Finding the right words to use on your website is one of the most important parts of growing an online presence. Think of keywords as the bridge between what people are searching for and the content you provide. If you build a solid bridge, people will find you easily.
This guide will walk you through a simple, step-by-step workflow to find great keywords, even if you are just starting out.
Step 1: Brainstorm Seed Topics
Before you use any fancy tools, start with what you know. Seed topics are broad categories related to your business or niche.
If you run a blog about gardening, your seed topics might be:
- Vegetable gardening
- Indoor plants
- Organic fertilizers
- Gardening tools
Write down five to ten broad ideas that represent the main things you talk about.
Step 2: Use Google Search for Clues
You don’t need expensive software to see what people are thinking. Google is actually one of the best research tools available.
Google Autocomplete: Start typing one of your seed topics into the Google search bar. Do not press enter yet. Look at the suggestions that drop down. These are real phrases people are searching for right now.
People Also Ask: After you run a search, look for the box that lists common questions. These are gold mines for blog post subheadings.
Related Searches: Scroll to the very bottom of the results page. Google will show you eight to ten other terms that are similar to your search.
Step 3: Expand Your List with Free Tools
Once you have a few ideas, you can use free tools to find more specific phrases. Tools like WordStream or the free version of Ubersuggest can help you see how many people search for a term each month.
At this stage, look for long-tail keywords. These are phrases that are three to five words long. For example, instead of just “gardening,” a long-tail keyword would be “how to grow tomatoes in small pots.” These are easier to rank for because they are more specific.
Step 4: Check the Competition
Search for your chosen keyword and look at the first page of results.
Are the results from huge websites like Wikipedia or major news outlets? If yes, it might be hard to compete.
Are there forums like Reddit or Quora in the top results? This is a great sign. It usually means there isn’t a perfect article answering the question yet, and you have a chance to fill that gap.
Step 5: Match the Search Intent
This is the most important step. You must understand why someone is searching for that word. Generally, there are three types of intent:
Informational: They want to learn something (e.g., “what is compost”).
Navigational: They are looking for a specific site.
Transactional: They want to buy something (e.g., “buy ceramic plant pots”).
Make sure your blog post gives the user exactly what they are looking for based on their intent.
Step 6: Organize and Write
Pick one primary keyword for your post and three to five secondary keywords. Use the primary keyword in your title and the first paragraph. Use the secondary keywords in your subheadings. This helps search engines understand your topic without making the writing feel forced.
