Importance of Keyword Research
In the online world, websites are in constant competition to be at the top of search results. Every business wants to be #1 on Google, and if they aren’t they’re doing everything possible to ensure visibility when people click search. A report by Borrell Associates revealed that SEO alone accounted for approximately 9.5% of the total digital marketing expenditure of US companies in 2019.
Keyword research is a crucial component in any SEO strategy. It's accuracy and intent are a driving force when it comes to having a competitive website. By effectively utilizing keyword research, websites can align their content with users' search queries, improving their chances of being discovered and attracting relevant traffic.
Understanding what is keyword research is, why it is important for SEO, and what the common methods of keyword research are will help boost your website for that coveted #1 spot in search results.
What is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the practice of discovering the specific words and phrases that people enter into search engines when they are seeking information, products, or services.
When someone looks for a product, service, or information on search engines like Google, they type in certain words or phrases, commonly called "keywords." These keywords help the search engine understand what the user is looking for and provide them with the most relevant results.
By knowing these words or keywords, you can incorporate them into your website or blog post. When someone searches for those words, your website has a better chance of showing up near the top of the search results.
Common methods of keyword research include:
Keyword Planner Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz to discover popular keywords, search volume, and competition levels.
Analyzing the keywords used by your competitors and using them in your own content.
Analyzing search trends to identify keywords that experience higher search volume during specific periods.
Observing Google's autocomplete suggestions and related search terms that appear at the bottom of the SERP.
Analyzing your website's analytics data to identify organic search keywords that are driving traffic to your site.
In addition, social media, customer surveys and feedback, niche-specific forums, and communities are also leveraged to identify relevant keywords that can be used to optimize the website's content.
Why is Keyword Research Important for SEO?
Imagine a user is trying to find a good place to eat pizza in his area. He goes to Google and types in "best pizza restaurants near me" in the search bar.
Google's complex algorithms match these keywords with the keywords used in its vast index of web pages. Then, it displays relevant and authoritative results on the SERP. The pages that contain similar or related keywords and provide valuable information are ranked higher in search results.
Benefits of Keyword Research
Identifying Your Audience’s Interests
Conducting keyword research enables you to discover the subjects and topics that your audience is interested in. Creating relevant content that aligns with their needs, helps drive more engagement to your website.
Improved search engine rankings
Smart keyword research helps find popular, relevant keywords with high search volume, low competition, and high conversion rates. Incorporating them into website content and meta tags improve search rankings.
Increased website traffic
As your website's search engine ranking improves due to effective keyword research, you'll receive increased traffic, leading to more potential leads and sales opportunities for your business.
Improve your content marketing strategy
By understanding the keywords that your audience is using, you can create content that is more likely to be shared on social media and other channels. This will help you to reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your website.
Keyword research is an ongoing process Klusster Media can do the keyword research for you and help develop a strong keyword and SEO strategy. With our data-driven approach, we can optimize your website for higher search engine rankings and attract relevant traffic, ensuring your online success.
Contact us to optimize your online visibility, improve rankings, and drive targeted traffic.