Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Admin
Keyword research might not seem exciting, but it’s essential for improving your website’s visibility. Think of this checklist as your helpful guide to finding great keywords that attract search engines. With this guide, your website will really stand out online. So, get ready to boost your SEO efforts.
Checklist to Guide Your Keyword Research Process
Here’s a comprehensive checklist to streamline your process and ensure you capture the most effective keywords.
Know your audience
Before jumping into keyword research, it’s key to really know who you’re talking to. What do they need? What do they care about? Simple chats, surveys, or even a peek at their social media can tell you a lot.
This way, when they search for products or services like yours, you’ll know the terms they’re using and why. It’s all about making sure your keywords feel right at home with your audience. Doesn’t that make sense?
Brainstorm seed keywords
Next, you need to search for seed keywords. These are basic terms related to your brand, product, service, or area of expertise.
Seed keywords are your foundation. They kick off the process of expanding your keyword list. Begin by thinking about the solutions you provide and the search terms potential customers might use to find businesses like yours.
For instance, if you run a bakery, some of your seed keywords might be:
- baked goods
- cake recipes
- best pastries
- custom cakes
- bakery near me
Find long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are precise search phrases that usually don’t get a lot of searches but face minimal competition. They are easier to rank for, helping you build your site’s authority around specific topics. This authority is crucial when you want to compete for broader, more searched terms later.
Using specific keywords can really pinpoint your audience. Take for instance, a comprehensive term such as “coffee” could attract a large audience, however a more specific term such as “dark roast Colombian coffee beans” will not have as many searches although it may bring in more individuals that are very close to purchasing.
Thus, you will have a higher chance of reaching those customers who want your products.
Check search intent
Search intent refers to the reason why someone uses a search engine. Understanding this intent is key to keyword research because it helps you tailor content that’s more likely to show up in search results.
Here are the four main types of search intent:
- Informational: Users are searching for information. Examples include “how to start a blog” or “what is keyword research.” These searches show that the user is looking to learn something.
- Navigational: Users are trying to get to a specific website or page. For example, searches like “Facebook login” or ‘’Snapchat login’’ indicate the user knows where they want to go.
- Commercial: Users are exploring products or services before they buy. Searches such as “best email marketing tools” or “CRM software” suggest the user is considering a purchase.
- Transactional: Users are ready to buy or perform a specific action. For example, “buy Youtube Premium subscription” or “download Grammarly” shows the user’s intent to make a purchase or complete a task.
Get keyword ideas
Next, take a look at the keywords your competitors are ranking for. If certain terms are working well for them, those same keywords could be beneficial for your site. By researching your competitors’ keywords, you can discover openings—terms they rank for that you don’t. Spotting these opportunities can lead you to adjust your SEO strategy to capture these valuable keywords.
Check the volume and difficulty of keywords
Once you have chosen your main keyword and its related ones, the following step is investigating how often such keywords are searched and how difficult it is to rank for them. This activity is important in keyword research as you will be able to decide which keywords will attract a greater number of visitors. This will, in turn, increase conversions.
A tool such as Google Keyword Planner can be really useful as it can determine the search volume for any given keyword. Try to search for commonly searched keyword phrases that are not too difficult, as many people would be interested in them.
This helps you focus on the most useful keywords for your business. Checking the competition level for each keyword also helps you understand how challenging it might be to rank well for them.
Once you know which keywords are best, you can tweak your content to target these keywords better and start improving your SEO results.
Prioritize your keywords
When choosing which keywords to focus on, consider how they can help you reach your business goals. Start by organizing your keywords based on the buying stage they represent:
- Top-of-the-funnel (ToFu) keywords: These are broad and have high search volumes. They’re used by people just starting to look for information. Examples include “what is seo” or “how to start a blog.” These keywords are great for getting new people to notice your brand.
- Middle-of-the-funnel (MoFu) keywords: These keywords are more specific and have moderate search volumes. They’re used by people who are comparing options. Examples include “best seo tools” or “blogging platforms compared.” Use these to keep potential customers interested and show them what sets you apart.
- Bottom-of-the-funnel (BoFu) keywords: These have lower search volumes but are used by people ready to buy. Examples include “seo tool free trial” or “seo tool pricing.” These keywords are crucial because they’re most likely to lead to sales.
Start with BoFu keywords because they’re directly related to sales. Then, use MoFu keywords to educate potential buyers about your offerings. Lastly, use ToFu keywords to make more people aware of your brand.
This approach helps you attract, engage, and convert customers at every stage of their buying journey, starting with those most ready to purchase.
Wrapping Up!
So, that’s how you can pull off a thorough keyword research using the steps we talked about. Keywords are crucial if you want your website to climb up the search engine rankings. But remember, having a solid keyword strategy is key. If you’re looking for a bit of expert help, companies like AlgoSaga are great at this. Their team can help you craft a top-notch SEO service with keyword strategy that boosts your site’s organic traffic.