Precise SEO copywriting is essential for a website to rank high in Google search results. To create click-generating blog posts as cornerstone content on your website, you need to complete an important task: finding the best keywords. Depending on the subject matter, there may be some obvious keywords, but since the search engine algorithm is complex, this part of SEO optimisation can’t be done in a snap. Let’s dive into the first part of our series of articles on how to research the right keywords effectively!
“If no one is searching for what you’re writing about, you won’t get any traffic from Google search results, no matter how hard you try” – this is the first thing to remember when searching for the right keywords.
One of the secrets to SEO success is for copywriters to understand how potential customers think, and more specifically, how and what they are searching for. You don’t need to be a Google software engineer to do this – just learn a few tricks. That’s exactly why this series of articles is being created: to share knowledge and tricks that are easy for anyone to use.
Research shows that around 90% of websites do not get visitors from Google search. That’s understandable, of course, as most people find what they’re looking for on the first page(s) of results, so that’s where your website needs to be. This is why conducting keyword research beforehand is so important.
How Would You Search For Your Company?
Asking this question is the first step in the process. It’s the simplest way to identify the most important keywords. It’s important to note that this method is most effective if you know your market well. So, if you are working with an external copywriter, make sure to share any key insights and expertise they might not have.
Synonyms
It is important not to stop at the basic words. For example, it’s not enough to simply list “coffee”. Synonyms such as “espresso” and “cappuccino” should also be considered. A few minutes of thought and research – and there’s no shame in pulling out a dictionary – will help you find all the right keywords.
(So many keywords already? Which ones should I use? How do I filter them? – you may rightly ask. Don’t worry, we’ll cover prioritisation later in the series.)
What Are the Results for the Basic Keywords Now?
If you want to get on the first page of Google search results, it’s important to see which keywords your competitors are using. You don’t need to spy – just enter the keywords you’ve already compiled and take a look at the results on the first pages. This can also provide good ideas that you know for sure are effective.
Autocomplete
When typing in your most important keywords, also pay attention to the word combinations that appear in Google’s autocomplete suggestions.
For example, sticking with the word “coffee” might return results like these:
- coffee machine
- coffee near me
- coffee london
- coffee canary wharf
- coffee table
- coffee grinder
- coffee beans
- coffee shop near me
- coffee maker
These results provide valuable insights into the topics to include in your website’s blog, as they reflect the most popular keywords people are searching for.
If you’re interested in discovering the useful keyword tools we offer, be sure to read the next part of our article series!