10 replies to this topic

[dwweaver]

I'm new to affiliate marketing and have been doing a lot of research on how to pick good keywords. I've been using Google AdWords and brand name keywords don't seem to get much search volume but may have a high CPC while I find a lot of buyer keywords with a decent search volume but a low CPC. In the research I did I was told the CPC was a good indicator that people were making money with the keyword. I was told to look for CPC that was over $1. How relevant is CPC in chosing a good keyword? Can someone please shed some light on which direction I should go in picking the right keywords?

[Vairo]

CPC data gives you a clue for your competitors as to what are the most targeted keywords – usually the ones with highest CPC rates are the ones that convert better. Advertisers simply wouldn’t pay that much if it wouldn’t be worth it. Tells us something, doesn’t it? Ultimately keywords with higher CPC always have greater competition (Paid and SEO) and the question you need to ask yourself is; will you be able to crack it or should you go for less popular with less competition keyword? In terms of the brand keywords, seeing what affiliate army we have grown during the past few years – some big generic keywords will be easier to SEO than brand specific ones.

[dwweaver]

Thanks for your reply. You answered my question perfectly.

[cwongwh]

Hi Vairo,
Would you be able to give an example of your said "big generic keywords" ?

Vairo, on 03 February 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

CPC data gives you a clue for your competitors as to what are the most targeted keywords – usually the ones with highest CPC rates are the ones that convert better. Advertisers simply wouldn’t pay that much if it wouldn’t be worth it. Tells us something, doesn’t it? Ultimately keywords with higher CPC always have greater competition (Paid and SEO) and the question you need to ask yourself is; will you be able to crack it or should you go for less popular with less competition keyword? In terms of the brand keywords, seeing what affiliate army we have grown during the past few years – some big generic keywords will be easier to SEO than brand specific ones.

[Vairo]

Let me rephrase that with “decent generic” keywords! What I was trying to say there; some of our merchant “brand terms” are more competitive SEO wise than some of the generic terms for other brands.

[djsassha]

You can download Traffic Travis free version, it can help you find related keywords to main keyword. Its a great software.

[shane8960]

You need to use a variety of criteria, search volumes, cpc, affiliate product conversion rate, commission rate etc.

[coolash]

Among free tools, you can use Google Keyword Tool...works quite well....
Among paid ones, Traffic Travis and Market Samurai are quite good....

CPC definitely gives an idea about the right keywords....in my opinion, if you've got some money, it is best to test waters by doing PPC with some keywords and then concentrating on the shortlisted few that are actually driving traffic...

[AlexH]

Higher CPC just means a higher competition for that keyword. If you are new on the market, I wouldn't go for high competition, because they will eat you and make you invisible for SE. go with low competition and higher volume of searches (not lessthen 500,000)

[Mahesh]

Hi super for new affiliate //go with low competition and higher volume of searches// when i started ppc in google i have wated money start with

[Javinder]

slightly off topic but quite helpful with keyword research nevertheless. I recently came across this useful article on Related Vertical Keywords; http://seo-hacker.co...tical-keywords/

enjoy