How to Track Keyword Conversions on Your Blog

In my last blog post I talked about how to do Keyword Research for Free.

I ended the discussion by promising to show you how I automate the process using a paid program, however I am going to save that for next week.

Tracking keyword conversions is very important. There is no reason to rank for keywords in search engines if you do not know how they convert on your website.

In the following video I show you how to track keyword conversions on your blog using Google Analytics.

Make sure you click the Full Screen icon in the bottom right of the video after you start to play, otherwise you are not going to be able to see what I am doing.

The idea is to be able to identify which keywords your readers use to find your blog and subsequently opt-in to your list.

Steps to Track Keyword Conversions

Step 1 – Sign up for a Free Google Analytics account

Step 2 – Install “Exclude Pages” plugin for your WordPress blog

Step 3 – Create a “Thank You” page for your blog that your opt-in auto-responder will redirect to. Ensure you uncheck the “Include this page in lists of pages” option created by the “Exclude Pages” plugin

Step 4 – If you are using an XML Sitemap plugin then exclude the “Thank You” page you created above

Step 5 – Install “Google Analyticator” plugin for WordPress (or similar plugin)

Step 6 – Follow the instructions to have Google Analytics track your blog

Step 7 – Create a Google Analytics Custom Report

Step 8 – Use the following settings: Metric – Unique Pageviews | Dimension – Page | Sub Dimension – Keyword

Step 9 – Save the report and view the results by selecting your “Thank You” page and drill down to see the keywords

Bonus Video on How to Hide Pages on your Blog

Make sure you click the Full Screen icon in the bottom right of the video after you start to play, otherwise you are not going to be able to see what I am doing.

So there you have it, everything you need to know to identify which keywords are leading to opt-ins for your list.

Peter Fuller MBA CA
905-566-1927

P.S. Share your thoughts below in the comments and if you found this post valuable please do share using the nice icons below. I truly appreciate all of your comments, whether you agree with me or not.

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This entry was posted on January 16, 2011, 8:58 am and is filed under Internet Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

#1 by Arjun Rai on March 9, 2012 - 1:46 am

Thanks you so much for sharing this useful tips and amazing video which helped a lot to me.
Arjun Rai’s latest post Truck Salvage

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#2 by Nile on February 29, 2012 - 6:19 am

With WordPress 3.0 and beyond, the exclude pages is no longer needs because the new code for menus allows you to pick and choose, rather than from the page. I have been weaning my blog off of that plugin as I go through more of my design revamp. The plugin only removes the page from the menu, but not for crawling. If you do not want a page crawled, use your SEO plugin’s advanced settings for that page to deny the search engines from the pages you do not want to show up in your results.
Nile’s latest post Why Anonymous Blogging Is Not for Serious Bloggers

#3 by Etieno Etuk on October 1, 2011 - 3:56 pm

Awesome post, Peter. The step-by-step instructions were very helpful and insightful. Thanks for sharing.

Etieno
Etieno Etuk’s latest post How To Get More Followers On Twitter Really Fast, Using 3 Free Combo Tools: Step By Step

#4 by Martin on August 2, 2011 - 5:27 am

Thanks for taking the time to write/record that tutorial, i had no idea this is such complex matter. I guess i should make an effort and start tracking my keyword conversions if i want to raise my paycheck.
Martin’s latest post Commercial Driver’s License

#5 by Michael on July 3, 2011 - 4:10 am

Keywords is very important to improve blog conversion. It’s great that you provided this tutorials. This can be very helpful not only for me but to all people interested to improve their blog result.
Michael’s latest post Haier MWM0701TB Compact 2/3-Cubic-Foot 700-Watt Microwave Oven, Black

#6 by waterpearls on June 30, 2011 - 7:24 am

Hi Peter,
I like you all posts because your posts are very informative and I enjoy reading it.You well explained the topic with the help of videos and thanks for sharing you knowledge on how to track keyword conversions in blog.This post is really helpful for us.
waterpearls’s latest post Ultrahosting Coupons

#7 by Andrew Walker on May 20, 2011 - 8:52 pm

Hey there Peter Fuller, You’d made an awesome steps-by-steps instruction. The instructions are very clear. It’s very vital to track our keyword to make an improvement to our blog. Your Google Analytic tutorial is also explanatory. Thank you very much.
Andrew Walker’s latest post Wild Orchid Coupon Code

#8 by Arjun Rai on March 5, 2012 - 11:26 pm

Agree with you Andrew, it is really important to track our keyword for better result and i think this post will defiantly gonna help people a lot .
Arjun Rai’s latest post Motorcycle Salvage

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#9 by Yasser Khan on May 20, 2011 - 9:41 am

Hi Peter,

I do use the tools and plugins you’ve suggested and have been doing so since I started blogging a year ago. The no-follow of thank-you page makes sense, and I had overlooked this aspect.

Its power only becomes apparent after continual use.

Yasser
Yasser Khan’s latest post Don’t Believe A Word You Read In This Post

#10 by Andy Nathan on May 13, 2011 - 5:18 pm

That is awesome! Love it! Google analytics is such a great tool for your business!

#11 by Shivam Garg on May 6, 2011 - 2:32 am

Hi Peter Fuller,
This is very good and informative article. The steps listed were clear and self explanatory. Also this is very helpful for the neophytes.Thanks.

#12 by Tonya Heathco on March 30, 2011 - 12:06 am

I enjoyed this post. The step-by-step instructions were very helpful. The wisdom and authority with which you wrote made me feel comfortable in taking action. I look forward to reading more from you. I know every post I read from you will be quality content.
Tonya Heathco’s latest post Hippocrates on Epilepsy

#13 by Ali Mujtaba on March 21, 2011 - 11:49 am

Great technique! Tracking your keyword is really important for you to know so you have an idea to improve your blog. You also did a great tutorial for google analytics. Some people are not taking advantage of this tool until now.
Ali Mujtaba’s latest post Causes Of Tinnitus

#14 by Tommy DiPietro | Social Networking on March 3, 2011 - 1:26 pm

Hey Peter,

I check my Google Analytics every single morning
and it acts as a great guide. I know where my
traffic is coming from and what keywords are doing
the trick.

Thanks for sharing you information about Google
Analytics. I am sure there are many that
do not understand it and do not know its power.

Tommy D.

#15 by Benny Howe on January 22, 2011 - 11:51 pm

It is easy to forget how great some software is on the internet. Although Google as a company can be a bit of a pain sometimes, they do have some really good tools.

Great, and highly useful post fella, Thank You

Benny
Benny Howe’s latest post A Message to All UK Students

#16 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:41 pm

Hey Benny

I just love all of the google tools they provide

They are the perfect example of providing huge value up front

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#17 by Nicole Long on January 21, 2011 - 1:26 pm

As always Peter, you provide great information and tools that we can read and begin to implement instantly. It helps so much for those newer to the “blogging” world. Thanks and I will be using this soon
Nicole Long’s latest post HOT FANPAGE LEADS

#18 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:40 pm

You are very welcome Nicole

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#19 by Heather C Stephens on January 19, 2011 - 3:17 pm

Okay Peter…you win the clever marketer gold star for the week!

I love what you’re teaching on google analytics and I’m guilty of having the default aweber thank you page. I’ll be adding this to the top of my (need to update) list for my blog.

Also, your exclude pages suggestion will be helpful for a lot of people. I didn’t know about it when I first got started blogging, and unfortunately, my download page for my free offer was accessible to everyone. Live and learn.

Thanks for providing such awesome value…again!

Heather
Heather C Stephens’s latest post Beginner Blogger Q and A- Infinite Content Ideas

#20 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:40 pm

Hey Heather

Glad to help and I am looking into a slightly more techie way to do it without the hidden thank you page

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#21 by Susanna Hess@Video Branding on January 19, 2011 - 1:02 pm

Wow Peter, talk about value!

I’ve been fascinated at how much we can learn through our analytics account, but this one was new to me.

I’m checking it out and had an “ah ha” moment about a couple of new leads, and their interests.

Wonderful info, THANK YOU! I could just hug you right now.

Susanna

#22 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:38 pm

I love hugs, don’t tell your husband

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#23 by kisane on January 19, 2011 - 1:56 am

Hi Peter

It is so fantastic having you and Jym and others in the ‘proveit’ challenge who can give us such fantastic information, tips and advice that we would not otherwise have encountered. Being in this challenge is turning out to be the most amazing educational journey and you are all so very generous with the follow-up support.

Thank you so much

Kisane
kisane’s latest post Overcoming The Sixteen Obstacles To Success- Part 4

#24 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:37 pm

You are very welcome Kisane

I love these contests and they expose us to other bloggers and other idea

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#25 by Ilka Flood on January 17, 2011 - 7:30 pm

Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for a great tutorial! Now I know how to do that.

Cheers,

Ilka
Ilka Flood’s latest post There Are No Problems Only ”Unseen” Solutions

#26 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:36 pm

I am glad to help Ilka

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#27 by Steve Shoemaker on January 17, 2011 - 6:27 pm

Peter a man after my own heart that was awesome. I use the google analytics plug in but after seeing the versatility with anaylicator I may just be sold. I guess that subscribe page is no index no follow in your robots txt file as well? Great strategy.

Steve
Steve Shoemaker’s latest post Cool Facebook Tricks! Use Events For Traffic To A Like Page

#28 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:34 pm

Hey Steve

Google Analytics reporting is truly powerful, just fool around with it

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#29 by rowenabolo on January 17, 2011 - 12:40 pm

Thanks for this step-by-step guide to using Google Analyticator. It’s time for me to revisit this plugin as I haven’t done anything with it yet.

It has been sitting there in my dashboard, and I believe I did something wrong with the authorization process. I may have to reinstall it. I’ll follow your video this time.

Great to know you through Prove-it. Thanks for all the how-to videos

-Rowena
rowenabolo’s latest post Why You Should Be An Entrepreneur Despite Your Family and Friends

#30 by Peter Fuller on January 23, 2011 - 6:25 pm

Hello Roweno, thanks for the comment and I love your latest post

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#31 by Devesh on January 17, 2011 - 10:24 am

Nice Post Peter.

Many of these things are new to me. Thanks for sharing this awesome tips man.

~Dev
Devesh’s latest post 26 Magazine Style Free WordPress Themes

#32 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 10:56 am

No problem Devesh, thanks for commenting

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#33 by Jym @ MLM Lead Generation on January 17, 2011 - 6:13 am

hi Peter,

Great tutorials… How your visitors are finding you is essential to know – especially the ones who subscribe. I wasn’t aware of the need for the subscription thank you page though, I’ve been using the Google Analytics for WordPress plugin…

Google Analytics can provide a lot of information, it’s definitely worth using it either way!

Thanks for laying out the ‘how’

Jym
Jym @ MLM Lead Generation’s latest post Improve Your Online Marketing Blog SEO Instantly!

#34 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 10:55 am

Hey Jym, the reason for a hidden “Thank you” page on your website (blog) is to allow Google Analytics to track people who get to that page.

If they can only get to that page through your opt-in box then you can track which keywords they used, if any, to get to that page.

Peter

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- #35 by Jym @ MLM Lead Generation on January 17, 2011 - 8:11 pm
  
  Ahhh… Got it. Thanks for the clarity =)
  
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#36 by Oliver Tausend on January 17, 2011 - 5:19 am

awesome tutorials. Though I had been using Google analytics before, I haven’t known all that so far. I will set up this too.

Thanks for sharing.

Take care

Oliver
Oliver Tausend’s latest post A Blog Challenge And Nothing But Excuses

#37 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 11:21 am

Let me know how it works out Oliver and if you have any questions just ask

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#38 by Mavis Nong @ Free Marketing Training on January 16, 2011 - 9:23 pm

Great tutorials on how to use Google Analyticator and Google analytics.

I have been using these for quite some time now – very cool

Thanks for sharing these tips.

All the best,
Mavis
Mavis Nong @ Free Marketing Training’s latest post How To Get Your Content Shared More Than Ever Before

#39 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 11:15 am

Hey Mavis

Yes, I think Google Analyics is très cool

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#40 by Liz on January 16, 2011 - 6:26 pm

Great info using Google Analyticator and Google analytics.

I use my own log files through my awstats on my Cpanel but I think the strategy you’re demonstrating may give me more information than what I’m getting through my awstats.

Going to give this one a try, thanks Peter, VERY helpful
Liz’s latest post Email Marketing – Is it Still Effective

#41 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 11:12 am

Hello Liz

Awstats is okay, but it will not show you what keywords people who opted-in used to find you, which is the important question.

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#42 by Henway on January 16, 2011 - 3:53 pm

I’m very wary about using Google Analytics. There’s some ppl who say that Google actually uses the information in Analytics and it may work against you sometimes, and they may end up penalizing you.
Henway’s latest post Matchcom Support Strategies

#43 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 10:58 am

Hey Henway

Personally I do not worry about such things, even though it might make for a good movie

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#44 by Steven Dean on January 16, 2011 - 10:54 am

Peter

Hmmm… Very interesting I had no idea that you could do this or really dabbed into the Google analytics to use this. Looks like I might have to try and try again to set it up accordingly. Very useful information. I guess I have a little work cut out for me.
Steven Dean’s latest post Alexa Ranking Newbie Update

#45 by Peter Fuller on January 17, 2011 - 11:10 am

Hey Steven, thanks for stopping by

Google Analytics is very powerful, just play with it, especially the Custom Reports and Funnels

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