What is Keyword Research?
Keywords are the words or phrases people type into search engines’ search bars. They are also called search queries or SEO keywords. Keyword research involves identifying the words and phrases people use in search engines when looking for a particular product, service, or piece of content.
Keywords are important as they connect what users are searching for to what you provide. This process includes brainstorming, thinking like a user, using tools to collect data on the search volume of keywords, analyzing competitors to understand the difficulty of ranking them, and much more.
For example, suppose someone is searching online for a digital marketing school in Canada. They might use keywords like "best digital marketing school," "top digital marketing college," or even "digital marketing course". A digital marketing school would find it useful to know what keywords are being used so that they can make sure they show up for them in search results.
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Why is Keyword Research Necessary?
Understanding Your Audience
Keyword research helps you understand what your potential client is searching for on search engines. By grasping their intent and interest, planning which keywords to use on website content to target the correct audience turns out on point.
The Traffic Game
One of the best advantages of thorough keyword research is determining the potential traffic that can be expected if we achieve the ranking goals for a particular keyword. Additionally, it also informs the kind of content to include that can help rank the website better. A proper understanding of these elements will improve lead generation and return on investment.
How to Find Effective Keywords
1. Think Like Your Customer
It is essential to have in-depth knowledge of the products and services that you offer. Next, you need to adopt your customer’s perspective: If you were searching for a specific product, what phrases would you type into the search engine?
Create a list of all the keywords you brainstormed, and make sure they are relevant and related to the product and service you offer on your website. Think of synonyms and alternative words that can be included, too. Additionally, consider the intent behind the searches—are they looking to make a purchase, compare products, or simply look for information? These searches will have a variety of keywords that cover all angles.
2. Spy on Your Competitors
Analyzing your competitors’ websites is essential, especially since they will provide examples of relevant keywords. Pay close attention to their content and meta descriptions to get more ideas on the specific keyword(s) they are focusing on. This will reveal some trends and effective strategies in your industry.
Using reliable SEO tools, you can research prominent keywords to compare which ones your competitors rank for. This competitive analysis will help you refine your keyword strategy and enable you to compete more effectively by improving your overall SEO performance.
3. Embrace Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more elaborate than average keywords, usually consisting of three or more words. An example of a long-tail keyword is "the best salon for women in Ontario." These keywords are especially beneficial for new brands or businesses trying to establish themselves in a competitive market.
The benefit of considering long-tail keywords is that they have low competition and are, therefore, much easier to rank for. If you try to rank with long-tail keywords, you are more likely to appear in search results with a high chance of attracting customers who are genuinely interested in your specific service or product. This means that these visitors are often further along in the buying process, increasing the chances of conversion.
4. Harness the Power of Tools
There are numerous keyword research tools available that can help you analyze the keywords you want to focus on. For example, Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, and Moz Keyword Explorer provide valuable insights into your chosen keywords. These tools can help you understand search volume, ranking difficulty, cost-per-click (CPC) details, keyword trends, and related keywords.
These tools will not only help you identify higher-volume keywords, but also those with the potential for more traffic and manageable competition. This can be a game-changer for your keyword strategy.
5. The Art of Continuous Review
Once you have a good idea of the list of keywords, it's essential to continuously review and refine the keyword strategy. SEO tools can help you monitor rankings for chosen keywords, analyze their performance and determine whether they need updates.
Some keywords could be doing extremely well, while others might not make a difference. This ongoing analysis allows you to add new keywords that align with emerging trends or remove those that aren’t yielding results. Furthermore, user behaviour and search trends can change, so staying proactive in your keyword review process helps you adapt to these shifts to align with business goals.
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Conclusion: Your Roadmap to Keyword Mastery
If you followed the steps outlined above, you should now have a solid list of keywords that your customers are searching for online. Quality content is significant for your SEO, and including these well-researched keywords while creating your content will ensure that you can rank on the first page of Google’s results.
Do you need assistance with keyword research or SEO services? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our fully certified experts at TechWyse. We're here to help! To book an appointment, call 866-208-3095 or contact us here.
