Introduction
If you’ve ever wondered how your competitors always seem to get found online, or why your website traffic isn’t quite what you hoped it would be, then you’re in the right place. The secret sauce to getting found online isn’t just about having a fancy website or catchy content. It’s all about keyword research. And guess what? You don’t need to be a tech genius to master it. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use Google Keyword Planner to find the right keywords that can help you reach more customers without breaking a sweat.
Why Keyword Research is Important
Before we dive into the details of using Google Keyword Planner, let’s talk about why keyword research matters. Think of keywords as the bridge between what people are searching for online and the content you provide on your website. If your website content includes the words and phrases people are typing into search engines, then you’re more likely to show up in search results. And more visibility means more visitors, which can lead to more sales or inquiries.
But it’s not just about using any keywords. You need to use the right ones— the ones that your potential customers are actually searching for. That’s where keyword research comes in.
Getting Started with Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool provided by Google Ads that helps you find keywords related to your business. Here’s how to get started:
1. Set Up Your Google Ads Account
- Even if you’re not planning to run ads, you’ll need a Google Ads account to use the Keyword Planner. Don’t worry; setting it up is simple and free.
- Go to Google Ads and click on “Start Now.” Follow the prompts to create your account.
2. Accessing Keyword Planner
- Once your Google Ads account is set up, navigate to the Keyword Planner tool by clicking on “Tools & Settings” in the top menu and selecting “Keyword Planner” under the “Planning” section.
3. Choosing Your Path: Discover New Keywords or Get Search Volume and Forecasts
- Google Keyword Planner offers two primary options:
- Discover new keywords: This option allows you to find new keywords related to your business by entering words or phrases related to what you offer.
- Get search volume and forecasts: This option provides data on the search volume of specific keywords you’re already interested in and offers predictions on their performance.
Discovering New Keywords
Let’s walk through how to discover new keywords that can help drive traffic to your website.
1. Enter Your Seed Keywords
- Seed keywords are basic terms related to your business. For example, if you run a bakery, your seed keywords might be “fresh bread,” “pastries,” or “wedding cakes.”
- Enter these into the search bar in the Keyword Planner, and click “Get Results.”
2. Analyzing Keyword Ideas
- Google will present you with a list of keyword ideas based on your seed keywords. You’ll see columns showing the average monthly searches, competition level, and more.
Pro Tip: Focus on keywords with moderate search volume and low competition. These are often easier to rank for and still attract a good amount of traffic.
3. Filter and Sort
- You can filter results to show only specific keywords, such as those with low competition or a certain average monthly search volume. Use these filters to narrow down your list to the most relevant keywords.
4. Group Keywords by Relevance
- Google Keyword Planner also groups keywords by relevance, making it easier to target specific themes or topics in your content. For instance, keywords related to “chocolate cakes” might be grouped together, helping you create content that’s focused and targeted.
Get Search Volume and Forecasts
If you already have a list of keywords, you can use Google Keyword Planner to get detailed data on them:
1. Enter Your Keywords
- You can copy and paste a list of keywords into the tool, separated by commas or line breaks.
- Click on “Get Results” to see the search volume, competition, and other metrics for each keyword.
2. Understanding the Metrics
- Average Monthly Searches: This tells you how often people are searching for that keyword each month.
- Competition: This indicates how many advertisers are bidding on that keyword. Low competition usually means it’s easier to rank for organically.
- Top of Page Bid: This gives you an idea of how much it would cost to run an ad for that keyword. While this is more relevant for paid advertising, it can also give you an idea of the keyword’s commercial value.
3. Forecasting
- The forecasting tool shows you how many clicks and impressions you might get if you were to run ads for those keywords. While primarily designed for advertisers, this data can also help you understand the potential reach of certain keywords.
Keyword Strategy Tips
Now that you know how to find and analyze keywords, here are some tips to make the most of your keyword research:
1. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
- Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases like “gluten-free chocolate cake recipes.” While they have lower search volume, they often have higher conversion rates because they attract more targeted traffic.
2. Balance Search Volume and Competition
- It’s tempting to go after keywords with the highest search volume, but these are usually the most competitive. Instead, aim for a mix of high and moderate volume keywords with low competition.
3. Think Like Your Customer
- Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. What would they type into Google to find your product or service? Use that mindset when brainstorming seed keywords.
Don’t Overlook Seasonal Keywords
- Some keywords peak during certain times of the year, like “Christmas cookies” in December. Keep these seasonal trends in mind when planning your content calendar.
Use Your Competitors for Inspiration
- Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs can show you the keywords your competitors are ranking for. While you don’t want to copy them outright, this can provide inspiration for your own keyword strategy.
Using Your Keywords
Once you’ve done your research and have a solid list of keywords, it’s time to put them to work:
1. Incorporate Keywords Naturally
- Keywords should fit naturally into your content. Avoid “keyword stuffing,” where you cram as many keywords as possible into your text. Not only does this make your content hard to read, but it can also hurt your SEO.
2. Optimize Key Areas
- Include your primary keyword in the title, meta description, headers, and the first 100 words of your content. Sprinkle related keywords throughout the text, but always prioritize readability.
3. Create High-Quality Content
- No matter how great your keyword research is, it won’t matter if your content isn’t valuable to your readers. Focus on providing useful, informative content that answers the questions your audience is asking.
4. Monitor and Adjust
- SEO isn’t a one-and-done deal. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor how your content is performing and make adjustments as needed. If certain keywords aren’t driving traffic, consider tweaking your strategy.
Conclusion
Keyword research might sound like a daunting task, especially if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. But with tools like Google Keyword Planner, it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to find the right keywords, you can significantly improve your chances of getting found online by the people who matter most— your potential customers.
Remember, it’s not just about stuffing keywords into your content. It’s about understanding what your audience is searching for and providing them with the content they need.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or just don’t have the time to dive into keyword research yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to WPSimplifyd. We’re here to help you navigate the world of SEO so you can focus on what you do best— running your business.
