So you want to learn how to conduct keyword research? Proper keyword research is the corner stone of any successful SEO campaign. Just like in the business world, you need to conduct research! Without proper keyword research you are doomed to a failure of a campaign. In this lesson we will discuss everything you need to know to perform keyword research yourself! As well as provide some live examples!
Importance
When launching a website, many assume that traffic will naturally follow due to the site’s inherent value or need. However, this is only partially true. Interests can vary widely from person to person. Just because I’m selling limited edition shoes doesn’t mean everyone will flock to buy them. Some may find them unaffordable, while others might not be shoe enthusiasts. Therefore, it’s crucial to attract an audience genuinely interested in what your website offers.
Understanding and using the right keywords can drive immense traffic, making your efforts more profitable and successful. Interested individuals will find your website through their search queries, forming a naturally engaged audience. You won’t need to convince them to spend time on your site—they’re already interested in your products or services from the start.
Many services offer to rank your chosen keywords for a fee. But if those keywords aren’t relevant, what’s the point? Plus, there’s no guarantee they’ll rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Thorough research is essential. It ensures your website reaches the most relevant and engaged user base, ultimately leading to greater visibility and success.
Things to avoid while pursuing keyword research
Keyword research doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it’s easy to get bogged down by countless factors when evaluating your keywords. Having worked in this industry for quite some time, I’m here to share my top tips to help you streamline the process and save time.
- Avoid Copying Competitors’ Keywords: Your competitors’ keyword strategies may not align with your approach and audience. Craft a unique strategy tailored to your goals.
- Focus on Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Ensure your keywords highlight your specific strengths and offerings. Avoid focusing solely on your brand name.
- Consider Google’s Perspective: Just because competitors use certain keywords doesn’t mean your choices aren’t unique. Think about how Google sees your content and strive for originality.
- Balance Short-Tail and Long-Tail Keywords: Don’t just target high-volume, short-tail keywords. Include long-tail keywords and Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) terms to create a well-rounded strategy.
When it comes to SEO, even websites in the same niche can target different keywords. The key is to choose keywords that suit your website’s strengths and potential performance in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Avoid using your website’s name as a keyword. It’s unlikely that many people will search for it directly. Instead, approach your keyword research rationally. Think broadly and don’t limit yourself to a specific category. This will ensure your site attracts a wider audience and performs better in searches.
How to do Keyword Research
We’ve discussed the importance of keyword research, and we’ve covered the do’s and don’ts. But how do you actually begin? If you’ve paid close attention, starting your keyword research won’t take long. You only need to focus on three key aspects.
- Market Search Volume: Measure how often your target market searches for relevant terms.
- Competitive Landscape: Determine if your brand’s competition is low, medium, or high.
- Search Intent: Understand how potential clients search for your services and what their intent is.
Mastering this topic is straightforward with Google’s own tools at our disposal! These tools, from the pioneers of SEO, offer unmatched accuracy and insights.
Let’s start with the first crucial step which is understanding your market trends. It’s essential to consider regional specifics to make your keywords precise. The more you refine and filter your search, the better your results will be.
Understand Keyword Performance with Google Trends
Google Trends is an invaluable tool for gauging keyword performance. It offers insights into whether a keyword is trending, how long it has been trending, and its likely performance in the future.
Here’s what you can do with Google Trends:
- Trend Analysis: See if a keyword is gaining or losing popularity.
- Customization: Adjust your search by category, region, and time frame.
- Comparison: Compare two terms to make more informed decisions.
For example, you can track the rise or decline of interest in “remote work” over the past year and compare it with “office work” to understand shifting trends.
Use Google Trends to make smarter choices and stay ahead of the curve.
How To Use Google Keyword Planner
Start your keyword research with one of the most popular tools, Google Keyword Planner. Simply log in to Google Ads, go to ‘Tools & Settings,’ and select Keyword Planner. Discover new keywords or check search volumes effortlessly.
To find keywords that align with your domain and offerings, be sure to include a variety of relevant terms. This tells Google you’re looking for similar and more targeted keyword options. Here’s an example snippet from my search for keyword ideas for this article!
If you consider the results, the first two keywords we mentioned are excellent choices for your article. They have high search volumes and low competition. Let’s also explore the keywords Google suggested for their relevance. Any of these keywords would be a fantastic option to use!
I focused on long-tail keywords to match how my visitors search. Using intent types made my queries more precise, resulting in keywords with low to medium competition and significant search volumes. You’ll get endless suggestions and can easily add filters to refine your search.
Keyword research doesn’t have to be complicated. The trick is to think like your audience, not as the site owner. By putting yourself in their shoes, you’ll better grasp search intent and the importance of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) and long-tail keywords. This approach will help you attract more relevant traffic and improve your SEO strategy.
