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 keywords that are obvious, but since the search engine algorithm is complex, this part of SEO optimisation can’t be done in a snap. Let’s dive into our series of articles on how to research the right keywords effectively! After the first, here’s the second part!
Keyword Research Tools
After covering the traditional methods, we’ll dig a little deeper – because effective keyword research involves more than just jotting down a dozen keywords. In an increasingly competitive environment, you need to build an SEO strategy that covers a wide range of terms. This means identifying keywords that your competitors are not targeting or not targeting as effectively.
To do this, you’ll need to use keyword research tools. Google is a valuable resource here, with its free services like Google Keyword Planner and Google Trends, which provide a solid starting point for research. Other free tools, such as WordStream and Keyword Tool Free, can also be helpful.
When taking the next step and paying for search results, there are plenty of options. The following services stand out from the crowd:
- Keyword Tool Pro
- Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
- KW Finder
- Moz
These are all popular tools, with the first two leading the pack, as Keyword Tool Pro and Ahrefs Keywords Explorer have significantly larger databases compared to their competitors.
However, this doesn’t mean you have to choose between just these two. Each service offers different packages and features, so the right choice will depend on your specific needs. And of course, budget plays a role too. While the most advanced packages can be quite expensive, smaller companies can often afford the basic packages.
Study Your Area of Expertise (Niche Research)
The smaller and the more clearly defined a company’s specialisation, the more important it is to conduct niche research – in other words, to thoroughly study your specific area of expertise. This goes beyond simply typing a few keywords into an online tool and skimming through the suggested keyword ideas.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are a few basic methods for where and how to conduct your research to help you understand what we mean:
- Follow Facebook groups (If there isn’t already a group for your topic, consider creating one to keep this valuable source in your own hands)
- Browsing internet forums
- Reading question-and-answer websites
- Asking for personal opinions
- Review customer service messages
- Start a poll on social media
- Examine your competitors’ online platforms
- Request customer feedback
- Seek expert opinions
- Tracking micro-influencers
If you’re interested in learning how to find the best keywords, be sure to read the next part of our article series!