Keywords play a vital role when it comes to SEO. Getting keywords may seem like an easy task in the beginning but getting traffic from those keywords to rank higher requires more effort. A lot can go wrong with keywords such as, selecting the wrong keywords or picking keywords that are too popular. You should make sure that proper research is done when picking the right keywords.
Avoid the following mistakes when picking your keywords:
Using Broad Matches instead of Exact Matches
Instead of using broad matches, go for exact matches or similar keywords. Broad matches can work against your PPC campaign making you spend a lot of money on useless keywords.
Using Your Competitor’s Keywords
Just because your competitor is ranking for a specific keyword doesn’t mean that you will be successful if you use the same. It is good to know your competitor’s keywords but don’t copy because it is equivalent to following them blindly.
Using Worded Keywords
Short keywords might look appealing but they are easily taken out of context. Long tailed keywords are also not that popular as fewer users search for them. Keep your users’ intent in mind and only use keywords that can be used naturally for easy conversion.
Failing to Use Local Keywords
If you run a business that operates locally, it would be a great idea to use localized keywords. Many businesses, especially those that have branches in different locations, forget this crucial part. If you have this type of business, you should have a page for each area that you work in and the name of the location should be used in every keyword phrase.
Failing to Differentiate Singular and Plural Search Terms
The difference between singular and plural search terms is noticed by the search engine crawlers. For example, if a term like ‘Montreal travel agency’ is considered, it makes sense to also use ‘Montreal travel agencies’.
Using Unpopular Search phrases
If you spend time on industry related jargon that nobody uses, no one will find you. Use words that others are likely to search for. Insider industry terms should never be used as keywords because your potential audience does not know them.
Avoiding the above stated mistakes will save you time and money when implementing your online marketing strategy.