Table of Contents
Introduction
In this competitive online marketing, effective keyword research services are the successful SEO campaigns.
Keyword research services help businesses to identify the most valuable keywords to target.
This guide covers various aspects of keyword services, exploring their importance, critical components, and the tools and techniques used.
Types of Keyword Research Services
Basic Keyword Research
Basic keyword research is finding general keywords related to your business or niche. There are common words or phrases people use when they are searching for products or services they need.
The goal is to discover the keywords that most people are searching for. Using these keywords or queries in your content requires high-quality content and many links to your blog post or site.
For example, if you run a bakery, basic keyword research might include “best bakery,” “fresh bread,” or “cake shop.”
Competitor Analysis
Competitor analysis is about looking for the keywords that your competitors are using. It involves studying your competitors’ keywords to rank in search engines.
It involves which keywords your competitors are targeting, and you can find gaps where they need to be stronger. It allows you to identify the opportunities to rank for keywords that they might be missing or weak in.
Suppose you want to outrank your competitors for the keyword “organic bread.” Still, you offer a gluten-free option, but they don’t. In that case, you might focus on a “gluten-free bakery” to attract different customers.
Long-Tail Keyword Research
Long-tail keyword research might focus on finding long, more specific keyword phrases. These are less common but very effective because they match searchers’ needs.
Long-tail keywords usually have low search volume but high intent, meaning people using these keywords are often ready to buy or take action.
For instance, instead of just “bread,” a long tail keyword might be “best gluten-free bread in downtown.” It targets the people who know exactly what they want.
Local SEO Keyword Research
Local SEO keywords research finds keywords specific to your local area. It is crucial for businesses that rely on local customers.
The goal is to attract people looking for services or products near them. It increases your chances of appearing in the local search results or maps.
Critical Components of Keyword Research
Search Volume
Search volume is the number of times a particular keyword searches in a given period, usually a month.
High search volume means that many people are looking for that term, which can bring a lot of visitors to your website or particular blog post if you rank for it. However, keywords with high search volume often have more competition.
For example, if you have the keyword “best bakery” with a high search volume, targeting this keyword could bring many people to your “bakery” website.
Keyword Difficulty
Keyword difficulty estimates the difficulty of ranking for a specific keyword on a search engine.
If a keyword is highly competitive, getting a top spot in search results might be challenging, especially for new and smaller websites. Keywords with high volume and lower difficulty can be more effective.
“Best Bakery” might be more competitive because many established websites compete for it. However, “gluten-free bakery in Queens” might be easy to rank for.
Relevance
Relevance shows that your keywords are related to your business, product, or services and match your customers’ search.
Using relevant keywords indicates that the traffic you attract is interested in what you offer, leading to better engagement and higher conversion chances.
For instance, for a bakery, the related keywords would be the types of bread, cakes, or pastries you sell rather than unrelated terms like “car repair.”
Intent
The intent refers to the purpose behind a user’s search query. It’s about why someone is searching for a specific keyword.
Knowing the intent can help you target keywords that align with your business goals. There are different types of intent, such as informational (looking for information), transactional (looking to make a purchase), commercial (looking to investigate a product or service before buying), and navigational (looking for a specific website).
Example: A keyword like how to bake bread is informational while buying fresh bread online indicates transactional intent.
Tools and Techniques
Keyword Research Tools
Keyword research tools are online platforms that help you to find and analyze keywords related to your business.
These tools provide valuable data, including search volume, keyword difficulty, and competition. They help you decide which keyword to target.
Examples:
Google Keyword Planner: A free SEO tool offering keyword ideas, search volume, and competition.
SEMrush: SEMrush provides comprehensive data about keyword ranking, competition, and related keywords.
Ahrefs: Ahrefs is known for its detailed keyword difficulty analysis and backlinks.
Moz Keyword Explorer: Moz offers insights into keyword suggestions, difficulty, and organic click-through rates.
Brainstorming and Customer Feedback
This technique involves generating keyword ideas based on brainstorming sessions with your team and gathering customer input.
It helps you identify terms and phrases that real people use when discussing your products or services.
How It Works:
Gather your team and list potential keywords and phrases related to your business. Consider what customers might type into a search engine to find your product or services.
Ask your customers directly or use surveys to learn the phrases they use. Also, review feedback, comments, and questions from your website, social media, and customer services.
Analyzing Search Trends
Analyzing search trends involves how the popularity of specific keywords changes over time.
It helps you to stay updated on what people are currently interested in and allows you to adopt these trends in your content and keywords.
Example: Google Trends is a free tool that shows how often a keyword is searched over a specific period. It can also compare the popularity of multiple keywords.
Benefits of Professional Keyword Research Services
Expertise and Experience
Experts who deeply understand SEO and keyword strategy provide professional keyword research services.
These professionals use their knowledge and experience to identify the best keywords for your business.
Example:
In-depth analysis: Professionals can perform a detailed analysis of your industry and competitors to find keywords you might not have considered.
Algorithm Understanding: They understand how search engine algorithms work and can adjust your keyword strategy accordingly to improve your search engine ranking.
Time Efficiency
Keyword research can be a time-consuming process that involves analyzing data, understanding trends, and continuously optimizing strategies.
Hiring professional services can save you time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
Customized Strategies
Professional keyword research services provide customized strategies to your specific business needs.
Customized strategies ensure that the keywords that have been selected align perfectly with your business’s objectives and target audience.
Better ROI (Return on Investment)
ROI refers to returns from the money you invest in your keywords and overall SEO strategy.
Professional keyword research helps you target the most effective keywords for better website traffic and increased conversions. It maximizes the return on your investment.
Enhanced Competitive Edge
Staying ahead of your competitors in search ranking is crucial for attracting more customers.
Professionals can analyze your competitor’s strategies and identify opportunities for you to outrank them.
How to Choose a Keyword Research Service Provider
Reputation and Reviews
A provider’s reputation is built on their best performance and clients’ satisfaction. It helps ensure you’re investing in a trustworthy partner.
Range of Services
The range of services refers to the different types of keyword research and related SEO services the provider offers.
A service provider can address all your needs, from keyword research to advanced SEO strategies.
Pricing and Value
Understanding the cost and value helps you budget effectively and ensures you get quality services without overpaying.
Experience and Expertise
Ensure that your service provider has experience in your business and expertise, which indicates their knowledge and skills in keyword research and SEO.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keyword research services are essential for any business to optimize its online campaign and achieve greater visibility in search engine results.
Using advanced keyword research tools such as Google Keywords Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs, you can find high-potential keywords that present their marketing goals.
FAQs
What are keyword research services?
Keyword research services are specialized services that help businesses identify the keywords that target their online content to improve their online visibility.
How much does keyword research cost?
The cost of keyword research services can depend on several factors, including the research scope, the niche’s complexity, and the provider’s experience.
How do you do paid keyword research?
Paid keyword research involves using advanced tools and strategies to identify the best keywords for a paid search campaign.