Using WordTracker for Target Market Research
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This tutorial will show the basic steps for conducting target market research at WordTracker, using the free trial available. The paid version of the service includes additional features and is well worth it for your ongoing online marketing campaigns.
NEW VIDEO TUTORIAL! This tutorial now available on video. Click the video image below to start watching or simply continue to scroll down the page for the written tutorial.
Prefer to Read? The Written Tutorial is Below:
1. Start by going to the WordTracker Website and clicking "Take the Free Trial" as shown below:
2. Next enter your name and email address. Then click "Start the free trial". You will need to confirm your trial subscription, so use an email address you can access and click a link to confirm.
3. You will then receive an email to confirm your subscription. You'll see something like the message below. Click the link to active your trial. We have edited out some of the link for privacy reasons.
They are also offering you a 5-part keywords basics course with your trial. If you want to claim that, you will receive another email that allows you to confirm that you want to receive it.
4. Now you can begin your trial. Start by entering a phrase that describes the topic / market you are thinking about. WordTracker recommends using a 2 or 3 word phrase, so that you can get very targeted results. The more specific you are, the more specific results you'll get.
In this example, we've entered "dogs", but do keep in mind, the more specific you are, the more specific your results.
Enter your phrase and then click proceed, as shown below:
5. Next, WordTracker will show you related keyword results. In the trial version, you see 15 phrases. In the paid version, there can be hundreds or more. We're going to choose one to click and WordTracker will show us more targeted results.
6. After you click a keyword in step 5, the results will show on the right side of your screen like this.
But first, let's explain the terminology:
Count: According to WordTracker, "This shows the number of times a particular keyword has appeared in our database. E.g. Our database currently holds 315,316,507 words. A count of 147 tells us that this particular word has appeared 147 times out of 315,316,507."
Predicted: According to WordTracker, "This is the maximum total predicted traffic for all of the major search engines/pay per bids and directories. It is based on the current 24 hour period."
Dig: This allows you to dig deeper and find more phrases related to the phrases shown.
7. What You're Looking For: WordTracker shows you what phrases people are actively looking for in a search engine. Before you start a website, you likely want to see that there is a good number of different phrases that people are searching for related to your proposed website topic. If you find there are few searches for the keyword phrases AND there aren't that many keyword phrases to choose from, it might be a tough market to get traffic.
Word of Warning: Keyword searches are not the only way people search and find what they need on the Internet. Users take recommendations from friends, follow links from other websites, etc. Therefore, keyword research shouldn't be your only tool in determining the viability of a market. It is simply one tool.
Tip: In addition to looking for a market that is actively looking for information related to your website's topic, you want to ensure you look for buying-related keyword phrases. For example "buy pet supplies" or "price comparison dog collars". Information phrases are important in terms of getting traffic, but if the searchers aren't buying products, it's going to be tough to make your website profitable.
