Search Keyterms (or key words) are still a primary focus in web site search engine optimization and do continue to contribute to higher search result ranking.  While search rank should not be a primary focus, it should one of many internet marketing goals.  However, there is no point in achieving high search result ranking if the landing pages that are ranking well are doing nothing for your website conversion rate.

To put it another way (and to be blunt), if your content stinks and your landing pages lack the organization or information your visitors want or need, all the rank in the world will do absolutely no good for you.  In fact, it will drive business elsewhere.

If you are using Google Analytics (or other similar analytical tools), you should be watching this information and making adjustments accordingly.  Let’s review a real-life example. Customer “X” sells a particular type of gloves online.  Of the top 20 performing web site keyterms, 6 of them are related to a paticular type of glove which is not selling well.  Out of those 6 search terms, 5 of them rank in the top ten positions in Google (or display on Google Page 1 search results).   When looking at sales, these gloves are just not selling.   This lends to the question… why?

Why are these gloves not selling if most of our web traffic is coming from those search terms and they have great Google search rank?

We dug in a bit deeper and checked out the keyterm bounce rate for Google traffic and the associate landing page specific bounce rate.  Here’s what I found…  The average bounce rate for those 6 keyterms was over 80% – Not Good.

The above graph is showing those top 6 performing keyterms and what the individual bounce rates are for each.  With that average bounce rate being almost 84%, we quickly realized there was an issue with the content related to those search terms.  To take it to the next level we can dig in to each of those keyterms and review the top landing pages for each.

The above graph shows that the top performing keyterms from the first chart has 2 associated landing pages.  We can then dig into those associated landing pages.  In this real life example, we learned there was a gross pricing error on their site, which made their gloves appear twice as expensive as their online competition.  No wonder they were not selling anything!

We were able to take real data and make sense of the fact that even though search results were fantastic, the site just wasnt working.  The product descriptions had errors that were causing customers to go elsewhere to buy the same product.

If your bounce rates are high it could mean several things (Read “Does Your Website Have Static Cling?“).  If it’s a product page, review the product description, pricing, shipping information.    If it’s not a product page, review the page layout and content.  Find out what your users are looking for when searching on those related terms and adjust your page content accordingly to improve conversions.

Please don’t ignore your bounce rate.  There is so much it can tell you about your web sites performance if you only just listen to what it’s telling you.

The transition of a website from “build” to “marketing” is always an interesting one. Very rarely does a new website get launched that is full of keyterm rich content, unique and interesting content, and most importantly… relevant content. That is not to say it does not happen with much pulling teeth and dragging them along kicking and screaming by our most talented production group here at Cazbah. What is does mean, is that once their site is officially in “internet marketing” mode, it is my job as their Internet Marketing Account Manager to help them to “see the light”.

Common misconception: If we build it… they will come. This is not the “Field of Dreams” people.

The correct line of thinking is much like the mustard seed – you must plant it, water it and nurture it. Only then can it grow. Like the farmer who works his field – we we reap what we sow. If we work the web site and work it well, we can reap the rewards that will follow.

What generally happens? I am handed an eCommerce website that has very little static content, and product descriptions that leave a lot to be desired. This is okay because it gives me a baseline to work from – and truth be told, I love starting with a website that has zero ranking in Google and is not converting. I am passionate about turning that website into a content rich and interesting website, that oh-by-the-way also happens to sell a product.

Don’t misunderstand, there is much emphasis placed on optimizing the product pages with well written descriptions and product titles – with the end goal for those products being that they obtain their own ranking in the search engines, and ultimately convert to online sales.

It’s the other content I like to focus on. This is an area you can define an online niche opportunity. Take a look at your customer’s base line keyword ranking – what keyterms are relevant that they are not currently gaining any search engine ranking on? (This of course assumes you have done your keyterm research and have a set of keywords to focus on.)

Analyze your list of keywords and see which terms are not getting any search engine ranking. You now know where to start with writing new content for your website. Build informational content that will educate your site visitors about what you have to offer that is unique and different. Why should your customers buy online from you? What makes you better than your online competition? What makes your online product unique? What about the service you offer is by far the best? Help your potential customers make a decision to buy your product or use your service.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple tip that I have found works with my clients. Often times I am dealing with VITO of Company “X”. VITO (or Very Important Top Officer) does not have time to write content, and frankly does not see the value of writing “stuff”. “My products are online what more do I need?” If I can get VITO to write just one piece of content to prove my point, I push them to write a Glossary of Terms for their website.

Write me a glossary – start with your top ten keywords and build them into an online glossary. Or take each product and define it. For example I have a client who sells Air Pollution Abatement Equipment. Well not everyone on the planet knows what a carbon scrubber is or what it does – and I tell you with no uncertainty that the search engines do not know what they are.

I emphasize to my clients that they are writing this content more for the search engines then they are for their website visitors. Now, that said – once the search engines recognize the new content as being relevant, and it is well written, the end result of course would be gaining ranking on some of your additional keywords – thereby helping new and potential customers not only find your website, but LEARN about what you do and/or sell online.

I have proven this to be an effective technique to teaching my clients how important keyword rich website content can be. Taking some important keyterms that are ranked somewhere below 30 in Google and working them to the first page on Google is proof that your content can define your website. Once my clients see this online glossary of terms work, they are more than willing to continue writing new content.

Keep track of your keyword search engine ranking on a regular basis. If you a see keyword begin to lose search engine ranking, or a keyword that is not performing – analyze the content (or lack thereof) associated with that keyword and work it!

That’s my story… and I’m sticking to it! Content. Content. Content.

SEO back in the day was the latest and greatest thing.  People realized they could improve their search engine ranking through optimization of their site.  Everyone jumped on the SEOwagon.   It started with meta-tags, and people packing their sites full of invisible keywords to get ranking.  You remember – white text on white background that nobody but the search engines could see.  That just doesn’t fly anymore.