In this guide, I will walk you through the process of conducting effective SEO keyword research. You'll learn to build a keyword database correctly, ensuring you target keywords that are a good fit for your business and not overly competitive, which could drain your resources.
Introduction to Keyword Research
Keyword research is a fundamental skill for SEO success. It helps you understand which terms are being searched for in your niche, allowing you to optimize your content accordingly. Without proper keyword research, you risk targeting irrelevant or highly competitive keywords that won't yield returns.
Tools and Resources
For keyword research, tools like SEMrush or Google Search Console are indispensable. These tools allow you to view your current keyword profile and track rankings over time. They provide a wealth of data that can be exported and added to your keyword research database.
Building Your Keyword Database
Start by exporting your current keyword profile from SEMrush or Google Search Console. Organize these keywords in a spreadsheet and categorize them based on their current ranking positions. Keywords ranking from position 2 to 15 are considered 'low hanging fruit' and should be your top priority.
Prioritizing Keywords
After identifying your 'low hanging fruit', the next step is to categorize keywords that are ranking from positions 16 to 50 as 'existing keywords'. These are important but not as crucial as your top-ranking terms. Keywords from positions 51 to 100 should be tagged as 'clustering opportunities' to enhance your content strategy.
Filtering and Fine-Tuning
With potentially thousands of keywords, it's essential to narrow down your list. Start by removing navigational keywords, as they are generally less valuable for targeting unless they relate directly to your brand. Then, filter keywords by difficulty and focus on those that offer the most accessible opportunities first.
Understanding Keyword Intent
Keyword intent is crucial in determining how likely a user is to convert. Classify keywords by intent into informational, navigational, and transactional. Prioritize transactional keywords as they are closest to a purchase decision, followed by commercial and informational.
Using Keyword Points System
Implement a points system to prioritize keywords further. Assign higher points to keywords with commercial or transactional intent and lower points to informational keywords. This system helps you focus on keywords that are more likely to drive conversions.
Finding New Keywords
Explore new keyword opportunities by using tools to perform a 'keyword gap' analysis between your site and competitors. This can reveal untapped keywords that your competitors rank for but your site does not.
Advanced Techniques
For more advanced users, consider diving into user-generated content platforms like Reddit or TikTok to identify emerging trends and keywords. These platforms can provide insights into what potential customers are discussing in real time, offering a goldmine for keyword discovery.
Effective keyword research is about more than just finding keywords; it's about finding the right keywords that align with your business goals and audience needs. By systematically analyzing and prioritizing keywords based on relevancy, intent, and competition, you can strategically enhance your SEO efforts and improve your overall online presence.
Remember, the goal of keyword research is to not only attract traffic but to attract the right kind of traffic that will lead to higher engagement and conversions. Good luck!