A Word to Allied Health Professionals
In the realm of allied health, where real people face real challenges and seek genuine solutions, the significance of keywords takes on a deeply empathetic tone. As professionals dedicated to improving lives, your goal isn’t just to capture attention through cleverly chosen keywords; it’s to extend a helping hand to those in need. The challenge lies in maintaining the delicate balance between the technical aspects of SEO and the human aspect of your practice. You want to ensure that your content reaches those who are searching out your expertise while respecting the gravity of the issues they’re dealing with. By embracing the power of keywords with sensitivity and authenticity, you’re not only enhancing your online presence but also offering a lifeline to those navigating the complexities of their health journey.
The Role of Keywords
Keywords are the terms you use to search online. For professionals in allied health, they are significant as they help search engines understand and rank your content. They are the building blocks that connect your expertise with people seeking relevant information. Understanding what keywords are is the easy part. The hard part is choosing the right ones. It requires thoughtful planning, so be patient with yourself as you brainstorm. Check out our blog post for help choosing the best keywords.
Types of Keywords
As you begin brainstorming and coming up with your keywords, it might be helpful to know that they are different types of keywords with different roles in your website.
Primary Keyword: This is the main theme of your content. It reflects the core topic. For instance, if you specialize in occupational therapy, your primary keyword might be “occupational therapy techniques.” (Yoast, a WordPress plugin, has a free version that is super easy to use.)
Secondary Keywords: These support the primary keyword by providing additional context. They can be variations or related terms. Continuing with the occupational therapy example, secondary keywords could be “occupational therapy for children.” You will choose anywhere from 1-3 of these.
Additional Keywords: These are specific phrases that offer more detail. They can cater to niche interests or answer specific queries. If you’re a speech therapist discussing communication strategies, additional keywords might include “articulation exercises” or “speech therapy tools.” You will need 1-4 of these.
Keyword Density
Keyword density is the frequency of keywords in your content relative to its length. Although there’s no fixed rule, a common recommendation is to include primary and other relevant keywords every 150-200 words. This ensures a natural integration of keywords into your content. The overall number of keywords depends on your content length. As a general guideline, if your content surpasses 1000 words, incorporating about 8 keywords is appropriate. For shorter content, around 3 keywords are effective.
Assessing Keyword Difficulty
Keyword difficulty gauges the competition for specific keywords. High search volume and low competition are ideal. These keywords attract a significant audience with fewer competitors. To find such keywords, research and analysis are crucial. Semrush has some free tools and some paid ones as well that will help you know where your keywords stand.
Conclusion
In the world of SEO, keywords play a significant role, but they’re just one aspect. Keep in mind that various factors influence search rankings. Ultimately, your goal should be to provide valuable content that resonates with your target audience. For allied health professionals, keywords are a means to connect your knowledge with those seeking it. Properly chosen keywords enhance your online presence. Remember, it’s about integrating keywords thoughtfully, not saturating your content with them. So, approach keywords strategically, select them wisely, and let your expertise shine. Use all the tools at your disposal and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
