Keyword Research

Welcome to our keyword research guide, brought to you by Sitecrafter. Understanding keyword research is crucial for any small business looking to improve their online presence. Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines when looking for products or services. By identifying the right keywords, you can attract more visitors to your website, increase your visibility on search engines like Google, and ultimately drive more sales.

Steps to Identifying Valuable Keywords

1. Brainstorm Seed Keywords

Start by brainstorming a list of basic words and phrases related to your business. These are known as “seed keywords.”

• Think about what your customers might type into Google to find your products or services.
• Consider synonyms and related terms.
• Write down everything that comes to mind.

2. Use Free Tools for Initial Research

There are several free tools available that can help you expand and refine your list of seed keywords.

• Google Keyword Planner: This tool provides keyword ideas and traffic estimates.
• Ubersuggest: Offers keyword suggestions along with search volume and competition data.
• AnswerThePublic: Generates a list of questions people are asking about your keywords.

3. Analyse Search Volume and Competition

Once you have a list of potential keywords, it’s important to understand how often these keywords are searched (search volume) and how competitive they are (competition).

• High search volume means more potential traffic.
• Low competition means it’s easier to rank for that keyword.

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to get this data.

4. Consider Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that usually have lower search volumes but are easier to rank for.

• Example: Instead of “shoes,” consider “women’s running shoes UK.”
• These keywords often convert better because they indicate a specific intent.

5. Check Out Your Competitors

Look at what keywords your competitors are ranking for. This can give you ideas for new keywords and help you understand what’s working in your industry.

• Use free tools like Ubersuggest or paid ones like SEMrush (if you decide to invest later) to see competitor keywords.

6. Organise Your Keywords

Now that you have a refined list of keywords, it’s time to organise them into categories based on themes or topics. This will help you plan future content more effectively.

• Create groups such as “Product Keywords,” “Service Keywords,” “Informational Keywords,” etc.

7. Test and Refine

Keyword research isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Regularly check how your chosen keywords are performing and make adjustments as needed.

• Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor performance.

Summary

Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step towards improving your online presence through effective keyword research. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

1. Brainstorm Seed Keywords: Start with basic terms related to your business.
2. Use Free Tools: Utilise tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic.
3. Analyse Search Volume and Competition: Choose keywords with high search volume and low competition.
4. Consider Long-Tail Keywords: Focus on specific phrases that indicate user intent.
5. Check Out Your Competitors: See what’s working for others in your industry.
6. Organise Your Keywords: Group them into categories for easier planning.
7. Test and Refine: Regularly monitor performance and adjust as needed.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to attracting more visitors to your website through targeted SEO efforts. Stay tuned for our next guide where we’ll delve into how to use these keywords in your content strategy effectively.

Thank you for choosing SiteCrafter as your go-to resource for all things web design and online marketing!

For further assistance or bespoke advice tailored specifically for your business needs, feel free to contact us at Sitecrafter.