Why Keyword Research Is Useful For SEO
Keywords. Keywords. Keywords.
What is so important about keywords in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) efforts? You might have browsed through multiple sites and how-to guides going on about the importance of sprinkling in keywords in content, metadata and H1/H2 tags, but what’s the big deal anyway?
Simply put, keywords are one key (don’t mind the pun) ways in which people locate your business website.
For example, you are interested in getting a sweet pair of shoes for your next hike. What might you type into Google’s search engine? Shoes for hiking perhaps? Or just hiking boots? Or you might even type in the best hiking shoes, if you are in the market for some great kicks.
You might not have realised it but you just used important keywords that triggered the search results you see on your screen. That simple example demonstrates the importance of using the right keywords to optimise your website.
But, as any search engine optimisation expert worth their salt will tell you, it isn’t just about adding keywords. Keyword stuffing isn’t the best practice for SEO and can get your website flagged by Google. The trick is to add the right keywords because simply adding in keywords you might think is relevant, may not be the ones your potential customers are using. This is where keyword research becomes a pivotal part of your search engine optimisation strategy. Check out the top 3 reasons why keyword research is important.
1. Find out what potential customers are searching for
Perhaps the most basic benefit that you can reap from conducting keyword research is to determine with a great amount of accuracy about what people are searching for. Take the example we used earlier with the hiking shoes. In depth research could tell you that hiking shoes perform better than hiking boots. A simple switch between shoes and boots could mean a better optimisation strategy and inevitably a better search engine results page (SERP) ranking. It is important to undertake this research because you might think this certain keyword might perform better, but research might orient your keyword optimisation in the right direction.
2. Improve Your Business’ Relevance
It is important to note that Google ranks its results according to which results are most relevant to what the user has typed into Google’s search engine. This is where search intent becomes imperative. Through keyword research, you will be able to understand what is the search intent behind the query and why users use the keywords that they do. It is vital that you identify the common thread between certain keywords and search intent. With this information in mind, you are able to ensure the content on your website contains those all-important keywords and matches up the user’s search intent.
3. Helps You Optimise Your Content
Keywords increase the relevance of your content and signals to Google that this content is relevant to the user’s search query. Another big plus point about keyword research is that it offers you ideas about what sort of content to produce. As the saying goes “Content Is King!” but if you don’t write according to user search intent or with the right keywords, then your efforts will be in vain.
Get In Touch With A SEO Expert For A Conclusive Keyword Research
Reach out to a local SEO consultant to conduct customised keyword research for your business. Keyword research will help you to determine what sort of keywords your potential customers are using in their search queries and allows you to fully optimise your content. Get your page to Google’s coveted page 1 when you activate our team today! Click here for more information.