When I work with clients on their projects, we have to discuss SEO from the start. Search engine optimization is the at the core of and the actual fiber of every site and needs to be seriously considered before a single bit of code is created or modified.

I’ve always cautioned clients that when determining and choosing the keyword phrases for their project that they need to put on their customer hat. Determine and target the phrases that your customers will actually be using to find what you have to offer — not how you want or think or prefer they find you. Two different lists altogether!

Industry terms you may use may be unknown to your target customers. Terms you would prefer to be found by may not actually be considered as terms to search with by your target market. This is where doing your keyword due diligence is so critical to your online endeavor. Guessing or thinking doesn’t make the cut — knowing what folks use is imperative to your findability! You need to determine what phrases are actually going to be used (based on tons of relevant data and services available to you that reflect what is actually being searched for) and how best to integrate your targeted phrases throughout your site.

I tripped on an article today that basically confirms what I’ve been advising for all these years. Check it out: What Are The Right Keywords? Anyone? Anyone?

Then when you are done reading that article, check out my article on Bullseye Marketing that includes a link to my favorite keyword data service to help you accomplish this task.

At your service,
Judith