Keyword reasearch

[Brokerstar]

I'm getting e-mails about keyword research tools that I 'must have'.

Now do tell me if I'm missing something here but don't you just look on google ad words tool, type in a word and see how popular it is?

Do I really need to bother paying for keyword tools when Google is the main engine that we're optimising for and it has a free keyword tool?

If any of you use keyword tools I'd like to hear about it and why.

Many thanks

Broker

[suffolkpoker]

I use google adwords and 100% Free SEO Software | Traffic Travis i like comparing the 2, especially travis does a daily search for the 3 big engines... i have used other but i keep going back to these.

[gerrypolt]

Great tool Tom.

Thanks, Came in really handy.

[Randy Ray]

The best keyword tool is your imagination, but the Google tool is a nice supplement.

I've used Keyword Discovery and Wordtracker too, and they're both pretty handy.

I've also hired one fairly well-known SEO firm who specializes in keyword research to put together a report of keywords for me. I was NOT satisfied with that experience at all.

The people who put together my report had NO understanding of my industry, and the report they sent me was worse than useless.

[Michael Martinez]

I have rarely used any of the paid tools. The best tool you can work with, however, is your own server log data (or analytics reports if you don't have access to server logs).

The Google AdWords tool is somewhat helpful but it won't tell you how people find your site or which search engines are running hot for you.

[Scott]

There is a free keyword tool available at SEOBook.com that I found useful when looking for new keywords...

-Scott

[Marcelo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Anyone had experience of searching foreign markets keywords?

[Unknown Webmaster]

The Google Adwords Keyword Tool has been way better than anything else I have tried when looking for keyword in (small) foreign markets. The primary reason for this is that the other tools I tried didn't have much data.

[LadyHoldem]

I use the keyphrases in my awstats mixed with the adwords tool. There are a cpl here that do seem popular though. Woopra for instance, and .. compete.com

[chuckchucker]

Yes, compete.com is a good site as well. I usually use google adwords. But find it isn't always 100% correct. Checking out the competition in Compete.com or Alexa.com will come up with the keywords that is driving traffic to their site.

Googling those keywords will give you an idea of which keywords are worth going after as far as competition goes.