Every now and then I check Google Analytics to review my top search terms from my internal site search to make sure my visitors are finding what they need. Last week I did a check on my static site and found that my top searched terms are…
1) Indent
2) AdSense
3) Camera
4) Dreamweaver
5) WordPress
I must say, the word “indent” keyword surprised me a bit — especially at #1. “Camera” was a bit of a surprise as well. However, after thinking it through a bit, it makes sense. I do a lot of YouTube videos and people often email me or post questions on YouTube about what camera/software I use.
Nevertheless, I am putting the finishing touches on a new page that discusses recording online videos, the camera I use and additional video tips.
When’s the last time you performed this exercise? You may be surprised to find what people are looking for on your site. I never would have guessed “indent” would be the #1 searched term on 2CreateAWebSite.com.
Always make sure you’re giving your visitors what they need by reviewing your search reports on a regular basis. As website owners, we often assume people can find everything, but your search reports may tell a different story.
And if you aren’t tracking this, sign up with Google Custom Search. If you use Google Analytics, you can pull up the reports right inside your account under the “Content” tab.
This is just a quick reminder to check those reports from time to time. You may find a couple of surprising results as I did. 🙂
Thanks for showing the creative use of Google analytically tools
Yes that is what they are searching for. The first thing that attract visitors is the Headline and the Content. You have got the right post, i have my website but the problem was that a few months ago i did not have the people visiting my website, i was confused then i hired a SEO.
this is something new you are telling me, Ok I would check it today. It is sometimes confusing what people are searching for, you are right about being surprise about the things people online are showing interest at.
I’m very glade you point this out. This article is very helpful, especially me. I own SBI!. I really didn’t pay attention to Total Keywords section in Traffic Stats. After reading your article, I immediately went to my Site Central and check my Traffic Stats.
Bad! I found that my website’s #1 searched term is not really related to my site concept. Hmm…
Now I’m aware of how important it is to check my site on a regular basic. Thanks, Lisa.
same with me while i use webmaster tools to look for my website search term . What surprise me is while lot of people search on internet speed test to reach us more than our web hosting services.
The first thing that attract visitors is the Headline and the Content. content is the most important thing in an website. make it more useful for the reader.
“Content is king!” Useful information and great content is still the best way to make visitors love your site.
Thanks for the great article Lisa. I really hope I covet all the subjects you cover.
Then, if possible, I re-do the page to match what most people are searching for and keep them around longer.
It is sometimes confusing what people are searching for, you are right about being surprise about the things people online are showing interest at. Checking the reports is one way to know what people are looking for online.
Yes, sometimes the keywords that people use to find your site can be surprising. It happens a lot to me as well.
Great tip. I try to do this every so often, but I’ve noticed that Google Analytics takes a few days to catch up; i.e., it’s not in real time. And sometimes clicks that I know I’ve received on a particular day never show up. Anyone else ever have this problem?
Very good question you`ve just raised, I`ve seen many bloggers, in order to bring traffic they are not providing the quality content or the content the post article should provide.
Be clear about what you are going to write and be true to yourself. I think that comes first before checking the insights and other things. What`s say?
Hey lisa this is the second time i visited your blog though i already visited thousand of time but as a refferal this is the second time. You will hate why i visited your site, just for commenting and getting backlink lol but after reading your post I m your big fan. I really love your article btw thans for sharing your tips with us.
Google Analytics is a must to have these days. We can know what our readers click on which topic the most and we can expand that particular topic as well..
I have to agree with you that people often don’t check this while it is very important you do. The other thing you want to make sure of is your internal search for your website returns quality results because to often do you see websites that have a search box, but don’t return good results.
You have got the right post, i have my website but the problem was that a few months ago i did not have the people visiting my website, i was confused then i hired a SEO. Now my site is doing good and people are coming on my website regularly. The SEO helped and suggested me things and changes that needed to be done now my site is more user friendly and as now i have made it according to a user how he wants it. Nice post.
I check my google stats constantly. I know what visitors I need to attract but it’s the keywords I look at which helps me with article and future blog posts.
Eric
I’ve checked mine recently and it is odd some of the things people find your site with. Sometimes you can see the relevance and sometimes it comes from left field. I like Sunil’s idea of writing content that fits with the searches.
Thanks for a great post, i learn a lot from your site! cheers!
Great point. Saves everyone time and money!
Lisa — first of all i would like to thank you for sharing this post. I am completely agreed to your points. Google analytics is one things which is also helping me to keep an eye of the keywords by which people are searching.
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First off, Thanks Lisa. Great reminder. How can you effectively use popular search to incorporate it in a web.2 site to help it’s ranking or attract organic traffic? Isn’t that what it’s all about? I start chasing methodologies to the extent that it becomes distracting.
i am using Google analytics already and i think they finding what they need but sometimes the search terms are different from the content, thats because Google also crawled the words from the readers comments, same like what happened to you with #3 “Camera”
Thanks Lesa! I’m installing Google Search now. Your post made a lot of sense.
Thanks for the great tips Lisa, especially the part of Google Analytics. I’ve completely forgot about it. My bad! I just took a peek now and I now have a clearer idea on what adjustments I need to do for my blog.
I’m using Google Analytics already. So now I’m going to use Google Custom Search also.
This is great advice. It is advice that I will be taking more seriously from now on. I cant wait to read more of the advice you have to give.
You can also use Google Custom search to check your name, especially if you’re running a business and you want to protect your name / brand you can find out if someone writes bad /good things about you.
Btw, commentluv not working 🙁
Great post, i think my visitors are finding what they need. I always check my analytics.
Yeah, thank’s lisa for reminding this.
I went back and revised the keywords on tons of content I worked on long ago and saw major improvements.These simple and powerful things will give big results.
My gaming forum always gets weird searches. A few months ago, one of the top 10 searched keywords was “gardening” – I think a member posted a gardening thread somewhere and somehow it took over the searches.
I use cpanel’s awstats for that (and sometimes check on analytics).
Another Amazing Post Lisa! I dont know what i would do without you, i think my website page rank would be much worse. Just little tips like keyword optimization can make such a big difference
Lisa, Once again, thanks for the tips!
Sometimes I am so “busy” looking for ways to increase visitors to my sites that I actually forgot Google Analytic still exist.
You are like a mentor who constantly ensure that those who followed you are always kept up-to-date with information that matters to them.
P/S: Wonder why your CommentLuv is no longer picking up my previous post feed?
I just added a google search to the Shred website that I fixed up with your templates no less. I’ll have to see what people are searching for when they visit. It’s nice too to have that search box, because I have made a bit of money with it as well.
This is great information. I will take note of the Google Custom Search link, as this is something I have not considered before. I do use analytics, but it only shows so much. Thanks for the tips!
thanks for the great article about making our site more useful!
Hi Lisa,
I check mine every week or two. I think it’s good practice to stay on top on what people are looking for. I got one weired one in my search list which is not relevant but I used a cola advert to illustrate a problem and people looking for that add arrive on my site. Not relevant but what can you do?
Nik
Yes I hear ya, I have seen some weird search terms on my sites before too. This is something that I kind of got away from as life can be hectic at times. Thanks for the post, I’m going to go check my top search terms now.
Sincerely,
Jamie Boyle
Internet Marketer
Infect I never analyzed the internal search for my blog. this is something new you are telling me, Ok I would check it today.
I always check my internal site search because this is what determines which recipes I should write about or make a video of first. I try to work on stuff that are in high demand 🙂
The “indent” search on your site may be visitors searching for the HTML code for indenting text in an HTML document.
Yes that is what they are searching for. I was just saying I was surprised that it was #1.
Well said Lisa, its good to check your keyword stats. I installed a WP plugin that does that job about a week ago to compliment my analytics report.
So respected “LISA” will start working on either “indent” or “camera”…..!
Lisa, I’m looking forward to your tutorial on recording online videos. Thanks for the keyword-check suggestion!
At this time my page rank is not so good and my web site visitors is limited. But i am trying to do something special for increase Page rank and visitors. This is good suggestion for me. Of course I check and see which search terms my visitor is using to find me. For this good suggestion of course you are check and see which search terms your visitor is using to find you to get a Thanks.
Lisa, that is definitely one of the most important things to do. I sometimes (not often enough) check my keywords stats and see what pages are found for which keywords. If the bounce rate is high I know it isn’t what they are searching for. Then, if possible, I re-do the page to match what most people are searching for and keep them around longer.
Sometimes it was my mistake from the very beginning, when I had one idea for a keyword when people are actually searching for something else with that keyword.
This is a good practice to remind people of. I remember in my early days of SEO that I often neglected to check the search terms that lead to my clients’ sites. I guess it’s a part of SEO no one really speaks of yet everyone assumes is being practiced.
How do you, Lisa, get around having unwanted keywords?
Hi Marie, not sure what you mean by “unwanted” keywords.
Do you mean having your site get found through keywords which are not relevant to your content? If so, that’s one of my top problems to solve on my site…
Lisa– this is a good reminder to check and see which search terms your visitor is using to find you. It also helps you stay relevant in answering questions that your visitors are asking. I am going over to Google Analytics right now to check things out. Thanks for the nudge!
very good point. i tend to check couple times a year and i am always surprised to see some of the terms in there. a lot of times i will read search terms and phrases that give me new ideas of content to create, so i create content that is optimized specifically for those terms and phrases, of course keeping the human reader in mind first and foremost. a great way to build targeted traffic you already know you will be getting 😉