Search Keyword Reports

With today's competitive business environment on the Internet, search engine rankings, search words and content optimization have never been so vital, or complicated. Search engine optimization (SEO) has become an industry all its own, and as with any popular trend online, there are good and bad resources.

How do you avoid hiring an SEO "expert" that is only out to take your money?

• First of all, if they make promises of getting you ranked in the "top 10" or any particular rank, they are bogus. "Guaranteed placement" is not possible and can not be truly guaranteed unless they own the search engine you are to be ranked within.
  
  
• Secondly, sign up for a good Web analytics solution (read reviews of some top services here) and watch your keyword trends, search engine rankings and referral links. This will show you exactly where your expert has positioned you, and where you need to do some "tweaking" and adjusting.
  
  
• And, of course, look for references and real client scenarios, as with any service agency you wish to hire.

While you are looking for a Web analytics, also known as Web metrics, solution, be sure to look at examples of their keyword reports. The richer the data, the better the report. It is also advisable to get real-time data, which only a couple services offer right now... VisiStat and Coremetrics.

The importance of good keywords can not be dismissed. To get attention online, among the billions of other Websites and Web pages, you need to be available to those who are looking for what you have to offer. This is done by being listed in the search engines, and using relevant, rich, popular and specific keywords. And being able to watch them perform is invaluable. This is why the search engine, or search keyword, reports are so important and useful.

The more information you can get about how visitors behave on your site, and how they found your site, the better you can make corrections, optimize content and search words, and the more attention your site will gain.

So, when you are looking for a Web analytics or traffic reporting service, be sure they offer good keyword and search reports. Once you start using them, you honestly won't know how you performed with out them!