Strategic organic SEO begins with solid keyword research and website analysis. Keyword research requires an in-depth look into both external and internal factors. Although most insights for SEO derive from external sources, such as keyword search volumes and sources of traffic, some ideas for optimization may spawn from internal intelligence. Have you ever wondered which page of a website is most primed to rank for a select search phrase? For smaller websites, the answer might be obvious.

But for larger websites, particularly those optimizing for new keywords or hefty long-tails, the answer to that question might be harder to find. Here we offer one of the simple keyword research techniques to help you evaluate your site's search prowess from an internal perspective. In other words, this easy research tactic will tell you which pages of a website have the highest potential to rank on a given keyword target.

Enter: Google Search "Site:"

At Google.com, enter in the search field "site:" followed by the domain of the website (no space, including www.). Submitting this search query alone will exclusively display the most powerful webpages of the domain in the organic results. However, if after the domain a keyword phrase is added, the results will then rank the webpages of the site in relation to the latter phrase.

Consider this make-believe scenario: The SEO team behind www.carters.com is optimizing the website for kid's sleepwear, particularly pajamas for boys. As a large ecommerce store for baby and toddler clothing, the webpage on carters.com that is most related to boys pajamas may requires some digging. The SEO team can determine the most relevant page on the site for "boy’s pajamas" with the "site:" technique. They can do a Google search for "site:www.carters.com boys pajamas" - and voila!

Now the SEO team of www.carters.com can be certain that the "Boys Pajamas | Kids Sleepwear" page is best primed for the keyword optimization of "boys pajamas."

This information is invaluable, because it does not rely on assumptions or SEO speculation. This internal keyword research technique objectively tells us the page(s) most relevant to the keyword phrase from Google's point-of-view. This little keyword research trick can help you pinpoint both the most powerful overall webpages of a website, as well as the most relevant webpages of a website with respect to a give keyword. For deep websites, this can be an efficient technique, saving time from sifting though sitemaps and website navigation. And if the results of the “site:” research are undesirable, this keyword research technique might even motivate the creation of new, more optimized webpage.

Whether as the starting point for optimization, or a supplement for keyword information, the process for most SEO’s includes the use of Google’s keyword tool. Putting the Google Keyword Tool to use is a cinch. You simply plug in your desired keyword phrases and start analyzing. However there are a few essential learning curves to get the most from the Google Keyword Tool. The tips below can help you become more efficient, and more aware, during your keyword research endeavor.

Segment Your Queries

When searching for additional keyword ideas, using the keyword tool in chunks, or related segments, is ideal. Submitting a vast list of several unrelated keywords can result in a mediocre return. If you are researching more than just a few keyword phrases, or seeking the perfect keyword variations, chop your research list into categories.

By submitting a few related keywords, rather than a laundry list, the return will yield keywords that are more relevant and focused to the topic. As a result, your keyword list will expand into many insightful variations and awesome long-tails. This approach is definitely more time consuming than the alternative mass submission, but it’s worth it. Not only are the returns greater by segmenting keywords, but the structure of the end result is more organized too.

Especially from an agency perspective, offering a neatly segmented keyword list is clutch. It allows other viewers to analyze keywords in a more logical and cohesive manner. (Tip: using tabs in a spreadsheet to represent each keyword category works great)

Almost Always Be [Exact]

In left hand navigation of Google’s keyword tool is the option to display Broad, [Exact], and/or “Phrase” match results. By default, the tool will only show keyword volumes and data based on Broad phrase matches. That can make the keyword volumes appear extremely inflated than what they actually represent. It is important to note the immense breadth of Google’s Broad phrase match. In Pay Per Click advertising, bidding on Broad keywords establishes tremendous variation, or keyword flexibility.

For example, the keyword phrase “kids shirts” might also trigger Broad-based variations like “boys tops” or “girls T-shirt.” So if Google’s keyword tool claims that “kids shirts” is search approximately 201,000 times a month, think again.

While conducting keyword research for organic SEO, or virtually any keyword-based Online marketing, almost always check the [Exact] phrase match box. It is the only legitimate representation of true search volume for particular keyword phrase.

Take the Contextual Tool for a Test Drive

Google’s Contextual Targeting tool is a great resource, particular for those in Pay Per Click advertising. Although its not only for PPC advertisers, the Contextual tool hints at how the search engine “decks” or “indices” work. It breaks down keywords into endless possibilities, revealing new long-tail variations behind each door.

If you haven’t dabbled in the Google Contextual Targeting tool, take it for a quick spin. It can expand your horizons on select keywords and offer insights for further optimization down the road. Like mentioned above, Google’s keyword tool is pretty easy and straight-forward (perhaps too much so.) Be mindful of the phrase matching and keep your keywords nice and organized. It will help facilitate your optimization efforts as well as your deliverables.

Writing compelling press releases and distributing them through the right platforms is a start, however when taken a step further, press releases offer great potential for Internet marketing and SEO. An optimized press release can result in better search engine visibility and a greater contribution to a website’s SEO efforts.

Consider the following 5 tips to optimize a press release.

5 Tips For Press Release Optimization

1. Like an optimized webpage, an optimized press release should contain relevant keywords. Think in terms of what someone might be searching on the web that may lead them to your press release. Include such phrases in the title and throughout the body of the press release.
    
2. Format your press release using headers, bold or strong tags, and italics. Take the keywords in which you pinpointed from step one, and use them in headers or bold them in appropriate instances throughout the copy.
    
3. Include links in your press release. Whether back to your website, or to a credible source relevant to the press release, including links can make your press release more valuable. In addition, links with custom anchor text can be a great tool for SEO.
    
4. Utilize images and videos to better optimize a press release. Take this one step further by using your keyword targets name these files, and if allowed, use keywords appropriately as alternative text (alt tags).
    
5. Invest for distribution. Free syndication is not always as effective if your goal is to optimize your website and press release visibility. A pay-for-use press release submission site increases the chances of your press release being ranked well in the search engines. PRweb and i-Newswire are two that offer great features.

Press release optimization offers a number of advantages, from generating valuable backlinks to expanding your search visibility. Don’t just publish your press release, optimize your press release for greater opportunities.