Getting to the Top of Google

The top of Google is the holy grail of Internet marketing. Here's a tip on getting there:

Pick keywords people actually use. If no one searches on your keywords, no one will find your site, no matter how well it's optimized. People waste a lot of money on keywords that no one use.

To avoid this pitfall, use Google's free Keyword Selector Tool. The tool shows you what keywords people actually use:

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

For example, we analyzed the keyword "company calendar." The tool provided a dozen alternatives, showing search volume and competition for each. Of the dozen alternatives, we chose the keywords that:

1. Most accurately described the site
2. Had good search volume (heavy actual use)
3. Had low competition

The tool suggested "company calendar software." This keyword had the same search volume as company calendar but one-tenth the competition. It also brought up "us calendar." This keyword had double the search volume with no almost competition.

Adding the keywords "software" and "us" to our original "company calendar" increased results dramatically. Researched words were on target. Terms pulled out of a hat were off target.

If you want to play this game, research your keywords. You'll save time, money, and increase your results. Good luck on your assault to the top of Google.