If you have been on the internet for any length of time you have probably discovered 'keywords', certain words that can, when properly used, help to generate traffic to your website. This term actually has two meanings on the Internet.

Meta Tags

The first kind of keyword is a "Meta tag" - non displaying text within your source code that search engines use when crawling your website to determine its content.

There was a time when these tags could be manipulated in such a way as to give an edge in the ranking of a website/webpage. But, these days "Meta Tags" are rarely considered in the organic search positioning of a webpage. Most search engines today value the content of a webpage more than they do "Meta Tags".

Keywords and Phrases in your Content

This second type of keyword/phrase represents the exact words that people are typing into search engines during a search on a specific topic. Using web optimized words and phrases in your content will enhance your chances of being found on the search engines. These keywords are the most important of the two keyword types.

First you must research and decide on the keywords that best reflect the theme of your website. Secondly, these keywords and phrases must be worked into your content in a logical manner.

Researching Keywords

As webmaster you should have a clear picture in your mind of the theme of your website. You should also know something about the type of visitor you wish to attract and the words and phrases they might use in their internet searches. Finding this out will require some serious keyword research.

First, create a list of keywords that you think visitors could use to find your website. Brainstorm your keywords and phrases until you have an adequate compilation that satisfies you.

Second, using keyword analysis tools like those below, refine your keyword list using only the ones that rank the highest in search engine queries.

Third, use the resulting keywords and phrases in your website content.

Tools for Keyword Research

Topword Tool - Topword Tool is a free online tool that analyzes a complete web page and counts keyword occurrences, as well as keyword phrases (number in brackets), equal to or above that set in the Minimum Occurrences setting. It supplies a list of keywords and keyword phrases which are most likely to achieve the highest rankings on a major search engine. The tool will also analyze your meta description/keyword and title tags and then, through color coding, inform you of words/phrases which should be included. The main use for this tool is checking your optimization and tweaking existing web sites to rank well.
http://www.abakus-internet-marketing.de/tools/topword.html

Google Suggestion - The Google Suggestion is a new online tool for webmasters. As you type into the search box, Google Suggest guesses what you're typing and offers suggestions in real time. This is similar to Google's "Did you mean?" feature that offers alternative spellings for your query after you search, except that it works in real time. For example, if you type "bass", Google Suggest might offer a list of refinements that include "bass fishing" or "bass guitar". Similarly, if you type in only part of a word, like "progr," Google Suggest might offer you refinements like "programming", "programming languages", "progesterone", or "progressive". You can choose one by scrolling up or down the list with the arrow keys or mouse. The tool provides a number that indicates the number of searches a specific word or phrase has had.
http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en

WordTracker - Wordtracker helps you choose the right internet marketing keywords that will help your search engine placement and ranking. Use Wordtracker for keyword research. Web marketing is all about search engine ranking, and that starts with the proper internet marketing keywords. Get a free keyword report and web site promotion information!
http://www.wordtracker.com