How to Find the Right SEO Keywords for Your Website
Do you need help attracting the right audience to your business website? One of the most important and effective ways to improve your website's visibility and drive targeted traffic is through strategic SEO keywords.
But if you’re an SEO newbie, you might wonder how to find keywords for your business. One of the biggest mistakes business owners make while optimizing their website is using keywords they “think” are right for their business. But finding the right keywords is key.
As an SEO expert of 11+ years, I always try to improve keyword research for my clients and my business. The truth is that no SEO tool will tell you exactly which keywords to use, how many times to use them, and where to put them in your copy. But if you’re doing SEO yourself, this blog will share some tips on how to find keywords for your content.
In this guide, I'll provide five essential tips for finding the perfect keywords for your business.
But first of all — what are keywords, and why are they important for SEO?
Keywords are essential for search engine optimization (SEO), connecting what your customers are searching for on Google and the content on your website. Essentially, keywords are the specific terms or phrases that people type into search engines when looking for research, answers to their questions, and products or services they’re shopping for.
By using relevant keywords into your website's content, metadata, and other core SEO elements, you increase the odds of your site appearing in search engine results pages (SERPs) for those queries. This is basically the difference between your website existing and looking pretty versus your target audience actually seeing your website in Google search results.
This visibility is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website and attracting potential customers actively seeking what you offer. Keywords are essential for SEO because they help search engines understand the relevance of your content to users' searches, ultimately improving your site's visibility, traffic, and potential for conversions.
Here’s how to find your SEO keywords:
List out your services and business descriptors
Finding the right keywords starts with understanding your business. Start by making a comprehensive list of your services and words that best describe your business. Think about the words and phrases your dream customers are using when searching for products or services like yours. Include variations and synonyms to capture a broader range of search queries.
Utilize free keyword research tools
Take advantage of the best free keyword research tools available online. SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic can provide valuable insights into search volume, competition, and related keywords. (You might have to create an account for them all, but there are free versions you can explore.) Experiment with different combinations and variations to identify high-potential keywords for your business.
Analyze your competitors
Analyzing your competitors' keywords can offer a glimpse into their SEO strategy and inspire opportunities for improvement. Look at the keywords they rank for and assess their relevance to your business. Tools like SEMrush and SpyFu can help you uncover competitor keywords and understand their search performance.
Create your keyword list
Once you've gathered sufficient data from your own research and competitor analysis, organize your keywords into a list. Segment them into core keywords representing your primary products or services and secondary keywords offering additional context or specificity. This structured approach will guide your content creation and optimization efforts.
Adjust keywords based on performance data
Keyword research isn't a one-time process. Since Google's algorythm is so intelligent and data changes its rhythm, keyword research takes review and refinement. Once you have a keyword list and you edit your website content to include your core keywords, you'll need to review your website performance page by page with tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. You can also get keyword data from Squarespace or other website platforms. You'll want to pay attention to rankings, traffic, and user engagement to identify which keywords should be optimized.
By following these five tips, you can effectively find and incorporate the best SEO keywords for your website. Remember, SEO is not a one-time task but an ongoing strategy that needs adjusting based on the data. With the right keywords, you can improve your website's visibility, attract qualified traffic, and drive business growth.
Not sure where to start with your keywords and website content strategy? Book an SEO coaching session with me! My 1:1 two-hour Website Strategy Session can help you understand exactly what your website needs to be optimized and get the results you're looking for.
