Keywords are the basis for internet search, search engine optimization, niche market identification, competition analysis and a host of other identity and cross-linking business building techniques. So I'd like to outline a method to use free internet utilities that will suggest keywords, indicate approximate bid values, and derive metrics for leveraging supply and demand for doing business on the internet.

To get an idea of how this works launch your browser and go to a website at pixelfast.com/overture/ In the upper left corner you'll see an Overture search box where you can type in a keyword like “marketing” to follow this example. You will be challenged with a security box so type in the code and a list of maximum bids and listings for the term is displayed in the left column. The right column displays the Overture search of the keyword [highlighted], the number of search requests in the “Count” column and related “Search Term”(s) opposite.

This page displays the bid value or what advertisers are bidding to pay for their ad to be displayed when the term is searched. The advertiser pays per click. If you display the ad on your page and a visitor clicks on the link, you will be paid a commission. The bid column indicates demand for advertising on a particular keyword search term.

The Overture search results in the right column indicate demand for information based on the same search term. For example in July 2006, 196,638 visitors searched on the term “marketing” and as you read down the list you will see the number of searches on similar keyword phrases. The keyword selector tool indicates consumer demand for information relating to a keyword and keyword phrases as well.

Open another tab or window, go to google.com, and then in the google search box enter “marketing”. In the blue bar on top of the list, you will see “Results 1-10 of about 1,590,000,000 for marketing” This indicates the supply of information on the term marketing.

The basic metrics that can be drawn from this data are that consumers demanded 196,638 requests for the term marketing and there were 1 billion 590 million suppliers of which the top bid for the keyword “marketing” was $1.07.

The ratio of supply to demand indicates whether to buy or sell advertising. For example, the closer the ratio is to zero the less competition, so the keyword would be a good buy. Alternatively, the greater the difference, the greater the supply for a keyword, therefore the higher the bid to pay per click and a good indicator to be selling that keyword advertising on your site.

Supply and demand can also be used to identify competition in a niche market or where to position your existing business using keyword phrases to leverage a less competitive position within a larger market.

You can get more facts on the closely-guarded secrets of internet marketing that are finally being revealed in the Business Builder Report that shows you how to improve your business building results with leverage and other tactics. To join our group and get your weekly report sign up at www.h4h.biz.