March 2007 Newsletter
What Do Users Search For?
To effectively market your products using the Internet you need to research and think about the words and phrases used to find your site.
January's newsletter looked at what a search engine records when it visits your website. February's newsletter asked you to think about your key words. This is part of getting all the visitors you can, for free. I receive a great newsletter on search engine optimization.
Some marketing people are obsessed with keywords that are never actually used. While the "long tail" of searches (see Wikipedia for more information) can generate significant referrals to your site, the actual frequency of most specific words and phrases is fairly low. To use an analogy - Blockbuster rents movies in the high-frequency area with limited titles and Netflix and Amazon prosper in the lower-frequency area with 100 times the titles.
I see four steps to improving key word results:
1. List all the key words you think people will use to find your website and products
2. Review the search words and phrases actually used to find to your site - these come from your statistical reports from your website. Compare these to your expected terms. This brings us back to you understanding your website statistics again.
3. Look for the differences in the two lists and for problems. Some words and phrases are just not searched for frequently. Use a resource like WordTracker to estimate the frequency of the searches. This link is to a free checker to check up to 100 words. This is a related article from WordTracker on selecting key words.
4. Change your website to better improve the search terms.
I recently talked with one company concerned about competitors being found under bulletproof, when the term bullet resistant is preferred. I suggested that a short paragraph be added to their site explaining the difference. The search engines will add the term bulletproof to their search terms. I also suggested that they use bullet proof, bullet-proof and bulletproof to catch the spelling variations.
To better understand what I see on 4specs, here are the words and phrases most searched for on 4specs. This first information comes from Google Sitemaps - a program we discussed in a newsletter least year about Google Sitemaps.
The table below shows the Google results for 4specs. The left two columns are the average listings position on pages where 4specs is listed and the right 2 columns show the position of the phrase that was actually clicked.
| Pages with top search queries |
|
Average top position |
| 1. reliabilt doors |
|
9 |
| 2. glass countertops |
|
8 |
| 3. residential railings |
|
1 |
| 4. amarr garage doors |
|
10 |
| 5. accordian doors |
|
10 |
| 6. privacy glass |
|
7 |
| 7. 4specs |
|
1 |
| 8. concrete masonry unit |
|
8 |
| 9. corner guards |
|
9 |
| 10. wall finishes |
|
6 |
| 11. century shower door |
|
9 |
| 12. stainless steel railings |
|
4 |
| 13. redland roof tiles |
|
9 |
| 14. concrete finishes |
|
10 |
| 15. staircase railings |
|
8 |
| 16. metal stairs |
|
8 |
| 17. cable railing |
|
4 |
| 18. mineral wool insulation |
|
5 |
| 19. concrete masonry units |
|
4 |
| 20. amarr garage door |
|
6 |
|
|
| Top search query clicks to 4specs |
|
Average top position |
| 1. 4specs |
|
1 |
| 2. residential railings |
|
1 |
| 3. glass countertops |
|
8 |
| 4. concrete masonry units |
|
4 |
| 5. stone panels |
|
4 |
| 6. concrete masonry unit |
|
8 |
| 7. vinyl wall covering |
|
2 |
| 8. exterior trim |
|
9 |
| 9. metal fences |
|
3 |
| 10. metal railings |
|
3 |
| 11. stainless steel railings |
|
4 |
| 12. wood fired boilers |
|
4 |
| 13. roof pavers |
|
2 |
| 14. mineral wool insulation |
|
5 |
| 15. foundation vents |
|
11 |
| 16. metal framing |
|
31 |
| 17. vista wall aluminum |
|
7 |
| 18. wood fired boiler |
|
7 |
| 19. precast concrete steps |
|
9 |
| 20. concrete reinforcement |
|
11 |
|
These are the searches for November that came into 4specs from the search engines and the internal searches using our internal search program. There were 35,646 incoming searches to 4specs and 16,844 internal searches. The top 200 searches for each type are in the table below.
Top Internal Search Terms on 4specs - 6 or more in November
| Keywords
Searched For |
Number
of Searches |
| door hardware |
42 |
| carpet |
37 |
| toilet partitions |
33 |
| expansion joints |
25 |
| stairs |
25 |
| louvers |
23 |
| lockers |
22 |
| glass |
21 |
| kawneer |
21 |
| elevator |
20 |
| signage |
20 |
| stucco |
20 |
| eifs |
19 |
| tile |
19 |
| armstrong |
18 |
| doors |
18 |
| bobrick |
17 |
| cabinets |
17 |
| expansion joint |
17 |
| hardware |
17 |
| lighting |
17 |
| paint |
17 |
| windows |
17 |
| alucobond |
16 |
| awnings |
15 |
| centria |
15 |
| fireplace |
15 |
| louver |
15 |
| granite |
14 |
| masonry reinforcement |
14 |
| corian |
13 |
| curtain wall |
13 |
| elevators |
13 |
| roofing |
13 |
| snow guards |
13 |
| fireplaces |
12 |
| flooring |
12 |
| roof hatch |
12 |
| siding |
12 |
| zurn |
12 |
| cabinet hardware |
11 |
| canopy |
11 |
| cornell |
11 |
| door |
11 |
| frp |
11 |
| fry reglet |
11 |
| furniture |
11 |
| garage doors |
11 |
| gas fireplace |
11 |
| mailboxes |
11 |
| overhead doors |
11 |
| rubber flooring |
11 |
| shaw |
11 |
| threshold |
11 |
| 467 |
10 |
| aluminum storefront |
10 |
| ardex |
10 |
| bradley |
10 |
| cookson |
10 |
| drapery |
10 |
| glass block |
10 |
| kalwall |
10 |
| refrigerator |
10 |
| tnemec |
10 |
| asi |
9 |
| ceiling |
9 |
| concrete |
9 |
| exterior lighting |
9 |
| fabric |
9 |
| fence |
9 |
| fire extinguisher cabinet |
9 |
| hollow metal doors |
9 |
| mapei |
9 |
| metal roof |
9 |
| mirrors |
9 |
| projection screen |
9 |
| skylights |
9 |
| stair nosing |
9 |
| stanley |
9 |
| toilet accessories |
9 |
| vinyl windows |
9 |
| window washing |
9 |
| woodford |
9 |
| 9460 |
8 |
| awning |
8 |
| boiler |
8 |
| bollards |
8 |
| column covers |
8 |
| cultured stone |
8 |
| dryvit |
8 |
| fire door |
8 |
| grace |
8 |
| grout |
8 |
| gypcrete |
8 |
| handrail |
8 |
| handrails |
8 |
| hill-rom |
8 |
| kemlite |
8 |
| kitchen cabinets |
8 |
| kohler |
8 |
| metal panels |
8 |
| ppg |
8 |
| roof |
8 |
| roof drain |
8 |
| sloan |
8 |
| sun shades |
8 |
| television bracket |
8 |
| terrazzo |
8 |
| thresholds |
8 |
| toilets |
8 |
| upholstery |
8 |
| usg |
8 |
| vinyl siding |
8 |
| window |
8 |
| wood |
8 |
| 3form |
7 |
| acrovyn |
7 |
| appliances |
7 |
| bamboo |
7 |
| benches |
7 |
| blum |
7 |
| broan |
7 |
| cast stone |
7 |
| ceiling fan |
7 |
| cement board |
7 |
| ceramic tile |
7 |
| concrete flooring |
7 |
| crane |
7 |
| degussa |
7 |
| exit signs |
7 |
| georgia pacific |
7 |
| glass floors |
7 |
| gutters |
7 |
| jr smith |
7 |
| ladder |
7 |
| lavatory |
7 |
| lift |
7 |
| mailbox |
7 |
| masonite |
7 |
| mechoshade |
7 |
| metal |
7 |
| metal doors |
7 |
| metal flooring |
7 |
| metal panel |
7 |
| metal roofing |
7 |
| nanawall |
7 |
| nibco |
7 |
| pemko |
7 |
| plastic laminate |
7 |
| pool |
7 |
| resilient flooring |
7 |
| rigid insulation |
7 |
| rittling |
7 |
| security |
7 |
| shower doors |
7 |
| shutters |
7 |
| skylight |
7 |
| sliding door |
7 |
| soap dispenser |
7 |
| standing seam metal roof |
7 |
| stone |
7 |
| storefront |
7 |
| teknoflor |
7 |
| trench drain |
7 |
| unistrut |
7 |
| vct |
7 |
| viracon |
7 |
| waterstop |
7 |
| wheat board |
7 |
| wood doors |
7 |
| wood flooring |
7 |
| wood siding |
7 |
| access flooring |
6 |
| access panels |
6 |
| acoustical panels |
6 |
| ada shower |
6 |
| arcadia |
6 |
| armortex |
6 |
| azrock |
6 |
| b-line |
6 |
| balco |
6 |
| bench |
6 |
| bilco |
6 |
| bleachers |
6 |
| cabinet |
6 |
| chain link fence |
6 |
| cladding |
6 |
| corner guards |
6 |
| dal-tile |
6 |
| elkay |
6 |
| fasteners |
6 |
| fire shutter |
6 |
| grab bars |
6 |
| hinges |
6 |
| hvac |
6 |
| intumescent paint |
6 |
| johnsonite |
6 |
| keystone |
6 |
| knox box |
6 |
| ladders |
6 |
| leather |
6 |
| lees |
6 |
| lumicor |
6 |
| mcnichols |
6 |
| metal ceiling |
6 |
| metal coping |
6 |
| mini blinds |
6 |
| nystrom |
6 |
| pilkington |
6 |
| plywood |
6 |
| precast concrete |
6 |
| privacy glass |
6 |
| prosoco |
6 |
| railing |
6 |
| railings |
6 |
| raised floor |
6 |
| rebar |
6 |
| sauna |
6 |
| shower stalls |
6 |
| simpson |
6 |
| sink |
6 |
| sunshades |
6 |
| symmons |
6 |
| toilet |
6 |
| trespa |
6 |
| truss |
6 |
| vapor barrier |
6 |
| vistawall |
6 |
| vp buildings |
6 |
| walk off mat |
6 |
| walk off mats |
6 |
| wenger |
6 |
|
Top Incoming Searches from Google, Yahoo and MSN - 15 or more in November.
| 463 |
residential railings |
| 386 |
4specs |
| 200 |
glass countertops |
| 169 |
4specs.com |
| 168 |
metal railings |
| 157 |
stair nosing |
| 152 |
metal railing |
| 149 |
concrete masonry units |
| 131 |
4 specs |
| 131 |
glass flooring |
| 124 |
cable railing |
| 119 |
metal gates |
| 108 |
foundation vents |
| 102 |
metal fences |
| 84 |
steel trusses |
| 84 |
vinyl wall covering |
| 83 |
metal wall panels |
| 82 |
closet doors |
| 81 |
metal decking |
| 81 |
4spec |
| 80 |
flex conduit |
| 76 |
wood railings |
| 76 |
plastic windows |
| 75 |
www.4specs.com |
| 73 |
concrete finishes |
| 72 |
chain link gates |
| 71 |
commercial kitchen hoods |
| 71 |
attic stairs |
| 68 |
cable railings |
| 68 |
extruded polystyrene |
| 67 |
structural glass |
| 65 |
stone panels |
| 65 |
glass curtain wall |
| 64 |
wall finishes |
| 64 |
corner guards |
| 63 |
hospitality furniture |
| 60 |
wood countertops |
| 59 |
glass curtain walls |
| 59 |
wood fired boilers |
| 59 |
retractable stairs |
| 58 |
aluminum doors |
| 57 |
spray on fireproofing |
| 57 |
roof pavers |
| 57 |
wood stair railings |
| 56 |
metal stairs |
| 55 |
concrete masonry unit |
| 55 |
privacy glass |
| 55 |
metal screen doors |
| 53 |
glass blocks |
| 51 |
aluminum windows |
| 50 |
staircase railings |
| 50 |
wood stairs |
| 48 |
bamboo wood |
| 47 |
sheet piling |
| 47 |
montego fireplaces |
| 46 |
sheet metal roofing |
| 45 |
stair nosings |
| 44 |
metal flashing |
| 43 |
construction products |
| 43 |
modular bathrooms |
| 43 |
institutional furniture |
| 43 |
commercial exterior lighting |
| 42 |
glass door hardware |
| 41 |
cultured marble |
| 40 |
vinyl wall coverings |
| 40 |
mineral wool insulation |
| 39 |
sliding wood doors |
| 38 |
curtain wall systems |
| 37 |
septic tank systems |
| 37 |
exercise room flooring |
| 36 |
metal deck |
| 36 |
window walls |
| 36 |
spray fireproofing |
| 36 |
field stone |
| 36 |
smoke vents |
| 36 |
aluminum gates |
| 35 |
switchable privacy glass |
| 35 |
wall guards |
| 35 |
metal rails |
| 35 |
glass fiber reinforced concrete |
| 35 |
bentonite waterproofing |
| 34 |
steel truss |
| 34 |
pass through windows |
| 33 |
reliabilt doors |
| 33 |
commercial fabrics |
| 33 |
metal office furniture |
| 33 |
concrete bonding agents |
| 33 |
healthcare furniture |
| 33 |
stainless steel railings |
| 32 |
roof drains |
| 32 |
stairway railings |
| 32 |
metal hand rails |
| 31 |
column covers |
| 31 |
luminaires |
| 31 |
beneke toilet seats |
| 31 |
access doors |
| 30 |
commercial chandeliers |
| 29 |
shower bases |
| 29 |
slate 2.0 |
| 29 |
intumescent fireproofing |
| 28 |
cast in place concrete |
| 28 |
concrete additives |
| 28 |
architectural railings |
| 28 |
gypsum board |
| 27 |
interior storm windows |
| 27 |
metal panels |
| 27 |
fire rated glass |
| 27 |
cement plaster |
| 26 |
stainless steel doors |
| 26 |
roof expansion joints |
| 26 |
steel roof trusses |
| 26 |
glass countertop |
| 26 |
concrete fences |
| 26 |
decorative metal fencing |
| 26 |
contemporary stairs |
| 26 |
glass films |
| 25 |
prefabricated bathrooms |
| 25 |
montego fireplace |
| 25 |
nurse call system |
| 25 |
cold formed metal framing |
| 25 |
folding partition |
| 24 |
jakob cable |
| 24 |
trench drains |
| 24 |
stair railings |
| 24 |
stainless steel cable railing |
| 24 |
pass through window |
| 24 |
wood fired boiler |
| 24 |
all glass doors |
| 24 |
plastic doors |
| 23 |
shooting range equipment |
| 23 |
street light poles |
| 23 |
hvac ductwork |
| 23 |
4spec.com |
| 23 |
4 spec |
| 23 |
retractable attic stairs |
| 23 |
chain link fence gate |
| 23 |
plastic fences |
| 23 |
bullet resistant glass |
| 22 |
texas limestone |
| 22 |
architectural precast concrete |
| 22 |
plastic roof |
| 22 |
verco metal deck |
| 22 |
steel windows |
| 22 |
architectural stairs |
| 22 |
roof underlayment |
| 22 |
metal wall panel |
| 22 |
helicopter pads |
| 21 |
telescoping attic ladder |
| 21 |
laminate doors |
| 21 |
commercial elevators |
| 21 |
roof hatches |
| 21 |
telescoping attic stairs |
| 21 |
commercial ceiling fans |
| 21 |
wire railing |
| 21 |
cofferdams |
| 21 |
steel door frames |
| 21 |
skateboard deterrents |
| 21 |
eifs systems |
| 21 |
plastic insulation |
| 21 |
concrete refinishing |
| 21 |
root barriers |
| 21 |
industrial railings |
| 20 |
rainscreens |
| 20 |
door louvers |
| 20 |
thin brick |
| 20 |
storefront glass |
| 20 |
cable railing system |
| 20 |
fence gate hardware |
| 20 |
wood curtain wall |
| 20 |
fire escapes |
| 19 |
bituminous roofing |
| 19 |
curtain wall system |
| 19 |
library equipment |
| 19 |
plastic gates |
| 19 |
elevator cabs |
| 19 |
metal framing |
| 19 |
decorative gates |
| 19 |
drive through windows |
| 19 |
vapor barrier |
| 19 |
amarr garage door |
| 19 |
contemporary railings |
| 19 |
vapor retarder |
| 19 |
exterior shutters |
| 19 |
exterior clocks |
| 19 |
industrial railing |
| 18 |
michigan hangers |
| 18 |
wall fabrics |
| 18 |
closet door switch |
| 18 |
storm drain grates |
| 18 |
atlas door corporation |
| 18 |
demountable partitions |
| 18 |
formliners |
| 18 |
precast concrete steps |
| 18 |
insulated pipe |
| 18 |
wire railings |
| 18 |
concrete accessories |
| 18 |
concrete bonding agent |
| 18 |
shower doors canada |
| 18 |
hollow core planks |
| 18 |
drive through window |
| 18 |
metal stair details |
| 18 |
precast planks |
| 17 |
commercial wood doors |
| 17 |
wood stair details |
| 17 |
commercial aluminum windows |
| 17 |
nurse call systems |
| 17 |
concrete reinforcement |
| 17 |
precast concrete planks |
| 17 |
pass thru window |
| 17 |
door security bar |
| 17 |
glass guardrail |
| 17 |
porch railings |
| 17 |
safety railings |
| 17 |
spray parks |
| 17 |
metal screen door |
| 17 |
stone shower base |
| 17 |
glass handrails |
| 17 |
cable rails |
| 17 |
custom shower bases |
| 17 |
elastomeric coating |
| 16 |
tactile warning |
| 16 |
commercial railings |
| 16 |
porous pavement |
| 16 |
snow guards |
| 16 |
cable grip |
| 16 |
bilco roof hatch |
| 16 |
precast retaining walls |
| 16 |
metal roof panels |
| 16 |
wall corner guards |
| 16 |
steel landscape edging |
| 16 |
bilco roof hatches |
| 15 |
terrazzo tile |
| 15 |
plastic laminate lockers |
| 15 |
photoluminescent exit signs |
| 15 |
sunroc drinking fountains |
| 15 |
athletic flooring |
| 15 |
engineered wood flooring |
| 15 |
trane air handling units |
| 15 |
stairs and railings |
| 15 |
stainless steel windows |
| 15 |
wooden stairways |
| 15 |
roof hatch |
| 15 |
expansion joint covers |
| 15 |
metal security screen doors |
| 15 |
detention furniture |
| 15 |
flexible flashing |
| 15 |
joint sealants |
| 15 |
recessed walk off mat |
Here is an even larger number of searches for November 2006. |
Colin Gilboy
Publisher, 4specs.com
435.654.5775 - Utah
800.369.8008