Here’s one of the most common mistakes people make when they’re trying to optimize their web pages:  They use too many keywords, especially on their home pages.

A web page should be optimized for a few related keywords.  So, what are related keywords?  Related keywords are like these examples:  CityName real estate, CityName real estate listings, CityName homes, CityName ST real estate, and CityName STATE real estate.  And, in that example, you should use the same CityName.  (ST indicates using the two-letter abbreviation for your state, and STATE indicates using your state written in full)

I know that sounds limiting.  But, keep in mind that your home page isn’t the only page on your website.  The post on this site about Choosing Keywords explains a bit more about using different keywords on different pages.

Your goal should be to optimize your home page for several related keywords.  But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t include other CityNames in the text of the page.  Certainly, if your target market encompasses four cities, you want your visitors to know about it.  Just limit your on-page optimization on your home page to your key market area.

Then, create original content pages about each of the four cities you service.  Optimize each of those pages for several keywords related to the cities they describe.  Obtain incoming links to your home page and internal pages, using the four city keyword phrases as anchor text.

If you stay consistent with your SEO tasks, you’ll find that you will start ranking for all four city terms.  But, if you try to optimize one page for all four areas, the search engines won’t know what your expertise is!

Remember, when it comes to optimizing web pages, less is more!!