The difference between a “long tail keyphrase” and a “long tail keyword” is the length of the query submitted to a search engine. For example, entering “suit” in the search engine prompt, equals using a “keyword”; typing in “men’s suits” or “black suit” generates a keyphrase.

Experienced link builders often use long tail keyphrases because they increase conversion rates. The higher the conversion rate, the more business will be coming your way – at least, if the phrases are related to your business or the products and services you are selling.

Long tail keyword phrase identification methods

1. Analysis software – Web analytics solution software will not only give you rich insights into your website traffic and marketing effectiveness, but can also tell you which long tail keywords and phrases are most effective for your industry. Using software certainly beats wading through your personally logged research information, which can be tedious and boring. A number of online analytic software programs can be accessed free of charge.
2. Online keyword research tools – These resources can be used to determine the best long tail keyphrases for your site. Simply enter a few generic terms and the program will attempt to find the most effective long-tails for you. Some will even add numerous modifiers. This is quite helpful, because Internet users sometimes misspell words. They either accidently make a typo or they don’t know the correct spelling of the word. Either way, theses research tools can give you suggestions on how to still redirect these users to your site.

3. Observe primary keyphrase rankings – Analyze SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) and search for primary keyphrases. Then pick those that are high ranking. For instant, valuable long tail keyphrases for “suit” may be “mens suit”, “women’s suits,” “dress suits,” “designer suits,” “business suits,” “cheap suits,” etc. These are excellent additions to your main keyword selection. On the other hand, don’t go overboard with your selection.
4. Create a worksheet – Spreadsheets are a great tool for a brainstorming exercise. First, put together a list of generic phrases, adverbs and adjectives related to your business or website. Write down everything that comes to mind. Once you run out of ideas, ask friends, family members, employees, other vendors in your field, or anyone else you know to tell you which phrases they would use if they wanted to locate you on the Web. Compare their answers to what you already have on your worksheet and add those suggestions you missed. The more people you ask, the more keyphrases you will collect. Also, register how many times a certain keyword or phrase reoccurs. Returning to our example, if “business suit” was mentioned six times and “my suit” only once, which one do you think would be the better long tail keyphrase to use when building links?

Now that you have a list of relevant keyphrases examine your landing pages. If you discover that few of your high-ranking long tail keywords and phrases are missing, you will have to create new content for those pages. For those among you who have trouble inserting keywords and phrases into compelling text, it may be worthwhile hiring a professional writer.

Creating content with long tail keyword links
Create a baseline – Baselines are frequently overlooked during the link building process. That is too bad, as baselines can often identify how much traffic is currently coming in. Through baselines, or any other method you are currently using, you should be able to see which keyphrases generate traffic and which ones help you improve your rankings with the search engines. Paying extra attention to your rankings after changing some of your prime keywords will also divulge if your changes are paying off and if traffic and conversions are increasing.

Monitor your progress – It is obvious that all changes have to be carefully monitored. Keep track of your progress, and make more changes if not enough referrals are registered. Keep replacing keyphrases that do not trigger sufficient traffic or conversions until you find those that guarantee satisfying and lasting results. Keep expanding your list of keyphrases and links until your site is fully optimized. Also, remember to add some longer keyphrases as some Web users can be very specific in their search.

Keep building – Long tail optimization procedures tend to show results quicker than generic phrase changes. Especially the more competitive ones sometimes require months to show any sizeable results. Long tail keyphrases, on the other hand, can show results fast; in some cases improvements were recorded almost overnight.

Capitalizing on long tail keywords and phrases is a very smart move. By including these useful gems into your optimization strategy you will not only jazz up your link building efforts, but you will also be able to increase rankings, attract more visitors and create more conversions.

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