I Now Love Micro Niche Finder Even More Than I Did Before!
Posted in Keyword Research on 04. May, 2010
I’ve been using Micro Niche Finder for a while now. When I’ve described it to people, I’ve always said that it basically does the things that the Google keyword research tool and Google searches can do for free, but in a fraction of the time. But since they released version 5 a few weeks ago, I have to admit I love it even more than before.
Micro Niche Finder is particularly useful to me as a site flipper. By putting together keyword lists, including extra details like Strength of Competition (SOC), I have a great bonus to offer my buyers. The new version lets you open multiple tabs for keyword searches at once, and queues up everything a lot better than the previous version did. This is great because I like to do multiple keyword searches for the same niche (for example if I was in the Spanish language niche I’d search for “learning Spanish”, “teach yourself Spanish”, “Spanish lessons” and so on, all separately to find a greater number of keywords). That feature alone has both sped up my keyword research and given me better domain options for my own sites and my clients’.
I Don’t Rely on Micro Niche Finder’s Numbers
One thing I’ve also realised through experience, even though I’ve been told many times by some great bloggers (some things you just have to learn for yourself), is that the “Strength of Competition” isn’t the be all and end all. In fact, I’ve come to pretty much ignore it during the initial stages of finding a domain name.
What I do instead is find available domain names and check out the competition on page 1. I have different criteria depending on whether it’s for a micro niche site (that I don’t want to put much effort into marketing), or a niche blog (that I’ll do more marketing for). In general I look at the page ranks and backlinks on Page 1, and what kind of sites are on page 1. If there are plenty of Page Rank -, 0s, or 1s, that’s a really good sign.
Like everyone says, it all comes with experience. Despite the fact that I’ve been searching for domains and looking up keywords for a year now, I feel as though things are only just starting to click. No tool, even Micro Niche Finder, can make up for the experience you need, unfortunately.
My New Plan of Action
It was a long weekend here in the UK, so I wasn’t officially working but I did do a lot of keyword research yesterday (which is why I decided to post about MNF). I bought nine new domain names today, both for flipping and to keep. I spent a few hours today doing the basic WordPress setup, and will carry on developing them so they’ve all got a few posts. I’ll decide which I want to let go for flipping after their initial ranking/ my feeling about the topic and the keywords. I really want to go full speed ahead building micro niche sites, slightly bigger sites, and sites to flip!
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Twitter: frugalzeitgeist
says:
I love it too… I went through a stage where I thought I had outgrown MNF but then I went back and realised that was a silly decision… you just learn to not rely on it but use it for your base research… It’s awesome and is responsible for all my biggest money earners!
Forest´s last blog ..Could Bartering Replace Currency?
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Forest – I honestly do love it, and yeah I went through the same feelings but it’s one of those purchases that I’ll never regret spending the money on.
Twitter: AffProgress
says:
Hi Ruth,
I’m also still a big fan of MNF. Both the SOC and estimated cost per click, I tend to use as relative indicators rather than taking them on face value.
I’ll have to get myself upgraded to v5, I’ve not got around to it yet.
Des @ Affiliate Progress´s last blog ..Are Blog Comments Important?
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Des – Oh you should get around to upgrading, it’s fantastic!! Although, backup any old keyword searches first as it didn’t transfer mine over to the new version.
I love the SOC for things like blog posts, it’s an easy way for me to pick the keywords. I forgot to mention CPC but yeah that is extremely useful too.
MNF is looking a lot more promising, especially since the google keyword tool changed their interface-that really threw me off.
Kelly´s last blog ..Family Always Comes First – Even Before Business
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Kelly – I know, that has really thrown me off too!
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
I could definitely use some help with blog post KW research. All your links are blank pages.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Would You Like to Read a TRUE Make Money Online Blog? Part 1
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Dennis – Micro Niche Finder is definitely useful for fast research, but like I said you can get the same info from Google’s tool. I think I could use some help too, it really is one of the toughest parts about internet marketing! I’m not sure why the links aren’t working – I just tested them in my Firefox and IE and they load the Micro Niche Finder page. What browser are you using?
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
Will it explain the research to a 2 yo also. lol
Links send me to just a blank white page, after directing me to a new page.
New Firefox version.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Would You Like to Read a TRUE Make Money Online Blog? Part 1
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Dennis – Do you not have any experience in keyword research? I would definitely say save your money by not buying a tool until you’ve got the basics down (and there are a lot of good blog posts out there on that, showing how to use the Google Keyword tool). In some ways yes anyone could use Micro Niche Finder, and it does a lot of the work for you so you don’t even have to think much, but I guess you’ll want the experience to know you’re using it right.
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
I’ve read all the articles and even tried to go one on one with a few people, there are some aspects I just don’t get but i don’t wanna just give up on it.
I’ll need the tool eventually, if not today; this I know.
However, today I can afford it, lol. Please email me your aff. link.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Would You Like to Read a TRUE Make Money Online Blog? Part 1
Twitter: bwsteam
says:
I tried to use Google Keyword Tool a few time but didn’t find it that good! I am looking for something that will help finding good keywords and MNF looks like a good choice. I will check it out and see if I like it.
Thanks for recommendation! And good luck with new projects!
Ishan´s last blog ..The Golden Number: How Long Should A Good Post Be?
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Ishan – The Google Keyword tool is useful but it definitely needs to be combined with doing your own Google searches and taking a look at what’s ranking already. MNF is so simple to use – that’s what I love about it
Thanks for the good luck for my new projects too!
Twitter: Kidgas
says:
Ruth,
Just had to say that I like the new look. Best of luck as you start working more diligently on your sites.
Kidgas´s last blog ..Writing on the Road
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Kidgas – Thanks! I didn’t really mean to change it, in fact I might change it again, but I decided to stop messing around with the design and actually do some work instead
Twitter: 7somewhere
says:
Hey Ruth – always good to have a reminder about a product that I hold. I switched away from MNF to Market Samurai earlier in the year, but I think there is space in my toolkit for both. I’m not very good at keyword research though so i could do with dedicating a day just to really learning how to use the tools and then to generate some decent keywords to try to rank for.
I have to admit that I prefer just to write natural content and not think about keywords at all – but I’d rank better if I did lol
Clare Swindlehurst´s last blog ..30 Days of Productivity – Day 5
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Clare – I have heard very good things about Market Samurai too. It’s one of those things I’d like to try when I get a bit more time and money to invest again. I’m sure finding your own technique to make use of certain parts of all the various tools is a good way to go. And yeah there is something to be said about not focusing your writing around keywords. But the more you write with keywords, the more you get used to fitting them in without compromising the quality of the article. And by the way, looks like you got the right Twitter ID
Twitter: 7somewhere
says:
lol – it’s too early this morning – I just realised I put someone else’s Twitter ID in that last post… oops.
Clare Swindlehurst´s last blog ..30 Days of Productivity – Day 5
Twitter: mikeroosa
says:
Unfortunately I haven’t had time to try MNF. I do use Market Samurai though and absolutely love it. I probably spend way too much time in there. I hope to give MNF a try soon.
Mike Roosa´s last blog ..Forum Marketing Ninja Tip #3 – The New Post
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Mike – I guess if you already have Market Samurai you might not need MNF – I have heard great things about that tool as well.
Hi Ruth,
I was looking at both Micro Niche Finder and Market Samurai. I went with MS.
You can download a free trial of Market Samurai to test but I did not see the opportunity for Micro Niche Finder.
If you do get the chance to try MS It would be good info to hear you comments on both.
I do think they are very similar and other post / articles seem to be a tie.
Also, Nice paint job. But I know your like my wife and will change it a few more time just to make sure.
OK Honey, I’ll move the couch again,Dear…
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Steve – hehe thanks, hopefully I can stick with this theme for a while, but I did fancy a “fresh start”.
As for MS the free trial is fantastic. MNF should do it too – they would get a lot of sales. From what I’ve heard, learning to use MS can take more time but can be even more effective than MNF for some reasons. One day I’ll take the time to learn it!
Twitter: lbogaerts
says:
I have the same with Market Samurai, it speeds things up and I love it, but I won’t rely solely on it. When I picked a keyword that I might want to build a site around I will do a second check with the adwords keyword tool for the search numbers and a google search for the competition. That way you’re always sure to have the best keyword for your blog.
Leslie´s last blog ..Looking Back On What I Accomplished This Far
Leslie, I agree.
I will also Bing & Yahoo a keyword to see what shows up.
I also like the Golden Compass as it uses a little different way of tweaking the results. Though it does not have the overall power of MS or MNF, it does give you some neat ideas.
Steve´s last blog ..Caring For Your Aging Parents
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
Not realizing ahead of time (oops), I now own both MS and MNF…stupid or uses for both?
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..A TRUE Make Money Online blog – Part 2 – Choose My Domain Name
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Dennis – I haven’t used MS enough to answer that properly but I know some people who use both. From what I can tell, MS can be more in depth but MNF can be quicker and easier to use. That’s why I chose MNF first but I’m hoping to use MS in future too!
Twitter: DennisEdell
says:
OK then, if I read into this just right.;.I can use MNF to learn and MS once i have a firmer grasp.
That sound about right?
I read, more in-depth as bigger learning curve – or is this wrong?
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..A TRUE Make Money Online blog – Part 2 – Choose My Domain Name
Twitter: mikeroosa
says:
MS is very easy to use and has a ton of information about any keyword that you need to know about. It really offers a lot for the cost. I can’t compare it to MNF though because I’ve never used that.
Mike Roosa´s last blog ..I’m Giving Away The Farm — Read This If You Like Free Stuff
Twitter: webcareergirl
says:
Mike & Dennis – I used MS but found it too complex, I didn’t really understand what everything meant but I’ve been told by a lot of people that the info is really valuable when you watch the training vids. I would recommend taking a look at them Dennis, give you an idea of whether it’s good for you or not.