Keywords are Key

This article "10 Steps To Top 10 Rankings In Google" places a good deal of emphasis on researching and using keywords and keyphrases properly for good Google rankings.

It says that using keywords that are too competitive will not do your site justice. Keep in mind:

Well established sites and businesses with very deep pockets have the resources to completely dominate those keywords.

That doesn't mean don't use competitive keywords, but you must also research and use 'long-tail' keywords. For example, instead of concentrating on the keywords "office furniture" try targeting "home office furniture" or "[brand-name] office furniture".

You'll have less competition for these phrases and will deliver more targeted traffic to your site. The biggest mistake I see clients make is to assume once they are online, that the entire world is their market. Your market is still your market, no matter if you're brick and mortar or online. There are segments of the population that will never buy from you because they simply don't need or want your product or service.

Trying to be all things to all consumers is the biggest waste of time for an online business.

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