Google Webmaster Tools: Keywords

[JosephHegyi]

Hi SEOmozzers!  I'm the Dr./owner/in-house SEO for my eye care practice.  The URL is www.ofallonfamilyeyecare.com.  Our practice is in O'Fallon, MO.  Since I'm an optometrist, my main keywords are "optometrist o'fallon" and "o'fallon optometrist".

As I get more familiarity with SEO, Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools, I've discovered the Keywords that Google feels best represent my website.  About a week ago I noted Google counted 21 instances of "optometrist" on the 28-30 pages of my website, which ranks as #32 in the most common keywords.  #1 is "eye" with 506 instances.

Even though 21 occurrences seemed low, I went though every page adding "optometrist" a couple times in the body where it would naturally be appropriate.  I also added it to the address shown on the footer of every page.  I changed the top navigation option of "meet Dr. Hegyi" to "our optometrist".

I must have added at least 4 occurrences to every page on my site, and submitted for a re-crawl.  I even tried to scale back the "eye" occurrences on a few pages.

Today I see that Google has re-crawled the site and the keywords have been updated.  "Optometrist has DROPPED from #32 to #33.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions why I'm not seeing increased occurrence in Googles eyes?

I realize this may not be a big factor in SERPs, but every bit of on-page optimization helps. Or is this too minor of an issue to sweat?

Thanks!

[SuperlativB]

Good resonse James. Social is a good indicator for Google and I would tink that this factor will have greater impact over the next years to come. Like, tweet and +1 is a must. Stumbleupon is pretty big in the states and follow aswell.

[anjonr]

If I were you I would contact local web masters that have resource sections ( think chamber of commerce) and see if you can't get some good anchor text links to your site.

I had a similar problem with a doctor I worked with but after I got a good blended link profile ( obviously weighted towards exact match) he started to crush his competition in the serps.

Best of luck hope this helps.

[Dekoda_Jones]

Hey Joe,

For a local business you may want to look at building a lot of localized search terms.  I am helping a buddy of min e out with his osteopathic clinic, we are targeting all the suburbs around south yarra and of course these terms are very low competition, so it is easy to rank on the first page very quickly.

As an example of what I am talking about, we have targeted terms like: osteopath st kilda, osteo prahran etc.

Whilst the search volume is low, the conversion rate from the handful of people that do click through is very high and he gets a handful of clients each month, all of which continue to use him over the long term.  It's a value based strategy, servicing local clients and ensuring they return visit.

[JamesNorquay]

No problem Joseph, a blog is a great way to add related content to your site and connect up with potential customers.

You can even run say a event in your local area, blog about it then link it up to your business.

but yeah really push the link building and adding quality content along with on site fixes.

further on site fixes are:

• H1 tag - contact us (Make a target term) * Main title tag - place keywords first brand term later in the title. example [Keyword - Brand term] * Internal meta descriptions text are the same.

• Social Media links and activity is limited, I would try to push some social links and activity.

Regards,

James.

[JosephHegyi]

Hi James,

Thanks so much for your quick and helpful response.  I'll work on the points you mentioned.  I already have the blog in place, though I need to continue adding good content.

Best,

Joe

[JamesNorquay]

Hi Mate,

To be honest you do not need to add your main keywords to every web page to see a benefit or increase in rank.

You need to be smart about how you optimize your website,

Some advice:

• Make a blog on the website, add relevant information about your local area talk about things you are doing to help the local community. You can mix it up with a few industry reports to gather high quality links.

• Work on off site link building, make sure you have all your suppliers linking to your focus on high quality links.

• Work on adding to the social benefit of your site, grow your social base.

I hope these three points help.

Kind Regards,

James.