Analyzing the competition

[mustard76]

I am starting a new SEO project. After conducting thorough keyword research I have determined a set of keywords that I would like to target. Now I am working on a spreadsheet of the top organic search competitors for the keyword I think will be the most profitable for me.

I am researching my competitors to get an idea what it will take for me to break into the top 10 on the search results for my targeted keyword phrase.

For each competitor in my spreadsheet I have a column for:
- Google search result rank
- Page Rank
- # of Google links
- # of Yahoo! links
- Keyword Density

What other factors should I include in my competitors spreadsheet that will help my figure out how to outperform them in the rankings?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[pcun]

You should be looking not only at the link numbers but also:

• Anchor Text of Inbound Link
• Topical Relevance of Inbound Links to Site
• Rate of New Inbound Links to Site

These items have greater bearing than just the number of incoming links.

[cooluks]

You should put your keyword rankings for 3 SEs, link popularity.....

Proper use of anchor text of your targeted keywords...

[jhen]

Take a look and analyze the sites included in top 10 of SERPs. Check on their domain age, keywords used and how they have included them into the site, their links, etc.

[cryptblade]

Knowing what to analyze is the difference between professional SEOs and amateur SEOs.

Setting up a spreadsheet is a really good idea, though.

[purdue512]

Not sure if it was said already, but relevance is key on inbounds.

[briche]

neither i looking for a very possible technique to have competitive keywords, all mention i think, we can consider, and i'am working it right now.

[beu]

These are all good ideas but I would also look at how "friendly" sites are in terms of search and users. In terms of search engines architecture is so very important. How good are your keywords if search engines can't find them?

Keep in mind your competition could be wrong and that their keywords may not be the "best" keywords to target! One of the best ways to target buyers is to target keywords your customers use when they call you on the phone and/or come into your store.

PageRank, page size, use of a "site" sitemap, use of external css, URLs with less than 3 parameters, URLs with keywords, meta, TITLE, search friendly links, image ALT "tags", use of h1,h2,h3,h4..., page load time and others should be on your list.

Best of luck!

[geeurbie]

Age of site competition is a very important to consider.

[cryptblade]

Maybe you should share and contribute instead of spam promoting your own site?

[beu]

Like cryptblade said, please don't SPAM!

Originally Posted by thinkBIGsites

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