Targeting multiple keywords with index page

[SixTwoInteractive]

Quick keyword question....

I just started working with a client that is ranking fairly well for a number of keywords with his index page. Right now he has a bunch of duplicate titles, descriptions, etc across the entire site. There are 5 different keywords in the title of the index page alone.

I am wondering if it OK to target 3 different keywords with the index page? Or, if I should cut it down to 1. Think blue widget, red widget, and widget making machines.  I want each of the individual keywords to improve but don't want to lose what I have either.

Any ideas?

THANKS!!!!

[SixTwoInteractive]

Yeah those are some good points. 3 of the keywords are in the top 20, the other 2 in the top 50. I was thinking about clipping the lower performing keywords to focus more on the other 3.

The 3 that are in the top 20 have around 25k exact searches per month but are a little broad. I think I am going to leave it for now but keep an eye on it.... I will watch it over the next few weeks as I get started working on the site. Hopefully as I become more familiar with the site/niche the answer will be more clear.

Thanks for the valuable information!

[RobertFisher]

EGOL,

This is a great add. Jason, please read what EGOL has here as it elucidates what I should have spelled out along with talking with the client. My point in talking with them was to discover how these keywords convert for them and the impact that has on their business.

Egol, thanks again.

[EGOL]

There are 5 different keywords in the title of the index page alone.  I am wondering if it OK to target 3 different keywords with the index page? Or, if I should cut it down to 1.

Wait!

Five, Three or One?

Before you change anything you have to look at current performance.

There are a few sites that have the ability to support five keywords in the title tag.... many more that can support three.... and one could very well be a wholesale retreat.

So, before you retreat from five to three be sure that you are not going to be damaging current traffic.

Remember that you said....

I just started working with a client that is ranking fairly well for a number of keywords with his index page.

It sounds like this site is doing fantastic.  Don't retreat from what is working - unless you are moving to more profitable ground.

How are these converting?

SEO does not have hard and fast rules about the number of keywords that a page can attack.  You attack as many as your power and your smarts and your competitive situation allow....

.... and keep in mind that some keywords are a lot more valuable than others.

[SixTwoInteractive]

The main page is currently an aged PR 3 domain. I think I will talk it over with the client to see what he wants to do. I may just leave the 3 in the main page for now.  Thanks for the input!

[SixTwoInteractive]

Thanks for the response! I really appreciate it. I think I will have a talk with the client to see what he wants to do.

[Gyorgy]

In case of new or relatively "weaker" websites, Google often shows the homepage on the SERP only, instead of the product pages, because the homepage has the highest Page Authority. When the product pages are becoming "stronger", Google will trust those as well and show them in the SERP.

If you're worried about losing the current homepage performance, then keep the 3 keywords in the homepage title if those products are very important for the client, and create three individual pages for each product. After 6-8-10 month when the product pages' authority is high enough, then Google will probably show the product pages instead of the homepage, because those have more relevant content and more relevant links.

[RobertFisher]

Jason,

Client is the key word here. First, you have to talk with them and make them aware of the plusses and minuses of the change. Let them decide is my advice. As to if it were mine, I would not change the index page at first and would construct what pages I am going to have for given terms. So, if on index page the most crucial keyword is red widget, it stays and I start looking at how to set up other pages and maximize red widget where it is.

Obviously, over time the chances of maintaining or growing a ranking is higher with a specific page (assuming the same effort, etc.). If you do link buildiing and set it to only go to index page, that will be more of an issue. So, your linking should be specific to what you wish to rank.

Remember, as you start to make changes, chances are you will drop before you begin to climb. If the client is aware of that going in, you have an ally. No, there is no hard rule on when the increase will happen.

I hope this helps you clarify,

Robert