Keyword research is one of the most important yet least implemented parts of Search Engine Optimisation.
What is keyword research?
Every time you search for something on Google or any other search engine, you’re using keywords to find that website. Keywords aren’t strictly words as such: they can be words or phrases, or strings of words that represent a search term. Most of us type in short strings of words in order to locate information, rather than typing full sentences into Google. Identifying trends in keyword use forms the basis of keyword research services.
Keywords are also used on social media. It’s possible to search Twitter for keywords: it’s even easier with the advent of hashtags. Hashtags are keywords with a hash (sometimes called a ‘number sign’ or ‘pound sign’) in front of the term: for example, #SEO or #research. This hashtag acts like an index: it makes it easier to quickly find what you need among millions of tweets.
Keywords are at the heart of SEO because they’re fundamental to the way everyone uses the internet. Identifying popular Google keywords can help you to optimise your content effectively so people who are looking for your product or service find it within seconds. You can’t progress with search engine optimisation techniques without knowing what your keywords are, and that’s where it pays to have expert help.
Why should I hire a Google keywords expert?
Consider the theme of your website first of all. Think about all the ways someone could search for the products and services you offer. You probably have a few words and phrases in mind already.
Initially, your ideas are likely to be quite general. But if everyone tried to compete on general keywords, SEO would be very ineffective. For example, a plumbing company in Edinburgh could optimise their website for the word ‘plumber’, but it’s not going to be much use to someone in London to find his website. ‘Plumbing Edinburgh’ is better. ‘Plumbing services Edinburgh’ is better still.
Once you start to pin down keywords and search terms, you start to realise that there are hundreds of combinations of varying lengths and complexity. Some of them will be really popular. Some will generate hardly any traffic at all.
How do you know which ones to use? Without the help of a Google keyword expert, you don’t.
Embarking on an SEO project without consulting a keyword research specialist is never a good idea. It’s the foundation for the rest of the optimisation project. There are all kinds of factors to consider, and without a helping hand, you could easily end up chasing your tail and pouring money into keywords that aren’t working.
How do keyword research services work?
Keyword research starts with keyword analysis. An SEO expert can look at your business and see what terms your competitors are targeting. The aim is to firstly identify as many highly relevant keywords to your website as possible. Then the keywords are further analysed to identify the search volume and strength of competition.
Google keyword experts use a range of metrics and statistics to see how potential keywords are performing in your sector. Not only that, they can see how competitive the market is for those keywords. Strong competition on a low budget can spell disaster, but an expert in Google keywords will know if it’s possible to achieve a page one ranking with those words.
Especially for new websites, it is essential that you pick battles you can win, otherwise your website will be out in the wilderness with no traffic for a long time.
In SEO, it’s widely accepted that keyword research is highly valuable. Keywords aren’t static, and optimising for them is like following a moving target. But with expert help, you will have the best chance of competing in a crowded market.
How do I get started with keyword research services?
Our clients trust our keyword research to deliver results and improve conversions. It’s the single most important thing you need when improving your SEO. Email us today to find out how we could improve your ROI with better keywords.
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