Identifying Popular Keywords for My Website is Must
Understanding which keywords bring visitors to your website is essential. Why? Because knowing popular keywords can help you connect with people searching for topics related to your content, products, or services. This guide will walk you through the basics of identifying popular keywords for your website using tools like Google AdWords (now known as Google Ads Keyword Planner) and other keyword research tools.
Why Are Keywords Important?
First, let's break down the importance of keywords. Keywords are words or phrases people type into search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo when looking for information, products, or services. If your website contains popular keywords, it’s more likely to show up in search results, which increases the chances of visitors clicking on your site. But not all keywords are equally effective. Some are very competitive, while others are more specific and easier to rank for. That's where keyword research comes in!
Step 1: Start with Broad Topics
Before diving into keyword research tools, it’s helpful to brainstorm a list of broad topics that relate to your website. Ask yourself: What is my website about? What products or services do I offer? What information do I want to share? These questions can lead you to some initial ideas for topics, which can later be refined into specific keywords.
For example, if your website is about baking recipes, some broad topics might be “chocolate desserts,” “easy baking recipes,” or “cake decorating tips.” These are just starting points, but they’ll help you move forward in your research.
Step 2: Use Google Keyword Planner
Once you have a few topic ideas, it’s time to get into Google Keyword Planner, a free tool within Google Ads that’s designed to help you identify and analyze keywords. Follow these steps to get started:
- Create a Google Ads account if you don’t already have one. You won’t have to pay anything unless you run an ad campaign.
- In Google Ads, go to “Tools & Settings,” then “Keyword Planner.”
- Choose “Discover new keywords” and enter one or more of your broad topics (like “chocolate desserts” or “easy baking recipes”).
Google Keyword Planner will then show you a list of related keywords along with useful data such as search volume (how many times people search for that keyword per month) and competition level (how difficult it might be to rank for that keyword).
Key Metrics to Watch:
- Search Volume: Keywords with higher search volumes generally mean more people are interested in them. However, if the volume is extremely high, it may be more challenging to rank for that keyword.
- Competition: Keywords with “low” or “medium” competition are usually easier for smaller websites to rank for than high-competition keywords.
- Cost-per-click (CPC): If you’re considering paid ads, CPC can give you an idea of how expensive a keyword would be to bid on. However, this isn’t essential for organic (non-paid) search ranking.
Step 3: Explore Related Keywords with Other Tools
While Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool, there are many other keyword research tools out there. Some offer unique insights or additional features that can be useful for beginners. Here are a few worth exploring:
- Ubersuggest: This tool is beginner-friendly and offers keyword ideas along with data like search volume and SEO difficulty. It also shows related keywords, which can help you find more specific options.
- Ahrefs Keywords Explorer: Ahrefs is a popular tool among SEO professionals. It provides advanced keyword analysis and a “difficulty” score that can help you determine which keywords are easier to rank for.
- Keyword Surfer: This is a Chrome extension that displays keyword search volumes right in your Google search results, making it super convenient for quick research.
- SEMrush: SEMrush is a well-known SEO tool widely used by marketers for keyword research, competitor analysis, and much more. With SEMrush, you can enter a broad keyword, and it will generate keyword suggestions, show search volumes, keyword difficulty, and even provide insights into what your competitors are ranking for. One unique feature of SEMrush is its “Keyword Magic Tool,” which provides extensive keyword variations and related terms, making it easy to find relevant long-tail keywords.
Step 4: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Now, let’s talk about long-tail keywords. These are longer and more specific phrases, usually three or more words. For instance, instead of just “baking recipes,” a long-tail keyword might be “easy baking recipes for beginners.” Although long-tail keywords often have lower search volumes, they tend to be less competitive, making it easier for new websites to rank for them. Plus, long-tail keywords attract more specific searchers who are closer to making a decision or purchase, which can be beneficial if you’re trying to build an audience or make sales.
When using keyword research tools, look for long-tail options related to your main keywords. Long-tail keywords can sometimes reveal niche topics or unique angles that competitors might not be targeting.
Step 5: Analyze and Prioritize Your Keywords
At this stage, you probably have a long list of keywords. So, how do you choose the best ones? Here are a few tips:
- Relevance: Make sure the keyword accurately represents what your website is about. Avoid keywords just because they have high search volumes unless they align with your content.
- Search Volume: For new websites, it's often best to aim for keywords with a medium search volume. Extremely high search volumes may indicate that it’s very competitive.
- Keyword Difficulty: If your tool provides a difficulty score, use it to help prioritize. Start with keywords with lower difficulty scores to increase your chances of ranking.
Step 6: Integrate Keywords into Your Content
Now that you’ve identified your keywords, it’s time to use them effectively on your website. Here are some strategic places to incorporate your keywords:
- Page Titles and Headers: Place your main keyword in page titles and headers (like H1, H2, etc.), as search engines pay attention to these elements.
- Meta Descriptions: The meta description is the snippet of text that appears under your page title in search results. Including your keyword here can improve your click-through rate.
- Content Body: Naturally include keywords within the text of your page. Avoid “keyword stuffing” (using a keyword too many times), as it can lead to a poor reading experience and may even harm your rankings.
Final Thoughts: Stay Updated and Keep Learning
The world of keyword research is constantly evolving as search engine algorithms change. Staying updated on trends, experimenting with new keywords, and refining your strategy can help you keep your website visible to more people.
With these steps, you’re well-equipped to start identifying and using popular keywords for your website. By following this process and continually learning, you’ll set yourself up for SEO success, bringing more visitors to your site and growing your online presence.