For most websites, when the keywords are first chosen, they are often high search volume, head keywords targeted. The market for such keywords is a tough one, oversaturated with every Tom, Dick and Harry trying to rank for it in search engines. This stiff competition, as all adversity does, lead to a discovery in the power of long-tail keywords, which seemed to be ranking easier and converting better. From 2005 – 2009, the focus on head keywords shifted for most experienced SEO professionals, most notably in Chris Anderson’s book: “The Long Tail: Why the future of business is selling less for more”. They encouraged clients and friends to focus on long-tail keywords. Then, this past September was filled with high expectations for Google Instant and the likely death of the long-tail keyword. (more…)

As with everything in life, too much of one thing can lead to undesired results. The same lessons have been learned when it comes to on-site and off-site tactics for search engine optimization (SEO). There must be a balance between the factors that make up each to have your website rank well for Google, Bing, Yahoo and other major search engines. As you test and improve the elements that make up the on-site and of-site factors for your websites SEO, pay close attention to how balanced they remain. Tipping the scale too far either way can result in penalization and de-ranking. Most times it’s best to let a professional web marketing team do the job for you. (more…)