How to Choose the Right Keywords Without Over thinking It

We recommend asking yourself some common questions to understand your audience better. These questions can include:

• What problem do I need to solve?
• What questions do my clients ask me the most?
• How would a person describe my services or products in their words?

Write down the phrases that come to mind, using them as your foundation.

Choose Simple Tools

There are a number of free keyword tools available online. With your keyword ideas, you can validate them by using these free tools. The good news is you do not have to invest in expensive software.

Free and simple keyword tools include:

• Google Search – type your keyword and look at the auto complete suggestions, these are the searches people are performing
• People Also Ask boxes – they are related questions users are asking, making them ideal for content ideas
• Google Keyword Planner – show approximate search volumes and competition

Do not strive for perfection. Focus on keywords that have a decent number of searches with low to medium competition. This makes it easier to rank for in relevant searches.

Focus on Intent Not Search Volume

It's understandable, you are going to look at the keywords with the highest search volume. But, a keyword with thousands of searches can still bring the wrong visitors to your site. Focus on search intent, the reason behind your audiences search.

There are three types of search intent you need to understand:

1. Informational – Your users wants to learn something
2. Transactional – Your user is ready to make a purchase
3. Navigational – Your users is searching for a specific website or product 

When focusing on attracting new customers, you will want to pay your attention to transactional keywords.

Think in Topics, Not Only in Keywords

Google's algorithms have evolved, becoming smarter. Today's the algorithm understands context and related phrases, rather than relying on exact-match keywords alone. As a result, we recommend thinking in topics, rather than obsessing over one single keyword.

An example would be, if your keyword is “teeth whitening,” some related terms may be “the benefits of teeth whitening,” or “how does teeth whitening work,” focusing on these topic ideas can strengthen your content, enabling you to rank for numerous variations. This makes your content valuable, resonating with your audience.

Know the 70/30 Rule

An easy solution is to use approximately seventy percent easy to rank long-tail keywords and thirty percent of broader, more competitive keywords. Long-tail keywords comprise of three or more words, such as “the best treatment for stained teeth,” It encourages targeted visitors who are closer to taking action.

Test and Adjust

SEO is a long-term commitment that requires consistency and dedication. If your keyword selection isn't perfect, you can adjust later. We recommend publishing your high quality, valuable, and unique content and then monitor its performance, identifying what drives website traffic.

Google Search Console is an easy way to monitor your keyword performance, helping you identify what keywords your audience are using to find you. You may notice unexpected words that are performing well, which provides you with insights, enabling you to use these words or phrases in your headings, meta descriptions, and content.

Conclusion

Selecting the right keywords doesn't have to be rocket science. It's about understanding your audience, and making data informed decisions. Remember to keep it simple and work with what your customers are asking for. If you need help, the Genie Crawl team are here to assist, helping you find the best keywords that will produce results. Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote.