When you launch a new website, the biggest challenge is getting noticed. You are competing against established sites that have years of authority and thousands of links. If you try to target broad words like “shoes” or “fitness,” your content will likely get buried on page ten of the search results.
To get visitors quickly, you need to pick the right battles. This means choosing specific types of keywords that are easier to rank for.
Here are the best keyword types for new websites to focus on.
Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer phrases that usually contain three or more words. For example, instead of “dog food,” a long-tail keyword would be “best organic dog food for senior labs.”
These are great for new sites because:
- Lower Competition: Fewer big websites are targeting these specific phrases.
- Clear Intent: You know exactly what the person is looking for.
- Higher Conversion: People searching for specific terms are often closer to making a decision or taking action.
Question-Based Keywords
People often use search engines to solve problems. They type in full questions starting with “How,” “What,” “Why,” or “Where.”
New websites can win by providing the best, most direct answer to these questions. You can find these by looking at the “People Also Ask” section on Google results pages. Examples include “how to clean white sneakers at home” or “why is my monstera plant turning yellow.” These help you build trust and authority in your niche.
Low Competition Informational Keywords
Informational keywords are used by people who want to learn something. For a new site, you should look for “low difficulty” informational topics. These are topics where the top results are old, from forums like Reddit, or from low-quality sites.
When you see a forum ranking in the top three spots for a search term, it is a sign that Google hasn’t found a high-quality article to put there yet. This is your chance to write a better, more helpful post and take that spot.
Comparison and “Versus” Keywords
When people are deciding between two products or methods, they search for comparisons. Keywords like “Product A vs Product B” are gold for new websites.
While big brands might rank for the individual product names, they often neglect the comparison pages. By providing an honest, side-by-side look at two popular items in your niche, you can attract visitors who are very interested in the topic.
Local or Geo-Targeted Keywords
If your website has any connection to a physical location, use geo-targeted keywords. Instead of “plumbing tips,” use “plumbing tips for homeowners in Florida.” Adding a city or state reduces the number of websites you are competing against and makes your content highly relevant to a specific group of people.
Conclusion
Success for a new website isn’t about how many people search for a word. It is about whether you can actually show up on the first page for that word. By focusing on long-tail phrases, specific questions, and low-competition comparisons, you can start seeing traffic much sooner.
