When we talk of keywords, it’s also important to say that all keywords are not equal. There are different types of keywords that you can use for optimizing your website.
What Are Keywords?
Keywords are essentially the words or phrases that people type in search engines while looking for information, services, or products. For example, if you operate a bakery shop in Dubai, people may type words like “best bakery in Dubai” or “fresh bread near me.” They are keywords, and they help search engines such as Google identify the content on your website.
Why Do Keywords Matter?
When people look for something on the internet, search engines try to bring them the most relevant sites. The closer your site matches what people are trying to find, the higher your site will come up in search results. You help people find your site by using the proper keywords. This is known as search engine optimization (SEO).
How Do You Find the Right Keywords?
Think Like Your Audience: Think about what an individual looking for your product or service would use to search. What would he or she plug into Google? These are potential keywords.
Tools: There are several tools to help you with keyword research. Some of the best known are:
- Google Keyword Planner: It is a free tool that allows you to discover keyword suggestions and check their search volume.
- Ubersuggest: Both a keyword suggest and ranking tracking tool.
- SEMrush: A comprehensive tool with keyword ideas, volume, and competition data.
- Ahrefs: A very helpful SEO tool that allows you to find keywords and check your competition’s ranks
Competitor Check: Determine what keywords are placing your competitors on top. You can shoot for similar or better keywords to compete.
How to Use Keywords
Once you’ve determined the correct keywords, you need to use them correctly:
- On Your Website Content: Use keywords naturally throughout blog posts, product descriptions, and service pages. But please don’t do too much. Keyword stuffing harms your rankings.
- Headers and Titles: Search engines rank words in headings and titles with higher priority, so place your keywords here.
- In Meta Descriptions: This is the brief description that appears below your site title in search engine results. Make it exciting and include keywords.
Types of keywords
- Short-Tail Keywords
These are broad, short keywords that are likely one or two words. They could be something such as “shoes,” “fitness,” or “restaurants.” Although they do have a vast amount of searches, they are very competitive. It is harder to rank for these because other websites are competing for the same keywords. However, if you can rank for them, traffic can be incredible.
Example: “shoes” is a short-tail keyword.
- Long-Tail Keywords
These are longer, more descriptive words (usually three or more). Long-tail keywords are less competitive and thus easier to rank for. And they usually resonate with people who are closer to making a decision or a purchase.
Example: “Best running shoes for flat feet” is a long-tail keyword.
Long-tail keywords are going to bring a more specific audience, and therefore there are better conversion chances (sale, sign-up, etc.).
- Branded Keywords
They are terms that include the product name or the brand name. For example, if someone is looking for “Nike shoes,” then he has utilized a branded keyword. If you are the owner of a brand, then it is always a good choice to place your brand name in your content, as it will bring customers who are already aware of your products to your website.
Example: “Apple iPhone” is a branded keyword.
- Geo-Targeted Keywords
If your business is location-dependent, you require geo-targeted keywords. They carry a locality with them, like a place or region, and make you appear in searches for that local area. Suppose you are a digital marketing agency operating in Dubai. You can employ keywords like “digital marketing agency in Dubai” to attract those near you.
Example: “Chicago pizza” is a geo-targeted keyword.
How to Track the Performance of Keywords
After you’ve put your keywords on your website, you’ll want to see how they’re doing. Google Analytics and other SEO software can be used to measure keyword performance. Here’s what you want to track:
- Organic Traffic: These are individuals accessing your website via search engines. The effectiveness of your keywords determines an increase in organic traffic as time passes.
- Keyword Rankings: Track how your keywords rank on search engines. Are they climbing to the first page? Are you getting clicks?
- Conversion Rates: Eventually, the target of SEO is to acquire additional leads or sales. Observe how many of the visitors who came to your website through a keyword are converting to customers or engaging in the intended action.
It’s also important to know that keywords and trends change with time. For instance, new trends, events, and technologies can cause the things people search for to change. That is why it is important to carry out keyword research periodically. Put it into your routine to check your keywords now and then and rewrite your content to be current with regard to what the users are searching for.
