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My traffic is not where I need it to be, so I'm going to change my keywords a bit. Being in the gift basket business, I've been told to use location-related keywords because there is less competition. I'm in California. Should I use 'gift baskets california', 'california gift baskets', 'northern california gift baskets'...and so on. There's got to be a tool somewhere to help me figure out my best bets.


If I use a particular phrase, does the exact phrase have to be in my content? Seriously! How often would I really say 'gift baskets california'?


Sorry if this sounds lame. I've never spent too much time focusing on keywords because I don't really understand the whole thing. But I'm getting desperate!


Thanks!

I know that it's recommended for google that you don't spam your keywords...so I'd only use California, gift & baskets a few times (iread somewhere no more than six, but can't remember where that was). It's also important to frequently mention those words on your index page (as google also looks at content). Google is 2 months out though, from any changes (so your changes now won't be seen for 2 months in their search) but I believe the others update within a month. Obviously, you can't keep saying CA Gift Baskets, but you can mask it in several ways.


Our Gift Basket business, located in "Anaheim" California....


Our Gift Baskets use local, California products...


Located in California, "Gift Baskets" began in 2002 when...


You could put your full business name, Anytown, California, down at the Very bottom of your page (Like Site Design by "gift baskets" Located in California...


Hopefully that gives you a few ideas :)


I'd also change your site's title to reflect Gift Baskets (Your first few words are Buy unique gifts). And definitely more verbage on the first page will help. It isn't totally clear in your first paragraphthat you do baskets, because it sounds more like you have single gift items (your pics obviously say Gift Baskets, but Google doesn't pay much attention to those)


I'm still trying to break into Google's first couple of pages with my keywords, and finding it impossible...but I don't know why! MSN and Yahoo I'm on the first page...so go figure!smileys/smiley4.gifBut I still think I've got some time before my last changes take effect.


There are some good sites that offer keyword builders...if you *ahem* google for them, you'll be sure to find them. I think Overture is one (sorry all that info is on my other nonworking PC right now).


Hope that helps :)


CareyEdited by: LassodMoon

You can download a free 30 day trial of Wordtracker. I haven't tried it yet but I really want to smileys/smiley4.gif





www.wordtracker.com (http://www.wordtracker.com)





even more important than your keywords are the content of your website, (that means if you use a keyword on a page you should mention it within your website) and the all important link backs.


Have you listed your website in directories? dmoz.org is THE directory. Also google "open directory" and get listed in any that apply to you. Yahoo has one but they charge to be listed in it (too rich for my blood)


The more relevant link backs you have to your site, the better.Edited by: DaydreamDesignz

I've tried dmoz but haven't been accepted, I guess. I think I've submitted to them twice but never heard back. I am on other search engines and have a google PR of 2, butmy sales don't reflect that.

Free software download, recommended by Cricket (the SEO goddess) smileys/smiley2.gif


http://www.goodkeywords.com/