Keyword research and discovery is the first SEO [Search Engine Optimization] step to creating a blog that gets traffic.
The process is vital especially if you intend to monetize your blog. Make the time to do this step first. Many people stop too soon during this part of the process. Then, always be searching for keywords you can add to your list. One way to do this is to analyze your competitors keywords.
There are several kinds of keywords.
- Head Terms are one or two word terms that broadly describe your blog’s subject. There are usually a lot of results for these kinds of words. For example, “shavers” is considered a Head Keyword because when someone searches for that keyword, they’ll get around 12.5 million Google results about all kinds of razors. “” Shavers for men” narrows the subject down a bit (4,840,000 results), but is still considered a Head Term. Note that searching for “Mens Shavers” or “shavers mens” will show you different results.
- Long Tail Terms describe the Head Term in more detail. They are usually three to five words long, but can be longer. Long Tail terms have fewer, more relevant, results. Here’s an example. Searching for the tail word “shavers for men with sensitive skin” (1,640,000 results) shows only result for shavers made for men who have that kind of skin. “Electric shavers for men with sensitive skin” ( 356,000 results) make the search even more specific. Narrow it down even more by using a modifier like the words best (98,500 results), buy (92,600 results), review (53,500 results), or another modifier like that.
You get the idea. Head terms get lots of results, but can be very hard to rank for. Tail terms get fewer results but those results are much more targeted. They provide a better experience for your visitor by showing them what they really want to know.
Here’s a list of keyword tools you can use to get your own keywords. This can take some time, so be sure to allow ample time, especially if it’s your first time. Instructions can be found on the sites.
- The Google Adwords Keyword Suggestion Tool (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal) is a free tool you can use to get a list of keywords.
- The free version of Wordtracker (http://www.wordtracker.com/). The paid version is an industrial-strength tool, but the free version can really help you too. There is a free seven day trial available.
- Wordstream (http://www.wordstream.com/keywords) has a free keyword tool as well as tools for niche discovery and negative keyword discovery.
- GoodKeywords (http://www.goodkeywords.com/products/) is free software to help find and analyze your keywords. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find some good resources for learning about keywords. They also have a free trial of their paid product.
- SEMRush (http://www.semrush.com/) will show you the first ten keywords for free anytime. But one of the nice benefits of using this site is they give you a list of your organic competition as well as your PPC competitors.
- Compete.com (http://www.compete.com/) lets you research your competition to see what keywords they use. They allow you to analyze three domains for free.
- KeywordSpy (http://www.keywordspy.com/) provides detailed information about CPC (cost per click) and your competition. There is a free search that gives you information on the top ten sites for a given keyword. There is a paid product with a free trail available.
- MarketSamurai (http://www.marketsamurai.com/) This is one of the most effective products I have ever used…
These tools will help you find the best keywords for your blog or website. If you know of other good ones, tell us about it in a comment.
Hope your day is great and getting better.