As content marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) become increasingly important for businesses of all sizes, understanding how to find the right keywords and how to use them is critical. Keywords are words or phrases used by people searching for information online.
By understanding which keywords people are using in their searches, businesses can create content optimized for those terms. This content can then be used to increase the visibility of a business’s website, product pages, and overall online presence.
If you’re wondering how to find keywords for your business, this guide is designed to help. By the time you reach the end, you’ll have all the information you need to get started crafting a robust keyword strategy that helps you reach your desired audience.
Different Types of Keywords
An essential first step in finding keywords for SEO is understanding the different types of keywords available. Below are some of the most common types of keywords to consider when finding keywords for SEO.
Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are long search phrases, usually four words or more. These keywords are great for finding specific niche audiences and have the potential to be much less competitive than short-tail keywords. Examples of long-tail keywords include “organic dog food delivery,” “the best running shoes for flat feet,” or “affordable online marketing services.”
Short-Tail Keywords
Short-tail keywords are shorter search phrases, usually two words. These keywords tend to be more competitive than long-tail ones since they typically cover a broader range of topics and can attract more organic traffic. Some examples of these types of keywords include “dog food,” “running shoes,” and “marketing services.”
Mid-Tail Keywords
Mid-tail keywords are somewhere in between long- and short-tail keywords, typically three to four words. They often target an audience that is looking for a product or service with more specificity than short-tail keywords but still not as specific as long-tail keywords. Examples include “dog food delivery,” “new running shoes,” and “online marketing services.”
Geotargeted or Locational Keywords
Geotargeted keywords are used to target a specific geographic area. These keywords can be used to find local customers who are interested in finding products or services in their area. Some geotargeted keyword examples include “dog food delivery in Seattle,” “running shoe store in Los Angeles,” and “affordable online marketing services in Houston.”
Customer-Defining Keywords
Customer-defining keywords help to target a specific audience or demographic. The key to finding the right customer-defining keywords is to think about who your ideal customer is and what kind of language they would use when searching for your product or service. Examples include “running shoes for women” and “affordable digital marketing services for small businesses.”
Informational Keywords
Informational keywords target users who are looking for information or answers to questions they have. These keywords help you to bring in more organic traffic through content-based strategies, such as blog posts and articles. Examples of informational keywords include “how to feed a dog,” “benefits of running shoes,” and “what is SEO?”.
How and Where To Find Keywords
Finding keywords that will help your content reach its target audience can be tricky. However, there are several techniques you can use to uncover the right keywords for your business. Here are three of them:
- Turn to Google’s Autocomplete: Google’s Autocomplete feature is a great place to start when looking for keywords. Simply type in a few words related to your topic and take note of Google’s suggestions. These are typically the most popular search terms people use when trying to find content related to what you’re discussing.
- Look at your competition: Your competitors can also be a great source of keyword opportunities. Don’t be afraid to peek at their websites and see what keywords they’re targeting in their content. While you don’t want to copy their strategy, it can give you an idea of the search terms people are using.
- Use a keyword research tool: Keyword research tools — like Google’s Keyword Planner — help you uncover phrases related to your topic. Additionally, they can tell you how competitive specific search terms are, meaning how difficult it will be to rank for them on search engine result pages (SERPs). With the help of a keyword research tool, you can quickly identify what keywords are worth pursuing and which ones you should avoid.
Tips for Finding and Using the Right Keywords for Your Business
Getting the most out of your keyword research requires some strategic planning. When it comes to finding and using the right keywords, there are a few key steps you can take.
Decide on Your Goals
Determine what type of keywords you should be targeting for your business. Are you looking to drive more traffic, increase sales or improve brand awareness? This will help guide your research and determine which words are best for achieving your desired outcome.
Use Low-Competition Keywords
Longer, more specific keywords often have less competition than shorter, single-word keywords commonly used by larger businesses. They ensure you have a better chance of ranking higher in search results.
Know Your Target Audience
Research what your target audience is searching for and what type of information they’d like to see or read when they visit your website. Use this to help inform your keyword research and create content that answers their questions.
Track Your Keywords
Start a spreadsheet or list of the keywords you’re targeting with each piece of content you publish, then track how they perform over time. This will give you an idea of which words resonate best with searchers so that you can adjust your strategy accordingly.
Use Your Keywords Strategically
Once you have your list of keywords, use them to create high-quality content that adds value for visitors and helps establish your website as an industry authority. Incorporate these words into titles, headings, body copy, meta descriptions, and image alt text to increase your chances of ranking higher on SERPs.
Get Professional Help
If you’re struggling to come up with the right keywords or don’t know how to use them effectively, consider partnering with a professional SEO consultant who can help you identify the best terms for your business and guide you through the process of optimizing your content and website.
Take Your Keyword Strategy to the Next Level
Understanding the different types of keywords available and finding the right ones for your SEO campaign is essential to driving more traffic to your website and improving its visibility. The good news is that with some research and planning, you can easily identify the keywords that will be most effective for your business.
And with a bit of help from professional SEO consultants, you can ensure your website is well-optimized for search engines and that you’re reaching the right people.