Tips for effective keyword research
Keyword research is an essential part of both search engine optimization (SEO) and getting your content to show up in AI search results. You need to use keywords that connect with your audience, and the first step is often simply brainstorming. You need to consider all potential relevant keywords for your niche industry, whether you are selling products, providing services or anything else.
But this process is just the very beginning. Here at Content Customs, we can help you take your keyword research to the next level. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you get this process started.
Long-tail keywords may be more effective
First of all, long-tail keywords are more specific. If you own a company that produces guitars, for example, there is going to be less competition for a keyword like “six-string electric guitars” than there will be simply for the word “guitars” itself.
Not only do you reduce the competition by using longer keywords, but you also give your audience the information they are really looking for. Someone seeking to buy a guitar likely already has an idea of the type that they want, and they are looking for specifics, not just generic content about guitars in general. This increases the odds that someone who clicks on your link will then stay on that page.
Plus, most people who actually want to buy a guitar aren’t searching for a term like “guitars” because it’s just too simplistic. So the longer keywords get you the traffic you really want.
Asking questions can also help
Similarly, you may want to consider keyword-based questions. To stick with the example above, it could be something like “What is the best beginner guitar?”
Again, you are delving into specifics, and you are also taking advantage of the fact that people are now more likely to search for questions than they were in the past. Part of the reason for this is voice search. People are not typing every word into a keyboard on their desktop, but are instead running a quick voice search on their phone, so they are more likely to ask questions related to the results they want.
You have to consider the competition level
When we run a keyword research report for you, one piece of information that you will get is the competition level for your various selected keywords.
This is very important because every company, in every industry, has a website. The amount of competition for generic keywords is immense, and it can be very hard to rank.
However, you can often increase your ranking by getting more specific or adding geographic terms to target a local audience. Even if there are not as many searches every month for these more specific terms, if your site ranks much higher due to lower competition, this can still be a more effective keyword strategy.
Consider your audience’s intent
Finally, you really need to think carefully about your target audience. What is the intent behind their search?
For instance, some users are specifically searching for a product or service that they can buy right away. Others are just doing research, so they are seeking comprehensive information and comparisons. Some of your users may be ready to make a purchase now, while others are just in the beginning stages and are seeking important information – but are not likely to buy that day.
With any business, considering the target audience is a critical part of establishing a marketing strategy. The same is true with internet marketing, so keep it in mind when determining what keywords will be most relevant.
Contact us today to get started
These are just a few things to consider when doing keyword research. The internet is always changing and things get more complex by the day, so it can help to work with the experienced team at Content Customs. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us to learn more about our services and how we can help your business grow.
