Part 2: Keyword Research For SEO Success
Introduction to Keyword Research
Are you curious about how people find your business online? Keyword research is the cornerstone of SEO, where we identify what phrases your potential customers use when they search on Google. This process helps you understand which keywords to rank for, aligning your site's content with your audience's queries.
Key Factors in Keyword Selection
Search Volume
Search volume tells you how many times a keyword is searched for monthly
Head Keywords
Extremely popular, with over 500,000 monthly searches. (e.g. "jobs", "walmart", "nike")
Medium Tail Keywords
Offer a balance between specificity and volume. (e.g. "nike running shoes", "dark leather purse")
Long Tail Keywords
More specific, lower volume, but collectively they're vital for capturing a broad audience. (e.g. "Sports stores near me", "Where to find dark brown shoes", "accountants in miami florida")
Keyword Difficulty
This metric shows how challenging it is to rank for a keyword. A high difficulty score means you'll need a strong, authoritative site with robust backlink profiles to compete.
Relevance
Your keywords must align with your business objectives. If you're in the pet industry, like Chewy.com, you'd target "dog food" rather than "iPhone cases."
Search Intent
Understanding why someone is searching is key:
Navigational: Looking for a specific site.
Informational: Seeking knowledge or answers.
Commercial: Comparing products or services before buying.
Transactional: Ready to make a purchase.
Informational keywords might not lead directly to sales but help in building trust and engaging with potential customers through content marketing.
