When it comes to website SEO, keyword research plays an important role in determining the success or failure of the SEO efforts. Are you confused about which keywords to use? While it is important to do your research and homework to determine which keywords will work the best for your business, you should also be aware of the difference short tail keywords and long tail keywords can make.
What is a Short Tail Keyword?
A short tail keyword often contains 3 words or less. Example of short tail keyword includes – “engagement ring”, “web development company”, “athletic apparel” and more. These keywords are also known as “head terms” and are the first thing you will think of when deciding what to do, what services you need, where to go, or where to worship?
What is a Long Tail Keyword?
Long tail keywords are more specific and targeted than short tail keywords. They contain phrases with more than 3 words. While you may not bring in much search traffic when using long tail keywords, you will bring in a more targeted audience that can easily convert into paying customers.
Examples include “white diamond engagement ring”, “winter men’s athletic apparel”, and others. These keywords are more specific than their counterparts and can work in your favor.
However, both types of keywords come with their pros and cons.
What Type of Keyword You Should Use?
The type of keywords you want to use for your marketing efforts will depend on the type of traffic you aim to drive to your website.
Short Tail Keywords
There are several things that can work in favor of short tail keywords or against them. If you are trying to drive a lot of traffic toward your website, you should use short tail keywords. They will be helpful if you have just begun with your search efforts or if your site is new.
High Search Volume
Short tail keywords have a higher search volume. So if you could rank your website for a short tail keyword, you will get plenty of organic traffic.
High Competition
As short tail keywords have high search volume, everyone tries to rank for short tail keywords. This, in turn, leads to high competition.
Low Focus
As the searches with short tail keywords are not specific, the focus is low. People searching for DVD may be looking for a player to buy or for rent or a list of DVD rentals, and the like.
High Cost
Google AdWords often charge you a large amount of money to get into the short tail keyword business for your search terms. As so many other people out there are going to buy them, you need to pay a premium to make your presence felt.
Low Conversion Rate
Short tail keywords often have low conversion rate because it is not targeting a specific audience. For instance, even if you are able to drive a lot of traffic to your website, the conversion rate may be extremely low because people may be searching for something else than what you offer.
Long tail Keywords
While long tail keywords can lie dormant for a while but when they are used they can help you focus on your targeted audience with ease. Moreover, there isn’t too much competition with these keywords.
Low Search Volume
When it comes to long tail keywords, the volume of traffic is going to be far less than the volume of traffic you receive with short tail keywords. However, as you are trying to cater to your specific customers, you are more likely to get a higher conversion rate.
Low Competition
The competition among long tail keywords is also lower as you are trying to target a specific kind of audience instead of targeting everybody. The search will be geared toward whatever you are selling and thus, the competition will be low.
High Focus
As long tail keywords have low competition and target a specific set of customers, you will have people who are actually looking for your services and products. This mean, you will end up getting customers who will convert in to paying clients readily.
Low Cost
Another great benefit of long tail keywords is that you are going to pay a lot less than their counterparts. Google AdWords has a reduced price for searches that contain more terms and are specific.
High Conversion Rate
One of the biggest advantages of using long terms keywords is the increased conversion rates. It is easier to convert customers who are actually interested in the services you offer. While the conversion rate will vary depending on what your services are and the area you serve, it is one of the most important points in favor of using long tail keywords.
So, Are Long Tail Keywords Better?
The simplest answer to this question is YES.
Long tail keywords are a better choice than short tail keywords because, at the end of the day, you need to focus on what’s best for your business. You will want to have a large web presence as you can, without spending a lot of money, right?
Moreover, the point of having a web presence is not to get as many people to click as possible but to catch the attention of the potential audience.
If you are looking forward to making a sale and increasing your conversion rate, you should direct the traffic to your specific services. Also, in today’s highly competitive market, it is impossible to break into rankings with short tail keywords.
While short tail keywords may still work for you if you have a huge body of content, a strong brand and domain authority, but if you are looking for higher conversion rate, low competition, and low volume, choose long tail keywords.
Are you ready to use long tail keywords for your business?
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Get in touch with our SEO experts and we will help you rank higher than your competitors.
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