Is This Word Used Correctly?

[Cheanque]

Hi, Fellow Authors -

Thanks for answering my newbie questions, I really appreciate the help. My first article was accepted today - talk about a shot a adrenalin! Maybe I can do this...

Here's a question. In my new article I have a sentence that reads: "Why not retire the outmoded downspout for a roof water conveyance device that is just as functional..."

I think "conveyance device" is redundant. "Conveyance" can be used as a noun in this sense. I looked it up in several online sources and have used it as a noun in my regular business and have heard engineers refer to it as such. I think "conveyance" can stand alone in the context of the sentence, but I'm still not 100% sure.

I want it just right before submitting - what do you all think?

[Celeste Stewart]

It sounds a bit awkward to me. Not really a term the average reader would use, though it may be common jargon in the downspout industry. Is there a more common term that you could use? Raingutter system? Rain gutters? Gutter system? Roof water redirection system/device?

My thinking is for search engine purposes, a more common term may be better appreciated by potential customers.

[Cheanque]

You're probably right about it being awkward and search engine challenged. I think I'll leave off the "rain water conveyance device" phrase and just say "alternative". Less wordy that way.

You mentioned search engines. How do you choose words to put in your articles the search engines have a taste for?

Thanks!

[Celeste Stewart]

I try to think of words that I would use myself when searching for information. Many of my customers provide keywords for me to use and I have a few others who have asked me to research phrases using tools such as Googles Adwords Keyword tool (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal). Generally, I just write what comes natural to me and then use descriptive keywords in place of generic words when it makes sense.

For example, if I was writing about home irrigation and was consciously trying to write with keywords in mind, I'd probably use words like "rain gutters," "sprinkler systems," "home irrigation supplies," and "drip irrigation" with the thought that these are probably common search engine inquiries. Instead of the generic, "Gather your supplies and get to work" I might say, "Gather your home irrigation supplies and begin to assemble your drip irrigation system."

[Cheanque]

That makes a lot of sense - just add words and phrases I might use if searching for a topic. Kink of common sense, I feel like a dummy for not thinking that way. Thanks for the clarification, though.

[Celeste Stewart]

It helps to be aware of keywords but try not to overdo it. By writing naturally and avoiding vagueness, you'll be fine. I really believe that keywords often emerge on their own. Besides, there's probably a niche of people who may be looking for "conveyance devices" and if so, your article may very well be the one that gets noticed. :)

[BarryDavidson]

When I saw the phrase "rain water conveyance device", I thought you were probably writing about hydrogen generation. Now those are articles I'd like to see more of.

Celeste is correct though. There probably is a niche of people who will search for the term "conveyance device/s". All personal vehicles are conveyance devices (even bicycles). It wouldn't surprise me to learn that in certain countries American car names don't have a translation, and are called personal conveyance, etc. You might even find that some in the scientific community use those terms in an effort to weed through ten-thousand useless search results.

I would have to say that it depends on the customer. If they want those keywords, you'll have to try to fit them in. Celeste and some of the others here can probably explain SEO tools to you better, but I would hope that their site administrators know about hidden keywords in graphics so that the articles they place aren't cluttered and unreadable.

[Celeste Stewart]

Hi Barry,
Yes, I'm confident in the abilities of the CC customers and their sites. Many customers that come to CC have impressive statistics - if I recall, one was one of the Time Magazine's "Top 100 Websites in the World." Another was rated one of the top ten women's health websites by one of the leading web tracking companies. And those are just two that I remember off of the top of my head. :)