SEO & Marketing Pillars 1-4

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational SEO, marketing concepts, keyword types, evaluation criteria, and competitor/SWOT analysis.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

A set of practices aimed at improving a website’s visibility in search-engine results pages (SERPs).

SEO Application

Using SEO data to understand customers, evaluate competitors, and guide content for websites, social media, email, and product or service development.

Marketing

The broad process that covers every stage of a product’s journey, from research to promotion and customer support.

Advertising

A subset of marketing focused specifically on promoting a product or service.

Entrepreneurial Marketing

Low-cost, highly targeted marketing strategies used by small firms to drive growth, often relying on inbound tactics.

Inbound Marketing

Permission-based marketing that matches content to a customer’s interests, contrasting with interruptive outbound marketing.

Keyword Research

The practice of identifying and analyzing the words and phrases people type into search engines to find information, products, or services.

Competitor Research

Analyzing rival businesses’ strategies, strengths, and weaknesses to improve one’s own approach.

Long-Tail Keyword

A keyword phrase containing three or more words that usually attracts high-value organic traffic and converts better than short phrases.

Buy-Now Keyword

A keyword that signals immediate purchase intent, e.g., “Bluehost discount.”

Product Keyword

A keyword that names a specific product or category, e.g., “WordPress hosting.”

Informational Keyword

A keyword used when the searcher seeks knowledge, e.g., “How to take lowlight pictures.”

Tire-Kicker Keyword

A keyword suggesting the searcher is looking for free or low-commitment options, e.g., “Free.”

Keyword Evaluation – Volume

The number of monthly searches a keyword receives.

Keyword Evaluation – Cost Per Click (CPC)

The average advertising cost paid when someone clicks an ad for that keyword.

Keyword Evaluation – Competition

The number of websites already ranking or bidding on a given keyword.

Ideal Keyword Opportunity

A keyword with high search volume and low difficulty, or a low-volume keyword with very low difficulty.

Competitor Analysis

The systematic study of competitors to understand the market landscape and uncover opportunities.

Competitor Analysis Process

Identify competitors, assess their strengths, weaknesses, tactics, messaging, and design to refine your own strategy.

SWOT Analysis

A framework that categorizes a business’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Internal factors: _____ are advantages or competitive edges; _____ are disadvantages or areas needing improvement.

Opportunities and Threats

External factors: _____ are areas where competitors are weak; _____ are areas where competitors are strong or market trends pose risks.