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Keywords represent a user's needs, desires, problems, and issues. In order to cater to the needs of the users, or a specific group of users, you should know what keywords they are most likely to type in the search field.

Keyword research is the process of finding the right keywords related to your website and analyzing which among them will generate high traffic to your site. This will in turn yield high sales or revenues for your online business.

Here are some things that you need to keep in mind when going through keyword research process:

' Your main keyword.

If you don't know what your main keyword should be, just ask yourself a very simple question; 'What am I doing in order to make money online?'

If you sell used cars online, then having 'used cars' as your main keyword sounds good.

It is important, however, that you avoid keywords that are too general and competitive. This can be done by listing specific keywords once you have identified your target market.

' Your target market.

Your target market is made up of users who are interested to learn about or purchase the products and services that you offer online. Who are most likely to purchase your products?

Your target market depends on the coverage of your business. If you limit your business to just selling used cars within Texas, then your target market should be Texans who want to purchase used cars.

' Your specific keywords.

Your specific keywords should meet the needs of your target market. You can have three to five specific keywords for every web page in your site.

If you are selling used cars in Texas, then your specific keywords should include the noun 'Texas'. If you sell a particular brand of used cars, say BMW, then you should indicate BMW in your specific keywords.

Through your general and specific keywords, you can identify the contents you need to include in your website. Main keywords, for example, can be used as a title of your website or blog. Main keywords can also be used as your domain name. Specific keywords can be used as a tag or title of your individual posts.

' Using keyword suggestion tools.

Yahoo's Overture is the simplest keyword suggestion tool that you can use. It works by giving you a list of keywords that users are more likely to type into the search fields. The list usually contains keyword search volume or count for a particular period of time.

Other keyword tools like Wordtracker or Good Keywords and might require you to download the software into your computer for free or with minimal pay. Downloadable and paid keyword suggestion tools might have features which are not available in free web-based tools like Overture.

By following these simple keyword essentials, there is a high possibility that your entire search engine optimization process will become a success. Yes, keyword research is just the first step in increasing traffic to your website. So you'd better make one good leap at it in order to top the search engine results and increase the volume of your product sales.