Everyone knows If you want to pop up at the first position then the right keyword research is a Key. But just think once if no one is searching for what you have written. Will you appear at the 1# position or get a good number of traffic? Of course NO and no matter how much effort you put in still you will lose the game.
Therefore, The right keyword research is the most important thing in SEO. But do not worry we got your back. In this post, we will share a step-by-step process on how to do keyword research for SEO, and also at the end, we will share one bonus tip so without wasting time let’s dive in. So first understand.
What is Keyword Research For SEO
Before we start, do you know what is a keyword in SEO? Keyword is the term that people search on Google (SERP) when they’re looking for information, products, or services online. It is also called a query in Google’s language.
Keyword Research is the process to find out the right keyword that your audience types into search engines.
Types of Keyword Research in SEO
There are several types of keyword research in SEO, each serving different purposes and providing unique insights. Here are some common types:
Navigational: The user is looking for a specific agency or webpage (e.g., “Top Digital Marketing Agency Mumbai”).
Informational: The user is seeking general information about digital marketing topics (e.g., “What is SEO and how does it work?”).
Commercial: The user is researching different options before deciding which agency to hire (e.g., “best digital marketing agencies for small businesses”).
Transactional: The user is looking for a specific service or package, with the intention of making a purchase (e.g., “affordable SEO services Mumbai”).
How to Do Keyword Research for SEO
Now that you understand how significant a role is playing keyword research in SEO. Now let’s turn to the main part of our blog post. So follow these steps for the best keyword research.
Step 1: Understand Your Niche
Before diving into keyword research, it’s essential to understand your niche thoroughly. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the main topics in your industry?
- Who is your target audience?
- What are the common challenges or pain points your audience faces?
- Having a deep understanding of your niche will help you identify relevant keywords that resonate with your audience. It’s not just about finding popular keywords, but finding the ones that align with your business goals and audience needs.
Step 2: Brainstorm Seed Keywords
Seed keywords are the foundation of your keyword research. These are the basic terms related to your niche that you can expand upon. Start by brainstorming a list of words or phrases that directly relate to your business or industry. For instance, if you run a digital marketing agency, some seed keywords might include:
- Digital marketing
- SEO services
- Content marketing
- Social media management
- Once you have a list, you can use keyword research tools to expand these seed keywords into more specific long-tail keywords.
Step 3: Use Keyword Research Tools
There are several powerful keyword research tools available that can help you discover new keywords, analyze their search volume, and understand their competitiveness. Some popular tools include:
- Google Keyword Planner: A free tool that helps you find keywords related to your business and see how often they’re searched.
- Ahrefs: Provides extensive keyword data, including search volume, keyword difficulty, and related keywords.
- SEMrush: Allows you to analyze competitors’ keywords and discover gaps in your own keyword strategy.
- Ubersuggest: Offers keyword suggestions, search volume, and other important metrics.
- Use these tools to find keywords that have a good balance of search volume and low competition.
Step 4: Analyze Competitor Keywords
One of the best ways to find effective keywords is to analyze what your competitors are targeting. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush allow you to enter your competitors’ websites and see which keywords they are ranking for. This can give you valuable insights into the keywords that are driving traffic to their sites and help you identify opportunities to compete or differentiate yourself.
Step 5: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that usually consist of three or more words. While they may have lower search volume, they often have higher conversion rates because they target users who are closer to making a decision. For example, instead of targeting “SEO,” you might focus on “affordable SEO services for small businesses.” Long-tail keywords are particularly effective for attracting highly targeted traffic.
Step 6: Evaluate Keyword Metrics
Once you have a list of potential keywords, evaluate them based on key metrics such as:
Search Volume: The number of times a keyword is searched per month. Higher search volume usually means more potential traffic.
Keyword Difficulty: A measure of how hard it is to rank for a keyword. Lower difficulty means it’s easier to rank, especially if you have a newer website.
Cost Per Click (CPC): If you’re considering running paid ads, CPC will give you an idea of how much you’ll need to spend to get clicks on that keyword.
Trends: Use Google Trends to see how the popularity of a keyword has changed over time and whether it’s likely to continue being relevant.
Step 7: Group and Organize Keywords
After gathering your keywords, organize them into groups or clusters based on their intent and relevance. For example, you could have separate groups for navigational, informational, commercial, and transactional keywords. This will help you create targeted content that addresses specific needs of your audience and improves your chances of ranking for those keywords.
Step 8: Create Content Around Your Keywords
Now that you have your keywords organized, it’s time to create content around them. Ensure that each piece of content is optimized for a specific keyword group. Your content should be high-quality, informative, and provide value to your audience. Use your keywords naturally within your content, including in the title, headers, and meta descriptions, but avoid keyword stuffing.
Bonus Tip: Regularly Update and Refresh Your Keyword Strategy
SEO is not a one-time task. Search trends, user behavior, and competition are constantly changing, so it’s important to regularly review and update your keyword strategy. Revisit your keyword research every few months, analyze the performance of your content, and make adjustments as needed to stay competitive.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering keyword research and driving more traffic to your website. Remember, the key to success in SEO is not just finding the right keywords but also understanding your audience and consistently delivering valuable content.
