Previously, in Part One, I briefly touched on keyword research.  However, now we’re going to really dig into the nuts and bolts of keywords and keyword phrases when it comes to SEO. 

In this article, you will discover: 

• What exactly Christian SEO Keywords and Keyword Phrases are
• Different types of Keyword Phrases

So let’s dive in. 

Keywords and keyword phrases are the literal words people type into the Google Search Bar, as shown in the image below. 

And as a Church, business owner, non-profit, or blogger, your goal is to give Google the best, most accurately defined, highly educational, well written information on whatever phrase is typed into the search bar.  Why?  So Google will offer your products, pages or posts at the top of Google’s search results. 

… and quite honestly, in theory, ranking at the top is actually quite simple.  All you need to know is the right answer. 

“Uhh… the right answer to what, Josh?”

Well, the right answer to the question being asked:  “How can I rank at the top of Google?”  But believe it or not, the answer really has nothing to do with the technical ins-and-outs of search engine optimization (seo).  Would you like to know the answer?

The reason I fell in love with Christian Internet Marketing is because of something I heard from one of the co-founders of Google, when he said (and I’m paraphrasing):

“Our #1 goal from the beginning is to provide the best customer service possible to anyone who searches for something in our Google Search Bar.” 

When I heard that statement, I immediately asked the question, “How can I provide Google what it needs in order that Google will think of me first when providing the best customer service possible to its Google Searchers?”  

However, to find the answer to my question, all you have to do is go back about 2,000 years to a dispute that was taking place.  This dispute was caused by a mother, when she said to Jesus, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”  Matthew 20:21b

… and the answer to my question, is the exact same answer Jesus gave to her and His disciples when saying, 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many…” Matthew 20: 25-28

Whether you believe me or not, I cannot control.  However, I tell you the truth when I say:  The reason I’m at the top in Christian Internet Marketing today, is because I strive to be the greatest servant of all… even when it comes to SEO. 

Now, please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying.  I’m not bragging.  I’m not suggesting I’m at the top of Google because “I” work hard to be the greatest servant.  I’m saying, Christ has given us the secret to success in everything we do.  And that secret is, “If you wish to become the greatest, then you must become the greatest servant.”

… and yes, even when it comes to SEO. 

That is the answer.  And when we get into implementing keywords and keyword phrases into your website, I’ll show you exactly what I mean!

Now that you know where the terminology keywords and keyword phrases come from. let’s take a closer look at a few of the different types of Christian Keyword Phrases.

While teaching more about different Christian Keyword Phrases, I’m going to use data from my Google Ads Account.  In the table below, what you see are the average number of monthly searches for Christian Tee Shirts in Nashville, TN, (right column) for each of the specific keyword phrases (left column). 

… and you most likely don’t see it, but this table provides so many different teaching tools concerning SEO.  I’ll actually use this same table in the future to teach some other vital information. 

Nevertheless, do you see any of the keyword phrases in the left column of the table that contain only two words?  Yes.  There are Christian Tees and Jesus Tees.  A keyword phrase that has two words or less is referred to as a “Head Term” key word.

The rest of the keywords contain three or more words.  Keyword phrases with three or more words are called Long-Tail Keywords.  However, there is also another type of keyword I’d like to mention.  Transactional Keyword Phrases. 

Transactional Keyword Phrases are those that suggest an intention to make… you guessed it, a TRANSACTION.  These are phrases like, “Christian Tees for Sale” and “Buy Christian T Shirts.”  And again, if you look closely at the table above, you’ll find another transactional phrase.  Can you see it?  It’s “Christian Tee Shirts Near Me.”

For Sale, Buy, Near Me.  Each of these terms, quietly lurking in the shadows of their respective phrases, provide an oh-so-subtle indication to both Google, and now to you, that the searcher is ready to make a purchase… a transaction. 

So here is the million dollar question:  If your business sold Christian tee shirts, of the 3 discussed, which of the different types of keyword phrases would you prefer your website to rank high for – Head Term, Long-Tail or Transactional?

Let us know by giving your answer in the comments below, along with a reason why you’ve chosen that specific answer. 

In the next article, I’ll reveal the answer, along with a quick study on how Google algorithm responds to each of the three different types of keyword phrases.