Rich Brown

Rich Brown

Keyword Strategy Made Easy

A keyword strategy is crucial for businesses looking to improve their online presence, reach their target audience, and achieve their marketing goals. However, it can be complex and time-consuming.

Why is keyword research important? To ensure your business is discoverable on platforms like Google, it’s crucial to grasp the keywords users are inputting in their searches. By incorporating these keywords into your website content, you increase the likelihood of your page appearing in search results.

This requires an understanding of customer intent through comprehensive Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) keyword research, identifying the most valuable keywords, grouping them effectively, and crafting content that genuinely aids users. Simplifying this process is attainable when you prioritise the user’s needs throughout.

Let’s break it down and make it easier to grasp.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s cover some fundamental concepts.

User-Centric Approach – The core principle here is putting people first. Your strategy should revolve around what your target audience is searching for and how you can provide value to them.

User Intent – It’s essential to grasp what your potential customers are looking for when they enter specific search terms. Understanding user intent is key to effective keyword targeting.

The Evolution of Keyword Strategies

Back in the early days of SEO (circa 2001-2002), overloading web pages with keywords was a common practice to boost rankings. This involves excessively using related keywords on a page to manipulate search engine rankings. However, after Google’s Panda update in 2009, it’s no longer effective and stuffing relevant search terms in a blog post or webpage can harm your website’s credibility.

Targeting overly broad keywords might seem tempting due to their high monthly search volume, but it often leads to low conversion rates. It’s highly recommended to focus on specific, long-tail keywords that align with your business offerings.

Using a whole bunch of keywords no one’s looking for and there’s no search following for. It’s easy to get you to number one on search engine results pages because there’s no competition but it’s not going to make any difference to your business.

Understanding Keyword Classes

Keywords are classified into three categories:

  • A-Class Keywords: These are transactional keywords with a high average monthly search volume and high keyword difficulty. They are competitive but can be highly profitable if you rank well for them. You may use a keyword difficulty checker tool to help identify A-class keywords.
  • B-Class Keywords: Transactional keywords with lower search volume but less competition. These can be quicker wins for improving rankings.
  • C-Class Keywords: Informational keywords, often in question format, are aimed at providing answers to users. They might not generate immediate sales but are essential for building authority and trust.

Keyword Research Process Made Simple

Getting started with keyword research doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s a simplified approach to gathering keyword ideas:

Set Up Website Analytics

Start by having a Google account, Google Analytics, and Google Search Console set up for your website. If you’re not tech-savvy, don’t worry; there are online instructions to guide you in using website analytics software and tools.

Use Keyword Research Tools

Utilise Google Search Console to identify keywords you’re already ranking for and download them to a spreadsheet. This forms the foundation of your keyword research. You may also use other paid or free keyword research tools. Here are some of the best keyword research tools you can use:

Google Trends

This free tool shows you how often people are searching for certain keywords over time. It can be used to identify trending keywords and to see how your target keywords are performing against other related keywords.

SurferSEO Keyword Research Tool

SurferSEO is a paid tool that offers a more comprehensive set of features than Google Keyword Planner. It can help you find long-tail keywords, analyse your competitors’ keywords, and track your keyword rankings.

Ahref’s free keyword generator

A simple free tool that helps you generate keyword ideas based on a seed keyword. It is a good tool for beginners who need help finding high-volume keywords, popular keywords, and other keyword suggestions to boost their content.

SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool

This is a paid SEO tool that offers a wide range of features, including keyword research, competitor analysis, and backlink monitoring. It’s a good tool for businesses that want to get the most out of their keyword research.

Competitor Analysis

Explore tools and resources online to conduct competitor analysis. Look through your organic search traffic bucket to identify keywords that your competitors are ranking for, but you aren’t.

Creating Quality Content

The heart of your SEO strategy lies in creating valuable content. However, it’s crucial to focus on people, not just search engines:

  • User-Centric Content: Write content that genuinely helps your audience. Think about their needs and questions.
  • Natural Keyword Integration: While writing, keep your keywords in mind, but don’t force them. They should seamlessly fit into your content.
  • Content Updates: Remember that SEO is an ongoing process. Regularly update and refresh your content to stay relevant and maintain your rankings.
  • Monitoring Performance: Your strategy isn’t complete without tracking and assessing its effectiveness.
  • Free Tools: Google Search Console is a valuable free tool for monitoring keyword performance. Keep a spreadsheet to track rankings, clicks, and impressions.
  • Stay Informed: Be aware of Google’s algorithm updates, like the recent “helpful update,” which rewards content that engages users and provides value.

Bonus Tip: Reviving Old Content

Don’t forget about your existing content. Often, you can breathe new life into old pages:

  • Identify High-Potential Pages: Find pages that are on the verge of ranking higher, but not quite there yet. Check dates, statistics, relevant links, meta description, and other information that requires updating.
  • Content Enhancements: Update and expand these pages, adding fresh information and the right keywords to improve their rankings. Use Google’s keyword planner or other similar tools to research keywords and ensure that each keyword or keyword phrase has high search volume data.

Ready to Boost Your SEO Strategy? Let’s Get Started!

Keyword and content strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding user intent, classifying keywords, conducting research, creating quality content, and monitoring performance, you can streamline your approach. Remember, regardless of what keyword research tool you use, it’s all about putting people first, providing value, and staying current in the ever-evolving world of SEO.

If you find this blog informative and are eager to take the next steps in improving your SEO strategy, we’re here to help! Our SEO exploration process simplifies everything we’ve discussed into an actionable plan that can transform your online presence. Here’s what we offer:

Ready to take your SEO to the next level? Click the red button to book a quick chat. Let’s embark on this journey together and watch your business grow through effective SEO strategies.

Rich Brown
Rich Brown

Rich is one of the smartest dudes around here – he is our SEO Strategist at TheOnlineCo. He is a learner, he enjoys figuring out how to make things work and is tenacious about getting your SEO sorted. Rich has this ability to implement SEO strategies that help our clients rank for their designated keywords. He is thorough, methodical and highly skilled.

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