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Search engine optimization is a multi-faceted marketing process that leverages the power of search engines in combination with search phrases chosen by users. In fact, nearly 90% of purchases start with a search engine. The SEO journey begins with that first search phrase.
After generating phrases, also known as keywords, you have to populate your web pages, blog posts, alt text, title tags, and PPC ads with targeted search phrases. This SEO stage requires a lot of work. However, the last thing you want is to waste your content on the wrong keywords.
What’s the takeaway here? Keyword research is essential. So check out this guide to learn the secret sauce behind finding the best phrases.
Keyword Research for Beginners
Keyword research is an intuitive process. You’re looking into search phrases that your target customer would use to discover your business online. Keyword research tools speed up the process, which is useful for large SEO projects.
There are different ways to approach keyword research. However, the end goal is the same. Ideally, you want a substantial list of relevant keywords with low competition and good search volume.
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Content Analysis
A quick way to generate the best search phrases is to perform content analysis. For this method, you’ll need to find an SEO tool that analyzes URL’s.
For example, assume you’re a florist who wants to sell flowers online. Jot down a list of relevant phrases customers would use to buy flowers online. Then ask yourself what you would type into a search engine.
Next, search for one of the search phrases on your list. Grab the top web page result. Use your SEO tool of choice to analyze the page.
Your content analysis should bring up a list of organic search results with accompanying search volume. Then, if your SEO tool has a keyword difficulty metric, you can use that to weed out high-competition keywords.
Also, you can analyze your competition to see which search phrases they’re ranking for in search engines. Additionally, for more complex keyword analysis, learn from industry experts who have a deeper understanding about SEO.
How to Use PPC to Find the Best Search Phrases
Another popular keyword research method is PPC, which stands for pay-per-click. Google Adwords, Bing Ads, and Facebook advertising are the most recognizable examples of PPC.
For this method, you’re going to use Google Adwords’ research tool called Keyword Planner. This free SEO tool comes with every Adwords account. You can use it to research keywords for both website and PPC optimization projects.
Like other SEO tools, Keyword Planner provides data for each of the search phrases you look up. You can see keyword competition difficulty, approximate monthly searches, and bid information.
What makes Keyword Planner unique is that it can generate long lists of related keywords in seconds. All you have to do is type in your primary search phrase—and voila! Then add these search phrases to your Adwords campaign to see a sorted list of keywords with data.
Do Your Research
Optimizing a website or SEO campaign without keyword research is a recipe for ranking disaster. Therefore, remember these methods as you generate the best search phrases for your business.
Search engine optimization is just one piece of the business machine. SEO works best when all departments are performing at their best. So keep your well-oiled machine going with the latest business tips and trends.
