Choosing Keywords with the Google Keyword Sandbox & Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool

Revised April 2004

Keywords are the words and phrases used by people when they search for web pages. For example, if I am looking for free web page editing programs, I would type something like "free web page editor" into a search engine. Those are keywords.

Maximizing Keywords: 2 Methods

Obviously, you should choose words and phrases that people actually enter into search engines. There are couple of methods you can use...one is free and the other is not (although it has a free trial). Both methods can produce good results, but the paid version is certain to save you a lot of time.

Just remember, when choosing your keywords, pick the ones that will drive the right kind of visitors to your website. You want people who want to buy your product or service. Check your website stats to see what keywords are bringing you traffic, but don't choose keywords just for traffic's sake. 

Maximize Keywords for Free: Using Google Keyword Sandbox & Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool

This method is a three-part process that will help you generate a large library of potential keyword phrases to target. It is a little time-consuming, but certainly worth the effort.

Step 1: Go to the Google Keyword Sandbox

The Google Keyword Sandbox is a keyword suggestion tool designed for Google AdWords users. However, you can enter a very general keyword here and get a nice long list of related search keyword phrases.

Let's say you are looking for people to sign up for your "business opportunity". Put that in and see what Google comes up with.

You'll find a huge list of suggestions. Choose a few that are relevant and targeted to your business opportunity and website. To the right you'll find related terms and common misspellings. Take note of those too. Then....

Step 2 Go to the Overture Term Suggestion Tool

Go to the Overture Term Suggestion Tool to see how many people are entering those particular keywords on Overture (a pay-per-click "search engine"). You can use this tool to dig for more specific keyword phrases too.

Side note: Using the Overture tool may give you a distorted view due to other people checking their own rankings (after bidding spots on Overture) and it is only a small section of all keyword searches. It also doesn't separate plural and singular entries.

Step 3 Go Back to Google & Check Your Competition

After you have chosen your keywords using the tool of your choice, go to a search engine like Google (this time, go to the home page) and see how many sites are listed for those particular keywords. You want to target keywords most frequently used by your target audience but with the least amount of competing pages.

Yes, a lot of people enter "business opportunity" into a search engine, but there are millions of sites listed. You are not likely to fall in the top. Don't be afraid of getting specific. The more specific you are, the more likely you will be placed on top. Perhaps there are not as many people entering the more specific keyword phrases, but you won't have as much competition for top placement.

So, if you offer a home based business opportunity selling skin care, your keywords might be "skin care business opportunity" as an example.

Perhaps, not as many people enter that into a search engine, but you won't have as much competition for your keywords. Besides, most people who enter "business opportunity" into a search engine aren't likely to be interested in a skincare business. You don't need these people to visit your website anyway.

---> Part 2: Choosing Keywords using WordTracker

 

More Search Engine Information: Highly Recommended! 

Check Aaron Wall's SEO Book.  Aaron's book doesn't leave any stones unturned.  He covers everything you need to know about getting traffic to your website and legitimately ranking well with the search engines. His book covers all the nitty gritty details in an easy-to-understand way.