One fact is clear for websites and Internet-based businesses: keyword density in articles is critical for search engine traffic.
Why Keyword Density Drives Search Engine Traffic
Simply put, a successful website owner knows that articles are the driving force behind traffic. Articles give a website higher rankings in search result pages. In turn, the higher a site ranks, the more visitors will see your business, and more potential sales realized as a result.
However, simply stuffing a site with more articles is not enough. Quality matters more than quantity. Four items should be included in each article to raise a quality standard that maximizes traffic, hits, and potential profit.
Include Keywords and Keyword Phrases
Central to any article must be keywords and keyword phrases. Website visitors are searching for a specific something, usually heading to a search engine to type in keywords: a brand name, topic, or subject.
It is important for an article of a business website owner to contain keywords related to their particular niche market. For example, a dentist would want to include articles about good hygiene and preventive care. There are many Internet tools available to help a website owner choose the right keywords, and keyword phrases are the most popular.
Keyword Density Is Key to Search Engine Traffic
Keyword density refers to the number of times a keyword or keyword phrase is used in an article. An article must have effective keyword density for a search engine to find it. The more keywords and keyword phrases used in an article, the higher a search engine will rank a site in its search results.
However, there are pitfalls. An effective article must have a keyword density that is not too high or too low. A keyword density that’s too high may appear repetitive and lose a reader. On the flip side, a low number may be ignored by the search engines.
Keyword Density Hooks ’em but Good Content Holds ’em
An article riddled with keywords is not regarded as a good read. An effective article must entertain as well as inform the reader. Correct spelling and good grammar are matters of trust and competence. Readers also respond well to figures, facts, and statistics. A well-written article that contains relevant information will boost a writer’s reputation as an expert in a given field or topic. If readers believe in a writer, they are more likely to trust in that writer’s products as well.
Link Articles to Maximize Search Engine Traffic
If a website owner chooses to submit articles to ezines and/or newsletters, providing a link to his/her site is just as important. A small resource box with a brief description of the site and the writer should always be placed right after the submitted article. If readers like the content, they most likely will click on the link directing them to the website.
In short, perception on the web is everything. If the writer wants to be perceived as a pro, he/she must act like a pro—and include what’s expected by savvy Internet readers and search engines.
* Originally published on Suite 101 January 24, 2011
