How to Research Keywords for Your SEO
Getting your content to be seen by customers can be a pain in the neck; you have to not just have the right content but, the right keywords as well. Knowing the right keywords to use is very important for online marketers because you want to be seen by the right people online. Utilizing the right keywords is the best way to go!
SEO (Search Engine optimization) is simply optimizing your content to rank high on search engine results and in turn, increase the traffic to your website. This is the dream of every person who has an online presence (if not, why use hashtags on Instagram?) What better way to get the necessary visibility online and conversion rate that you desire than to have the right keywords embedded in your content. Getting the right keywords can only be done through research and this article teaches you how to do just that; research the right keywords for Search Engine Optimization. Shall we begin?
1. Define your Business
What do you do? who are you? I say this because the direction of your SEO journey depends solely on the identity of your business and the specific services you offer. So, you need to start this journey well by understanding who you are, the base of your business. Let’s say, your business sells fabrics; not clothes exactly but the materials used to make clothes. You have to know that your keywords should be different from those who sell actual clothes (people mix these up a lot). That is what I am talking about when I say define your business.
2. Brain storming
What are the topics you mostly write about on your page? What services do you offer? Now put yourself in the shoes of your customers, what search queries do you think people will be using to search for your kind of products, services or content on google? Make an important list of topics relating to these. Play around with it a little bit but think, what will people be looking for on google that are related to your brand? Maybe for someone runs a recruitment agency, topics could range from ‘jobs in Z, available internships, online recruitment agencies, employment agencies in Z, etc. these are not your keywords, they are just topics that help make the research easier and broader. If you still in the limbo, there are a few ways you can find these topics.
- Google Related Searches: You know those topics that you find at the bottom of ‘search results page’, they could help too. These results are basically Google’s way of telling you ‘these are related topics people search for too!’ After all, the heading says ‘search related to….’. Also, when you are typing your topic in the ‘search bar’, if you notice, google usually offers a list of other topics. These are also topics people search for as well, pay attention to them.
- YouTube suggestions should also be taken into consideration. Just the same way you found them when typing in the search bar on Google, you can also find them on YouTube.
- Wikipedia: This is a gold mine almost everyone does not pay attention to. When you search a topic on Wiki, there is a content bar on the side that gives you a list of sub topics treated in the result given as well. Some of these subtopics given are related topics that you might be looking for. Add them to your list!
- Forums: These are groups that people usually exchange and discuss information concerning an issue or topic. Forums that are centered on topics relating to what your business offers are one of the best places to go. Why? You get to see what your target audience (they are literally your target audience) are talking about and their frequently asked questions.
3. Get Your list of Seed Keywords
You have gotten your topics now, time to get the keywords out of it! These seed keywords need to be;
- Related to your topics; not general topics that are related to your field but things you do or services you offer. They need to be connected strongly to whatever it is that you do online. Remember the fabrics and clothes example given?
- Searches carried out by your target audience on Google.
Getting these keywords is not too much of a hassle and I would advise you to use keyword research tools, there are tons of them. They help give you keywords that are related to the keywords you give them (see why it is advisable to do your research first?). These keyword tools give you keywords that come with hard data; their total search volume, their average trend, their average CPC (in USD). Some of the tools I recommend are:
- Google keyword planner
- Keyword tool
- Keywords everywhere
- Moz Pro
These will help you understand what keywords get the most attraction monthly and from there, your search is further narrowed down. Also, you can use them to see what your competitors are ranking top for (trust me, you are going to want to see that). This way, you know where exactly to cast your fishing line.
4. Choose the Perfect Keywords
This has to be done with a lot of deliberation. Not every keyword that comes off the tools used or on the list you created will be perfect for you. You need to consider a lot of things like:
- Which of these keywords actually resonate with your business in its value proposition.
- The Nature of your business and page; New or old, informational or commercial, B2B or B2C, etc.
- The ROI they will attract.
- Will it attract the RIGHT audience?
Ask these questions as you select your perfect keywords for SEO and having successfully answered them, watch your exposure and online customer traffic increase exponentially.