Keyword Research

As I get ready to begin work on a huge keyword research project, I have been thinking about how to best organize this and exactly what tools I will use. I thought it might be helpful to list some of the best keyword research tools here.

As far as free tools are concerned, there are just a few I find valuable:

• Digital Point Solutions' Keyword Suggestion Tool - uses Wordtracker & Overture results
• Overture Keyword Selector Tool
  
• The Google Adwords Keyword Tool

As for paid keyword research tools/services, I do find that Wordtracker ($51.83/mo. - one day subscription is $$7.77) is important. I have also used Keyword Discovery, which costs $49.95 per month. There have been times when I can find better, more relevant terms with this tool than with Wordtracker and the more I use this tool, the better I like it.

Put together, all of these tools give me a good idea of the best search terms to use. I know that there are some other free tools out there, some using Keyword Discovery results, but I find that for the sake of time and efficiency, I'm better off using the paid Keyword Discovery and Wordtracker programs along with the free tools I've mentioned above.

If you think I've missed an important keyword research tool, feel free to leave a comment and let us know about your favorite.

I almost forgot this. Aaron Wall has an extremely indepth article that reviews these and many more research tools here. It is well worth reading.

Figuring Out The Blog

This is not the easiest thing in the world to figure out. I'm trying to modify my blog template so that you can subscribe to it from the Links, but I'm not having much luck. It seemed to work at first, but now I'm not seeing it.

SEO & Trust - Some Thoughts....

It was bound to come to this. A rainy Saturday night in New Mexico and I'm starting a Blog. Oh well, someday I'll get a life.

I read an interesting article tonight about the Google Trustbox that got my thinking about clients who want to buy a new domain and compete with the "big guys". The article by Stuntdubl, The Trust Knob is WAY too High - Google Trustbox, talks about how successful SEO requires a "Crusty trusted domain + content", when a few years ago, it was "Content + high PR links".

A very interesting article and I can't say that I disagree with the points made. However, I do think there is hope for the "new guy" with a new domain and lots of great content and a good, solid linking program. I think that a lot depends on the industry or niche - the amount and type of competition - the new website faces. I also think that a lot of very good, deep content on a new site will win over an old domain site with stale, weak content. In this sense, content is still king. But, the bar has been raised. There is no doubt about this. The days of throwing up a website with a bit of content, getting a lot of high PR links and waiting a short time for the money to start rolling in are long gone. However, what I really think is most important is that a good, solid business model will win over one that is not as solid. It takes more than a website, optimized or not, to make a good business. And, it's good business that it's really all about. Having a Trusted Business is more important than having a trusted domain. And, it does take time to build trust in a business - Internet-based or otherwise.

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