When optimizing your website for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) purposes, it is imperative that you perform the proper keyword and key phrase research for your Las Vegas website in order to insure maximum and targeted organic search engine ranking and results.

Keyword research consists of running words and phrases that you feel someone would type into a google search in order to find a website like yours. For example, if you are a Las Vegas bankruptcy attorney, you might choose phrases such as “Las Vegas bankruptcy attorney” “Las Vegas bankruptcy law firm” “Las Vegas chapter 7″ “Las Vegas Chapter 11″ “Las Vegas Chapter 13″ or “Las Vegas debt relief” etc. By choosing an initial list of keywords and key phrases, you can use this list to research the ACTUAL words that search engine users are using to locate those appropriate services.

In order to perform the necessary keyword and key phrase research, consider using these free online keyword research tools:

• Free Keyword Suggestion Tool from Wordtracker
• Free Search Term Suggestion Tool by KeywordDiscovery.com
• Google AdWords: Keyword Tool
• Keyword Research and Tracking, Keyword Tool, Keyword Software

Simply put, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the method used to gain organic traffic to your company’s website. Organic traffic are the visitors you receive on your website that go to a search engine like google, type in a phrase, and your website appears in the organic listings.

Those words that people type into a search are called key words, for example “Las Vegas Financial Planner.” In order for a website to organically appear in a search engine result, it must be optimized with many key words and key phrases so that search engines can find your website.

This is really just the start of the search engine optimization process. In addition to performing strategic key word and key phrase research, a professional search engine optimization company should help you with:

• Determining what copy you should write for your home page and how much copy you should have on your website’s home page - I recommend at least 200 words on your home page.
• Optimize your META tags including key word, title and description tags - they should be rich in your strategically chosen and targeted key words and key phrases.
• Ensure there are links with relevant key words and key phrases linking to other pages within your website - more is more.
• Advise you on how many pages your website should contain - I recommend 8-10 pages for a basic small business website.
• Assist you in choosing a domain name or URL for your website that will assist in the optimization of your website
• Developing a sitemap for your website - again, should be rich in key words and key phrases
• Advise you on how many years you should purchase your domain name for - I suggest at least 10 years.
• Properly submit your website to major search engines and directories - both free and paid.
• Advise you on how to get “sticky” links to your site from other websites
• Keep your content updated frequently - at least monthly, search engines love freshly updated content on websites.
• Add your website’s listing on major map websites (i.e. maps.google.com) - map listings help your organic rankings as well.

There are literally dozens and dozens of more techniques that Search Engine Optimization Specialists like myself use to help client’s website gain visibility on search engines and in turn gain more traffic and new business.

If you are a local Las Vegas business, you may just have a great opportunity to stand out from your competition as there are still so many business websites that have had absolutely no search engine optimization performed on their website.  Take advantage and find a local search engine optimization company to help you gain more traffic and stand out from your competition.