ever attempted to market a new business venture or product using a brand new website, you have likely found yourself struggling to achieve a sufficient rank for competitive keyword. While you should never lose your resolve, you can in the meantime target less competitive but more specific long-tail keywords. These keywords are lengthier and more specific or targeted to reveal a higher level of intent (ex. “shirt” versus “medium dress shirt”) which makes it easier to guess what the search user is hunting for.
10 Quick Tips to Harness the Power of Long-Tail Keywords
- Utilize Google Suggest
Google Suggestions is an ideal way to source out long-tail keyword variations. Simply type a primary keyword in the search box to discover a large amount of variations and embellishments of that keyword. All Google suggestions are based on phrases that people are actually searching for which can inspire quality content. - Make Use of Google’s Related Searches
Just as Google Suggestions will begin appearing as you type a query, suggested related searches will also appear below page one of any organic results. Some of these suggestions will be unique and just as viable. - Use A Different Keyword Research Tool
If you have been using the same keyword tool each time that you conduct research, then you will only be limited to the long-tail keyword variations within its capabilities. However, there is a vastly untapped pool of attainable variations out there if you change up your research. Even if you are happy with the performance of one tool, you will never know what you could be missing out on if you forgo trying another.Try adding HitTail to you short list of keyword research tools. Hittail can efficiently identify the long-tail keywords that increases your organic traffic by focusing on the most promising keywords in your existing traffic. This tool is a great compliment to what you are probably using for keyword research and will probably identify several new keyword variations that will increase your organic traffic.
- Use Multiple Keyword Research Tools
To expand upon changing up keyword research tools, you can also maximize your efforts by using multiple tools instead. Many people will stick the basic Google Keyword Tool, but there are many more available that can present a cornucopia of variations. A few include: - Mining Analytics
Analytics can clue you into all the different keyword phrases that are leading visitors straight to your website. By sifting through keyword referrers, you can identify the top long-tail keywords that are driving traffic. Some of these may not have even been targeted on any page of your site. - eHow
eHow and other sites like it are worth a look because they are almost exclusively driven by keyword research. Much of this research falls into the long-tail category. This is because there are powerful algorithms in play to search out long-tail keywords that can be easily ranked with content that is hyper-targeted. - Q&A Sites
These sites can be an equally powerful source of long-tail keywords. Try buzzing: - Yahoo Answers
- Quora
- Askville
- Answers.com
- Wikipedia
Wikipedia is one of the most optimized sites on the internet today. This means that you can learn a great deal by copying their on-page optimization. By performing page specific searches and checking headings, you will likely discover a plethora of long-tail keywords. - Steal From the Competition
You should always be scoping out your competitors when chasing long-tail keywords. If you begin with head or mid-tail terms that you are hoping to rank with, it will be easier to spot the variations your competition is using. This will be especially helpful when examining pages that hold rank for the top five or ten spots. - Applying What You Have Learned
Once you have discovered the long-tail keywords you want to use, all you have to do is apply them to your paid and organic marketing campaigns. For SEO, create infographics, blog posts, guides, and other content to help you rank. For PPC, take long-tail keywords that are closely related and organize them into tightly knit ad groups for easier sorted research. Finally, continue to track the results of your efforts so that you can continue to hone your program and make it stellar.
Remember that a question can make an excellent long-tail keyword because it relates information actually being sought out.
Next Step – Applying your Long-tail Keyword Research
The power of your long-tail keyword research lies in how you apply them to your online campaigns. There is a valuable place for both of them in paid and organic search marketing.
- Search Engine Optimization:
Apply these keywords to your blog posts, whitepapers, videos and social media campaigns. Use the keywords in the content marketing posts that come naturally to you or consider writing new content topics around the long-tail keywords. - Pay-Per-Click:
Organize your ad groups to be sure that your closely related long-tail words are grouped together. Keyword Grouper is a great tool to help you sort through your research and most effectively position your keywords. If you are already running PPC campaigns go to Adwords Performance Grader to review how your campaigns are performing for long-tail keyword optimization and other key PPC metrics such as QualityScore, click-through rate, and impression share.
By targeting long-tail keywords with your content marketing and SEO, it is likely that you will rank much faster. Moreover, long-tail keywords are cheaper for your PPC efforts and can drive higher click-through rates and conversions After trying these quick tips and establishing relevant long-tail keywords, it will easy to see why they need to become a part of your marketing strategy online.
Do you target long-tail keywords for your business and have additional tips for success? Share your comments below.
Get PageLadder Posts by Email
Robb Bailey
Latest posts by Robb Bailey (see all)
- 5 Reasons You Need to Look Beyond the Numbers in Your Digital Marketing - July 18, 2019
- 5 Easy Tweaks You Can Make to Consistently Land New Customers Online - July 18, 2019
- Types of Marketing Emails That Nobody Has Opened in Year - July 18, 2019
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!