There is nothing like guesswork when it comes to search engine optimization. You must purpose to do it well by taking the time to learn and apply the best practices. One such way is through keyword research, which may initially seem daunting. However, with time, you become an expert and can start to see your SEO take off. Let’s go into the topic in a little more detail below.
Keyword research tips
Keyword research for 2020 requires that you find and analyze the search terms people will use on the search engines. It will help you form your content strategy for greater success. Here are the things you need to do.
Generate a list of topics relevant to your business
Having a list of topics that are relevant to your business will allow you to determine the keywords you may use. Think about your customers while coming up with the list. Since you already have an understanding of your target market and niche, it should be easy for you to do. Use Google AdWords to show you how many times people use particular terms when on the search engine. It will give you monthly search volume feedback.
Look at related search terms
You have a list of topics and keywords. Now see which other ones are related. You can, for example, use Google, type in a particular keyword, and see what other similar words come up. If, for example, you type in cat breeds, Google will suggest additional related terms. Such could include furry cat breeds, cats for sale, best cat breeds, among others.
Come up with long tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are phrases and typically contain two to three words. You need the right mix of long and short tail keywords for a more effective strategy. Ideally, people will not type one keyword when on the search engines. Anticipate the phrases they could use, thus making it more likely that they will land on your website.
Look at how your competitors are ranking for keywords
Never ignore what your competitors are, but do not blindly copy. See how they are ranking the keywords so that you can improve upon it. To know what your competitors are doing, manually search for keywords and see what positions your competitors have. Use tools such as Semrush for a free report. You get to see the top keywords for whichever domain you enter.
Generate content with the right keywords
You must pay attention to your on-page SEO. It will allow you to take the research and use it to churn out content that is relevant to your audiences. It requires that you have the proper keyword, focus on the formatting of your pages, and update Meta tags, among others. You must also ensure that your page titles have a specific keyword to make it more likely that the search engines pick you. Use Google to give you an idea of the top titles and craft yours accordingly.
Final thoughts
Follow our steps above, and you will find the process of keyword research more manageable. Most importantly, continue to check for keywords to make your content more relevant and visible to the search engines.
