Trying to create my own Keyword research process. Please review...

[Ron.]

I am trying to create a method to the madness. I took stuff from many posts on the WF. The process that I have comes from comments about kw research that I noticed over and over in many posts.

I do know this is not the only method and many of you will find flaws in this method because it's not your way of doing things.

BUT, I am trying to create a method that works for me. So please take that into account as you review my method.

If you are really good at Kw research by all means let me know what I can add/take away to my process.

What I am trying to do is have a manual process that is fairly doable and accurate untill I make a few bucks from my IM, than I'll buy a keyword tool.


Here's what I have thus far:

Ron's Keyword Research Process: Using Google's External Keyword Tool as my research tool

1-At least 1550 monthly search results per kw.
2-Less than 50,000 competing sites in Google SERP's (kw in quotes)
3-Less than 200 incoming links. (To measure incoming links of any given site/page visit Yahoo Site Explorer)
4-No authority sites in the top 3 is also a good sign.
5-Check Strength of Site-(KWs they're going after, # of links to KW page, # of links to main page, PR, etc)

*********

Keyword research is by far the only thing I struggle with. I'd like to have my own process to rely on. By doing this I'll never be able to use "not having enough money to buy a tool" as my excuse for not succeeding with IM.

Once I see this mountain in my review mirror, I can go climb other mountains.


Thanks for responding,

[Ron.]

Any takers......



Thanks

[The Expert]

You seem to have the core tenants there. Two missing elements are Average Adwords Cost p/Click and Average Keyword Value.

If the Average cost p/click is rediculously low, then that means that people are not finding enough value in the keyword. If they can't make it work with paid traffic (which is like crack to internet marketers) then it's not likely you could make it work well with organic traffic.

You Average Keyword Value is the estimated # of clicks p/day if you were the top guy multiplied by the Average Cost p/Click. This value gives you a guideline of how valuable the niche is and if it's worth fighting for.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you that you NEED to get Market Samurai. You'll earn back the initial investment in time savings in the very first week...after that it's free!

Market Samurai right now is the ultimate power in the keyword research universe...I suggest you use it.

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Ron:

I feel that the "quotes" search doesn't add much value. Also, the Google KW Tool search volumes aren't directly useful for Google.com organic search because they include the search network.

Rather than me creating another novel-length post here, search the forums for the term GTEF and you'll see my take based on 15 years of serious KW research.

[Matt M]

Hi Ron,

A lot of valuable work there.

I always try for at least 3000 monthly searches as that breaks down to 100 a day.

Using intitle:"keyword" search gives me a better idea of the real competition.
( your KW in "" is good idea but when you use the intitle search you eliminate a lot of those others that just have the keywords in their page. )

These are sites that have my keywords in their title. Since I always put my keywords into my url and page title I have a little bit of an advantage over those that don't.

( of course if you are up against too many sites with high PR or Authority sites in the top ten you still have a battle)

So, I try to avoid competing with Authority sites with all of the incoming links and / or the front page has an overall PR of 4 or higher.

( check the PR of each of the top ten and divide by ten. )

Overall, pretty good system you have for yourself. The most important thing is if it works for you then keep working it.

Matt

[Ron.]

Thank you Michael,

Originally Posted by Matthew Maiden

Hi Ron,

A lot of valuable work there.

I always try for at least 3000 monthly searches as that breaks down to 100 a day.

Using intitle:"keyword" search gives me a better idea of the real competition.
( your KW in "" is good idea but when you use the intitle search you eliminate a lot of those others that just have the keywords in their page. )

These are sites that have my keywords in their title. Since I always put my keywords into my url and page title I have a little bit of an advantage over those that don't.

( of course if you are up against too many sites with high PR or Authority sites in the top ten you still have a battle)

So, I try to avoid competing with Authority sites with all of the incoming links and / or the front page has an overall PR of 4 or higher.

( check the PR of each of the top ten and divide by ten. )

Overall, pretty good system you have for yourself. The most important thing is if it works for you then keep working it.

Matt

[Ron.]

TE,


thanks. You're not the only person that has mentioned M.S.. But before I pay for a tool I want to:

Get a good understanding of kw research

Make a few bucks first, before I start spending more money. Buying a kw tool will be my reward when I make my first $1000 online.



Thanks for the good advice.

Originally Posted by The Expert

You seem to have the core tenants there. Two missing elements are Average Adwords Cost p/Click and Average Keyword Value.

If the Average cost p/click is rediculously low, then that means that people are not finding enough value in the keyword. If they can't make it work with paid traffic (which is like crack to internet marketers) then it's not likely you could make it work well with organic traffic.

You Average Keyword Value is the estimated # of clicks p/day if you were the top guy multiplied by the Average Cost p/Click. This value gives you a guideline of how valuable the niche is and if it's worth fighting for.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you that you NEED to get Market Samurai. You'll earn back the initial investment in time savings in the very first week...after that it's free!

Market Samurai right now is the ultimate power in the keyword research universe...I suggest you use it.

[Ron.]

SCK,


Thanks for the post. I'll be sure to do a search. I am at the point to where I've done many searches and I am now ready to make some things happen. I can only search for so long before I need to get busy.

I wanted to have a uniform process that I can follow to do kw research. I figured it was time to create my own process. I needed to get some clarity. Searching and searching can sometimes prevent you from doing anything

I am not looking for anything ultra complicated but something that will help me accomplish my goals. I am not trying to become a SEO expert. I just need to know enough to get me over the "hump" so I can see some results.


Thanks again and continued success,

Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly

Ron:

I feel that the "quotes" search doesn't add much value. Also, the Google KW Tool search volumes aren't directly useful for Google.com organic search because they include the search network.

Rather than me creating another novel-length post here, search the forums for the term GTEF and you'll see my take based on 15 years of serious KW research.