It would be something enviable to be it: the site would be ranking well for all keywords targeted when you launch the initial search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Leads would be up, traffic is a blast and smiles abound. What is Keyword Expansion and Why Is it of Importance? The goal on keyword expansion would be to target new keyword opportunities through discovering potentially untapped search verticals that would be both relevant plus traffic/lead-driving. In a couple of instances, you would improve on the first keyword research through locating new modifiers or stems missed during the first time. In other instances, you would be unearthing more keyword ideas or concepts one could utilizes for the authoring of new landing pages, blog posts or assets that are linkable. In the best scenarios though, it would be a great mix of both. So where do you locate such keyword opportunities?

Tools and Methods for Expanding the Keyword List

1. Competitors sites may be a good source of inspiration as well as ideas for the discovery of keywords that would be very relevant to a site you would not already be targeting. There are a few ways one could harvest ideas through a competitor’s site:

1. Utilize KeyworSpy: A lot of SEOs would use KeywordSpy to acquire keyword suggestions for a site for the first keyword targeting list. However, what a lot of people do not know would be that you could add the domain of a competitor to the tool, and make a list of the recurring keywords extracted from the site of the competitor.

2. Explore the site of a competitor: You need to take 15 minutes plus click around a competitor site. You need to look close at pages where keyword opportunities may be found, including resource sections, solutions sections, glossary sections, HTML site maps, footer links with exact match anchors. Seeing title tags or products and services would also be very effective.

2. Google related searches would be another way to take out new keyword ideas plus modifiers that you are not targeting.

3. Synonym SERP prospecting making using of the tilde, the search operator for locating synonyms, would allow you to get the phrases and terms that would be similar to the seed keywords on the original list, which could be very helpful should you try to make yourself familiar with a new niche.

Peter Zmijewski is the founder and CEO at KeywordSpy. His expert knowledge on Internet Marketing practices and techniques has earned him the title “Internet Marketing Guru“ He is also an innovator, investor and entrepreneur widely recognized by the top players in the industry.