Ranking at the top of Google's search engine results pages (SERP) needs an array of techniques and best practices to accomplish this feat. Although a one-size-fits-all approach to achieving the top of Google's search engine results page does not exist, we have explored different blog writing avenues to help you in your journey. This article will explore a step-by-step guide that can allow you to increase your chances of ranking higher on Google's SERP.
Importance of Keywords in SEO
Keywords are essential in SEO as they tell users and search engines exactly what a page is about. Keywords give a page a clear sense of direction in terms of search and user intention. By strategically placing specific relevant keywords across your website's service and location pages, you can make your website easier to find in search results and drive more traffic to your website, which can lead to more potential leads.
Selecting the correct keywords for your content and enhancing the target page on your website for search engines will improve your chances of ranking higher in search results.
Fundamentals of Keyword Research
Keyword research helps you identify words and phrases that users use when searching for information on search engines. The fundamentals of keyword research include the following:
Search Volume
Search volume is the number of searches a particular keyword receives in a month.
Ranking Difficulty
Ranking difficulty is a rough estimate of how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. What contributes to keyword difficulty is the number of competitors, content quality and relevance of their content, and domain authority.
Authority
Authority is the credibility and trustworthiness of a website or brand. The more trustworthy your site is more likely to rank higher in search results.
Relevance
Relevance measures how strictly a keyword describes the content of a website. The content and keywords on that page must be pertinent to the search.
It is imperative to consider search volume, ranking difficulty, authority, and relevance when conducting keyword research.
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How To Research For Best Keywords - A Step-by-Step Guide
To research the best keywords for your website, you need to discover what your customers are looking for. You can do this by identifying the search terms that bring users to your website.
Find Out What Your Customer Searched For (Customer Intent)
Your best friend Google Analytics GA4 can show you which keywords were searched that led the user to your website. Using this data, you can acquire a better understanding of your website's organic performance and the intent of the user entering your website.
Find Keyword Ideas Based on Key Phrases, Related Searches, Long-Tail Keywords, and Latent Semantic Indexing
Think outside of the box and be creative with your keyword ideas. There are several ways to find keyword ideas based on key phrases, related searches, long-tail keywords, and Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI). Additionally, do not be afraid to use keyword tools and Google Autocomplete when researching keyword ideas. Here, you can create a list of relevant search terms ideas when researching the best keywords for a website page.
Check the Keyword Difficulty Test and Search Volume
Use a keyword difficulty test and search volume on a wide range of keywords. A wide variety of SEO tools provide a keyword difficulty score. These scores give you a number from 1 to 100 (100 being more difficult), telling you how hard it will be to rank for a specific keyword. The search volume on the individual keyword provides you with context on how relevant a keyword truly is. It is important to consider both these factors when choosing a keyword to target.
Use One of These Best SEO Keyword Research Tools
To find more related keywords to use, make sure to explore at least one of the many keyword research tools. Those include but are not limited to Google Keyword Planner, Moz Keyword Explorer, SEMrush, Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, BrightEdge Data Cube, Ubersuggest, KeywordTool.io. Additionally, the use of Google Trends can help you identify the popularity of specific keywords. That way, you can see if certain seasonal keyword patterns exist or if a specific keyword is trending in one direction or another. Furthermore, Google Trends API can provide you with a wide range of data, from location-specific keyword trends to related topics and queries
Identify Pages Which Rank for Those Searches
You need to figure out which pages on your website are currently ranking for your target keywords. If you do not have any pages that rank for that keyword, you need to create one tailored to the search. By optimizing the on-page content and structure for the page ranking for your target keywords, you are giving yourself a better chance of being found by search engines.
Refine Your Keyword List
Once you have created your full keyword list, you need to refine it. You must make some hard cuts on any keyword that strays away from the user's search intent. Additionally, giving your list a second look can give you a chance to clean up any previous mistakes you may have made.
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FAQS
How much do paid keyword tools cost?
It depends on where you are looking. Some cost as little as $50 per month, while others span as much as $500 per month.
How can you identify the keywords that are already ranked In SERP?
There are several third-party tools available to check where you are currently ranking. Many different software as a service (SaaS) companies such as Moz and Ahrefs show you where your website currently ranks.
What are LSI Keywords?
LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are keywords related to the target keyword of a page. For example, if the target keyword of a page is about hockey, you may include keywords relevant to the overall topic, such as stick, puck, net, skate, etc.
Which is the best keyword research tool?
There are a lot of great keyword tools available to use, so it is difficult to pinpoint which one is the greatest. It depends on your familiarity and personal preference. Google Ads Keyword Planner is a great free tool to use to look at search volume, trends, and keyword difficulty.
Are there any keyword difficulty testing tools?
Yes, there are a wide variety of keyword difficulty testing tools. Ahrefs Free Keyword Difficulty Checker allows you to find a plethora of different keywords based on an initial search query and provides a score on how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword.
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