Unlock the Secret to Skyrocketing Your Website’s Traffic: Keyword Research to Level-up Your Small Business

Watch the accompanying video on the Sam@Thencan YouTube Channel

Keyword research is a crucial part of website design, but it’s not always easy. If you’re just starting out, you may be wondering where to even begin. Well, don’t worry! At Thencan Designs, I offer an SEO Boost package that can help your site climb to Google’s first page. In this article, I’ll go over the basics of keyword research that I’ve picked up along the way. Then you’ll know how to get started finding the right keywords for your website.

Before we get started, I have to mention that finding the right keywords can be a challenge. It takes time and effort to find keywords that are relevant, have enough search volume, and are not too competitive. But, the payoff is well worth it. Keywords can help drive traffic to your website and increase your chances of being found by potential customers. So, let’s dive in!

Finding Keywords for Free

The million dollar questions: Do I need to pay for this? Do you need to pay for a keyword search tool or are there are any free options available? The good news is, there are a number of free keyword search tools available that can help you get started.

Some popular free keyword search tools include Google AdWords Keyword Planner, Keywords Everywhere, and Ubersuggest. Each of these tools has its own strengths and weaknesses. You must compare them and find the one that works best for you. For example, Google AdWords Keyword Planner is great for finding keywords with high search volume. On the other hand, Ubersuggest is good for finding long-tail keywords.

So, how do you use these tools to find keywords? The process is pretty straightforward. Simply enter a seed keyword related to your business and the tool will generate a list of related keywords. You can then evaluate each keyword for its relevance, search volume, and competition to determine which ones are worth targeting. We’ll go into more detail on this later in the article.

Paid Keyword Search Tools

Free keyword search tools are a great starting point. However, they may not always provide you with all the data and insights you need. This is where paid keyword search tools come in.

Some popular paid keyword search tools include Semrush, Ahrefs, and Moz Pro. Each of these tools offer a range of features, from keyword research and analysis to competitor analysis and backlink tracking. Of course, with more advanced features comes a higher price tag. So, it’s important to weigh the cost against the benefits and determine if a paid keyword search tool is right for you.

The key to using paid keyword search tools effectively is to have a clear understanding of your goals and what data you need to achieve those goals. For example, if you’re looking to find keywords with high search volume and low competition, then a tool like Semrush might be your best option. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in competitor analysis and backlink tracking, then Ahrefs or Moz Pro might be a better fit.

Google Keyword Search

As one of the largest search engines in the world, Google offers a wealth of data on keywords and search trends. In fact, many keyword search tools draw their data from Google, making it an important resource for anyone doing keyword research.

To use Google for keyword research, simply start typing in relevant keywords into the Google search bar. Google will automatically suggest related keywords as you type, which can be a great starting point for your research. Additionally, you can use Google Trends (which you can also see in the Keyword Planner) to see the popularity of specific keywords over time and compare the search volume of multiple keywords.

The benefits of using Google for keyword research are numerous, but there are also some drawbacks to consider. For example, Google’s data is based on estimated search volume, which may not always be accurate. Additionally, Google’s keyword suggestions and search results can be influenced by factors like your location and search history, which can limit the accuracy of the data.

How to Evaluate Keywords

When you have a list of potential keywords, it’s important to evaluate them to see which ones are the best fit for your website. There are a few key metrics to consider, including:

1. Relevance: Does the keyword accurately describe your website’s content and products/services?
2. Search volume: How many people are searching for this keyword each month?
3. Competition: How many other websites are competing for this keyword?

There are various tools you can use to evaluate keywords, including Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Semrush. These tools will give you an idea of the search volume, competition, and estimated cost per click (CPC) for each keyword. You can then use this information to determine which keywords are worth pursuing. Potentially more importantly, it will determine which ones aren’t a good fit for your website.

When evaluating keywords, it’s important to strike a balance between relevance, search volume, and competition. A keyword with high search volume but high competition may be difficult to rank for. While a keyword with low search volume and low competition may not bring enough traffic to your website to be worth the effort. The key is to find keywords that are relevant to your website, have a decent amount of search volume, and have relatively low competition.

Types of Keywords

Keywords can be divided into four main categories:

1. Short-tail keywords: These are general keywords with a high search volume and high competition, such as “web design” or “small business.”
2. Long-tail keywords: These are more specific keywords with a lower search volume and lower competition, such as “best web design for small business” or “affordable web design services.”
3. Latent semantic keywords (LSI keywords): These are related keywords that can help search engines understand the context of your content, such as “web design company” or “website builder.”
4. Local keywords: These are keywords that include a location, such as “web design in New York” or “small business web design in Los Angeles.”

When choosing keywords for your website, it’s important to use a mix of keyword types. You need short-tail, long-tail, LSI, and local keywords to ensure your content is optimized for both search engines and users.

Conclusion

I hope you learned a lot today. Keyword research is an essential aspect of creating a successful website for your small business. While it may seem daunting, with the right tools and techniques, you can find the keywords that will help drive traffic and increase visibility for your brand. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different keywords and tools to see what works best for you. Remember that finding the right keywords is a continuous process that may require adjusting over time. The key to winning the SEO game is intentionality over time. Do not fall for the traps of gimmicky or black hat SEO. By taking the time to properly research and choose your keywords, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the long run. And if you want to focus on your small business instead of SEO, feel free to check out the SEO options offered at Thencan Designs today!