Review: WordTracker is the Key to SEO

WordTracker is an online keyword analysis service designed to help Web site owners with SEO by identifying keywords and phrases that are relevant to their business. With WordTracker, you can determine how many competing sites are using the same keywords and also identify the keywords, including misspelled words and phrases, that have the greatest traffic potential in major search engines and directories.

WordTracker works by compiling a database of over 300 million search terms that have been collected from MetaCrawler.com and DogPile.com. The database of search terms is mainly derived by searching other Web sites' keywords, comparing them in a thesaurus for alternate keywords, and also by adding in the phrases and words that people are typing into search engines.

The subscriber service basically helps you identify the best niche keywords and phrases for your e-business, which can be difficult to do after you run out of the first few obvious choices. You can also see how many people are using major search engines to look for those specific those keywords. Additionally, you can find related keywords that you might not have otherwise considered, and also see how much competition there is in search engines for those keywords you choose. You can also use WordTracker to help you climb higher in search engine rankings or to build successful AdSense or affiliate-based marketing programs for your Web site.

Dashboard Options
One thing I noticed right away is that while WordTracker offers several separate tools, these tools are combined where needed to enable you to dig down deeper to find the best keywords and phrases for your Web site SEO. In testing WordTracker, I opted to use the service to help find the right keywords for a small shop that offered custom-designed gold jewelry. After you log into WordTracker as a member you will first access the user dashboard which is laid out into the following sections.

Keyword Universe
Keyword Universe lets you find niche phrases and related keywords that you may not have even considered. To use this tool you simply enter in two or three words that best describes your business or products. Here I entered "handcrafted gold jewelry" and in seconds had a list of 300 related keywords and phrases. Each result is actually a hyperlink that shows how popular the keyword is when you click on it.

Keyword Universe by WordTracker helps you discover new search terms. (Click for larger image.)

In the results, the Count shows how many times a particular word has appeared in the WordTracker database over the last 100 days. The Predict result indicates the maximum total predicted traffic for major search engines (pay per bids and directories). The Dig option lets you dig down to the next level of keywords to let you find the more specific ones. After choosing your keywords, you can export or e-mail the keywords and, finally, you can also perform a competition search to see which of the keywords from your chosen list have fewer competing Web pages in the major search engines. The competition results are probably one of the best that you will find in any keyword program.

WordTracker offers you the option to see the Keyword Effectiveness Index (KEI). This feature compares the count result with the number of competing Web pages to pinpoint exactly which keywords are going to be the most effective for your campaign.

Keyword Effectiveness Index. (Click for larger image.)

Here you will want to examine the popular keywords with a higher KEI as these are the keywords that will have less competition. The less competition you have in the search engines the higher ranking you will have on those searches.

Full Search
To use the Full Search feature, you first provide one generic term that describes your business or service. For instance, if you sell apparel, you would simply enter "clothes," or "golf" if you sell golfing equipment. Here I used "ring" to see a full list of related words. From the results list, you then choose all the similar terms that are applicable to your site. The next step will provide you with details on how popular the keyword is, and you can then complete a competition search to find your own little niche in the search engines.

Keyword Researcher
Keyword Researcher lets you customize your own search rules by a simple search, precise search, compressed search, comprehensive search, or misspelling search. You simply type in your seed keywords, in this case I chose engagement as the keyword, and the option of seeing results for a misspelling. You can choose to see results from U.S. or UK. Engagement on the misspelling search returned "engagement" with 14 searches and a Predict of 22 compared to "engagement" with 139 searches and a Predict of 220. Remember, the predict result indicates the maximum total predicted traffic for all of the major search engines.

Check out the keyword competition with WordTracker. (Click for larger image.)

On the comprehensive search, "engagement rings" (lower case) was the highest, followed by "Engagement Rings" (with capitals), "Vintage Engagement Rings," "Design My Own Engagement Ring" and "Cheap Engagement Rings." The top 100 comprehensive search results are provided in a list. You can then go through the process of checking which results you want to use to evaluate against your competition, export the data or save the keywords list and KEI report as a project to look at later.

In addition to these three keyword features, the WordTracker dashboard also offers a Keyword Projects section where you go to oversee all your keyword projects. There's also as a Reports section for viewing the most frequently searched words. You can also view all your WordTracker results in one place and access WordTracker Support from the main dashboard.

Using Your WordTracker Results
Once you have used WordTracker to help you select optimal keywords, you can then use these keywords and phrases to optimize your site for the search engines. The keywords should be used on your site in important areas, including within the Title and Description areas, and in your site's content as well. You can also optimize different pages on your site for different keywords. Links that point to the keyword optimized pages on your site, both your own internal page links and links from other Web sites, should include these keyword phrases. These keywords can also be bid on in any of the pay-per-click programs you use. (For more help on SEO, check out our 10 Steps for Improving Search Rankings.)

WordTracker Pricing and Trial Versions
Pricing for WordTracker, which has a daily limit of 1,500 keyword searches, 350 lateral searches and 250 competition searches is $50 per month for a single user account. You can also purchase a yearly subscription for $329, a much better value if you have an ongoing need for keyword analysis.

WordTracker currently offers a free, fully-functional seven-day trial that also gives you access to a "Profit from Keywords" video and a "Keywords Basics" guide. The free trial must be activated with a credit card, however you can go into your account settings any time before the seven-day period is up to cancel your subscription. When you cancel within seven days, your credit card will not be charged. Free trial accounts are limited to one per year.

Vangie Beal is a seasoned eBay seller, frequent contributor to ECommerce-Guide.com and managing editor of Webopedia.com.

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