May 14, 2024
Keyword research is the process of researching and analyzing the search terms and queries people put into search engines like Google and Bing. This research is often used in search engine optimization (SEO) to optimize organic rankings and to be more visible in search engines. That’s why keyword analysis forms the very bedrock of good rankings! But, you should keep in mind that there’s a lot involved in keyword analysis. If you are not performing your keyword research or performing it properly, you are missing out on potential sales and traffic.
With keyword research, you can analyze and determine search intent, search volume, and related terms and historical results from Google Search Console. By doing so, you need to observe search intent, search volume, and historical results from Google Search Console. Keyword analysis should be performed before putting any new SEO strategy into practice or placing new pages live. In addition, the keywords you choose have the potential to improve your organic rankings, and keyword focus.
What tools can you use for keyword research?
The SEO world is full of useful tools for all your SEO needs. However, not all tools are equal and some tools may vary in terms of quality and reliability. Our own research suggests that different tools don’t always produce identical search volume results for identical keywords.
Google Keyword Planner
Google keyword planner is a free tool that gives you insight into the keywords relevant to your business. The Google keyword planner offers insights into search volumes, the competition, and cost per click (CPC) and provides keyword suggestions based on the keyword entered, among other things. These insights are aimed at advertisers. The Google keyword planner is mainly used for SEA, but can also be used for SEO. To start working with this tool, it must be linked to the website by the webmaster.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a tool that you can also use for keyword research. Like the keyword planner, Google Search Console needs to be linked to your website. The disadvantage of Google Search Console is that it doesn’t retrieve data from the past. This means that Google Search Console is not very useful for new websites.
We recommend Google Search Console for existing websites with an established history. Based on the data provided by Google Search Console, you can improve your content strategy or link building strategy. This tool allows you to make comparisons over time periods. Think about the number of impressions, clicks, and click through rate (CTR). To read more about Google Search Console, check our blog post where we go into more detail.
Neil Patel
This is a third-party tool that you can temporarily use for free. So this is the perfect tool if you are on a tighter budget or if you don’t want to outsource your keyword research. After you’ve entered a keyword, it automatically gives you keyword suggestions. The tool also provides insight into Search Difficulty (SD). SD provides insight into the competition, the higher the number the more competition there is. So by evaluating the SD, you can get a better idea of if this keyword is right for you and your goals.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a third-party tool that simulates Google’s algorithm. Ahrefs offers a 14-day trial version for its users. Like the tools discussed above, for keywords, Ahrefs provides insight into search volumes per month, the difficulty of a keyword (competition), and related keywords. In addition Ahrefs also provides insight into the backlinks of SERP competitors.
Moz
Unlike other tools, Moz isn’t for finding the right keywords to use for your business, but to scrutinize the competition for a keyword. The previous tools all outline how much competition there should be around different keywords by assigning a score between 0-100.
Here at Seeders, when we conduct competitor analysis for a client, we look primarily at a website’s content and authority, or past link building. We do this on a page-specific level, looking at Domain Authority (DA), Page Authority (PA) and the number of inbound domains at the page level of the competitor and the domain for which we perform the SEO scan.
What should you pay attention to when doing keyword research?
There are a number of factors to consider when doing keyword research. We will cover these factors in the following paragraphs.
Search Intent
Oftentimes, a company boasts a great website. Their content is great, and the UX is fully optimized, but the site doesn’t generate enough conversions. Why? Because it doesn’t generate enough traffic! Most landing pages have a conversion rate of about 2,5%. Therefore, a steady stream of organic traffic is essential to their success. That’s where we come in! With advanced international backlink strategies, Seeders is able to generate long-term, sustainable traffic growth for your website. It’s pretty simple, really: higher online authority leads to more traffic, which leads to more conversions and revenue
This refers to the intention that the searcher has for a particular search query and is essential to include in your research because it shows you what your target audience is interested in learning or looking to purchase.
A keyword such as “what is keyword research” is an informational keyword. The searcher is not expressing an immediate desire to purchase a product or service. In the case of an informational keyword, all searches contain one of the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, and how) and have informational search intent. This means the searcher is in the orientation phase. A buying keyword means that the searcher has already absorbed the information and is ready to purchase.
The keywords “outsource SEO” or “outsource keyword analysis” both have a buying intent. This means the searcher is looking for an organization to do keyword research. It is important to consider the search intent of the searcher and your target audience.
Length of keywords
Long-tail keywords are searches with two or more words. Short-tail words are searches that contain one word. As a home furnishing company, you obviously want to be at the top of Google with the keyword “home furnishing” (short-tail, that is). As a small SME, this is often not feasible.
Therefore, as a small party, do not focus on so-called short-tail keywords. The competition is often fierce, and you are often up against the largest and more established businesses in the industry. In addition, short-tail words have the disadvantage that the search intent is not completely clear. A searcher who enters the keyword “interior design” may be looking for inspiration for interior design, but may also have the intention to hire a company to do the interior design for the searcher.
The length of the keyword often also relates to the intent of the search. The longer the search query, the more it says something about the intent of the keyword.
SEO Specialist
Tiemen de Jonge is a seasoned SEO Specialist at Seeders Zwolle. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for optimizing online presence, Tiemen helps clients improve their search engine rankings and drive organic traffic to their websites. With years of experience in the digital marketing industry, Tiemen is dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest SEO trends and techniques to deliver top-notch results for Seeders' clients.
