Finding a Niche Using keyword Tools-Video and Tips

There are many keyword tools available to choose from and you will find some listed below, but here we will use the free Google keyword tool.

What you are attempting to do with this tool is to enter a top level keyword (seed keyword) and get a list of related keywords and the search volume.

The video takes you through the basic process. It is the exact procedure I use to quickly evaluate a niche idea.

A quick summary of the video is that what we are looking for ( for a beginner) is:

• A 3 word search phrase (can be more than 3)
• Global Search volume > 2000 per month
• Advertisers are active- means have a chance of making money
• <50,000 competing sites is ideal
• <100,000 competing sites is good
• <200,000 competing sites is OK
• Big names (e.g. Wiki) don't dominate the first 5 results
• Sites in top ten aren't well optimised for that phrase- Good indications are that the phrase isn't part of the domain name and phrase not in the title tag.

Of course the more SEO knowledge you have and web building experience you have the easier is is to target more difficult niches. The above guidelines are for beginners building their first site.

When it comes to making money then you will need to decide on how you will monetize (sell a product, use affiliate, Use Google Adsense).

Therefore the next step is to search for affiliate programs that will fit with this niche. If you can't find any then you have to use Google Adsense.

However if this is the case then you need to be aware that unless you are already an accepted Adsense publisher then you will need to get around 15 good quality pages online before you apply (see-preparing your site for Adsense).

This may be difficult to achieve and so may rule out this niche.

The ideal niche (IMO) has potential for monetizing with both affiliate offers and Google Adsense.

Other Keyword Tools

I find the Google tool excellent for quick research. You can also use it for more detailed research and is really all you need if you are looking to build just one site.

Commercial tools like the micro niche finder are useful if you are doing a lot of research as they make the job much easier and quicker.