by Gene Patterson

Created on: October 25, 2010   Last Updated: February 02, 2011

If you are wondering how search engine optimization can build and generate website traffic, look no further.  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of those topics that does not take a long time to learn, but can take a long time to master.  (not a lifetime)

♦ What is a Keyword ♦

Keywords are the linchpin of search engine optimization and generating website traffic.  A keyword is a series of words or a 3-4 word phrase that is utilized multiple times within an article.  Think of it as the “language” of the topic you are discussing.  They will be the phrases that someone-who wants to read what you have written- will use to find your site.

♦ Using Keywords for SEO and Generating Website Traffic ♦

Keywords are the 800 pound Gorilla of optimizing your websites for search engines.  The primary intent with keywords is to target keywords that get a decent amount of traffic that also have a reasonable amount of competition.  If there is not enough targeted traffic  (traffic that wants to buy) the amount you earn may not be worth the effort.  If the competition is too fierce it may be too difficult to break into the top page of Google.

When optimizing your website for search engines being on page one of Google should always be your goal.  It is page 1 of Google or bust.  The drop off from the 10th ranked search to the 11th ranked search is huge.  If reaching the top ten for a keyword result cannot be done a new targeted keyword should be chosen.

♦ How SEO Generates Website Traffic  ♦

Once you get your page ranking on the top page of Google the real magic happens.  Let’s take an example.  The web-page gets ranked on Google for the search term, “Buy widgets now”.  Every time someone –anywhere in the world- does a search for those keywords they will see a result of your page on their search engine results page.

To keep it simple, let’s say, “Buy widgets now” gets 1000 searches a day for that term.  As the number 10 search on Google you can expect 70-80 searches a day.  Every single one wanting to buy widgets, which is hopefully what you are selling.  Now if a site can pull in #1 spot on Google results, that number easily becomes a steady 400 extra people sent to the site as traffic.

It should be plain to see the power of search engine optimization to build and generate website traffic.  Done correctly it can add an amazing amount of traffic to your site.

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