Once you have a business website, your work is not done. Now is the time to maximize the site by implementing relevant keywords so that you can attract more customers. While it may be difficult at first, keyword research is actually a simple process. Start by researching potential keywords for your business. Next, you will be able to determine effective keywords. Lastly, keep those keywords and operate the site successfully.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Studying Keywords
Step 1. Write down words or phrases that describe your company
Now you don't need to create keywords just yet, just generic terms that cover your company and/or products on a basic level. Think as broadly as possible when determining what a company represents. You can always delete the inappropriate words later.
-
Ask questions like these to yourself, employees and/or clients:
- What is the company's vision and mission?
- What services does the company provide?
- Who is the company's client base?
- How do clients take advantage of your company?
- What companies are most similar to yours?
- For example, if you specialize in marketing, you could use a few phrases from different marketing subcategories.
- Enter some keywords that are your company's services. For example, the terms of the service you want to provide or the need you want to fulfill.
Step 2. Create a list of customer requirements
By knowing what visitors expect when they visit your site, you can create keywords that match what potential customers are looking for.
You can also choose a potential search (such as "how to photograph") to empathize with the customer
Step 3. Add a list of potential keywords under each common term or phrase
Again, at this stage you don't need to be too precise. The main goal is to write as many words as possible on paper.
- If you're having trouble getting started, write down the name of each top product, along with a description (for example, "silver iPad Pro"). You can also use a thesaurus to identify related words.
- Thinking about interactions with customers or clients will help you find common search words.
- Don't forget to include the plural and singular versions of your keywords so that clients are more likely to find you.
Step 4. List some secondary keywords in a separate list
These secondary keywords are words or phrases that are not directly related to your product or field, but are derivative products or subsequent searches.
- Sites like https://soovle.com/, https://trends.google.com/trends/, and https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/ can generate potential keywords related to the main keyword.
- These keywords are often called niche topics. That is, the word modifies topics that are outside the focus of your field, but are still in the same category.
- For example, a keyword focused on "sports shoes" has clear associations with "running" or "rock climbing," and a less related phrase is "keeping fit."
Step 5. Check competitors' keywords
Chances are, if there are competitors in your field, they've already done keyword research. While you must have specific keywords, use the same general keywords and several niche topics as competitors to speed up the process.
- Competitor keywords can be accessed with paid applications such as KeywordSpy or SpyFu, as well as using free sites such as
- Another option for finding competitors' keywords is to look for them in the reviews they receive.
- You can also do a reverse-engineering technique by looking at keywords that are not yet used by competitors and then implementing them.
Part 2 of 3: Determining Effective Keywords
Step 1. Remove irrelevant keywords
This includes keywords that are too difficult or sophisticated for your customer base, keywords that don't really fit your company or product, and keywords that you already use.
Step 2. Cross out keywords with high cost-per-click
If your marketing budget is not big, don't start with the most expensive keywords.
You can see a keyword's cost-per-click (CPC) by typing it on a site like https://serps.com/tools/keyword-research/ and viewing the results
Step 3. Look for competitor keywords that you don't use
When you look at your competitors' keywords, you'll see some that you haven't used. However, using high-ranking keywords that your competitors don't use will benefit you.
Step 4. Enter the remaining keywords into the analytical tool
Again, using a site like https://serps.com/tools/keyword-research/ for this step will make the process easier although you can set up ads through Google to use AdWords Keyword Planner
This step helps you trim keywords that don't meet return on investment (ROI) standards
Step 5. Evaluate the final keywords
One thing to keep in mind during this process is that there is a difference between organic keyword algorithm interpretation and human interpretation. If you see keywords that don't match, consider removing them.
At this stage, you can also ask employees, marketing experts, or customers what they think about your list. The more input, the better
Step 6. Implement keywords
The final test to determine if a keyword is relevant, broad, and/or applicable is to use it directly.
Pay attention to site analysis during testing. If web traffic is increasing sharply, it means that your keywords are doing well
Part 3 of 3: Maintaining Keywords
Step 1. Update keywords to match customer base
Do it every three months to make sure the keywords are still relevant.
You may also find that keywords that previously didn't work well are now bringing in lots of visitors
Step 2. Consider customer feedback
By studying the latest reports on customer interest, general searches, and most frequently purchased items, you can know which keywords to prioritize.
Even more special, by looking at the customer's favorite items, you can choose priority keywords
Step 3. Increase the maximum CPC budget
As web traffic increases, you may need to use keywords with higher CPCs. If so, maybe you should experiment with some of the previously crossed out high CPC keywords.
Initially, you should keep an eye on the performance of these keywords because there is a risk of not being able to achieve a favorable ROI
Step 4. Find your own main keyword
Google updates frequently. This means that the keywords that previously placed your site at the top of the search page are now populated by other information boxes or articles.
