How to find the Right Keywords for Your Small Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Keywords are everything in SEO. Seriously, they're the heart and soul of it. If you are not using the right keywords, no one is going to find you. It is just like you screaming in a room full of people where nobody can hear you.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) cannot do without the right keywords. The right keywords are the most integral part of SEO. If your keyword game is not on point, then your SEO work isn’t going to work well.

Now, the million-dollar question: what makes a keyword "right"? Well, we're going to dive into that soon, but before that…

What are keywords for SEO?

They are simply the words people type into Google (or any search engine) when they're looking for something – a product, a service, information, you name it.

The more people searching for a word, the better – that means more potential customers! But, those words have to actually relate to what you're offering.

Fun Fact: Keywords for SEO are generally divided into two categories which are:

SHORT-TAIL KEYWORDS:

Short-tail keywords are short, usually just one or two words, and they're general ones, too. And generally, not specific. You may look up for the word ‘famous cars’ – this is a popular keyword but its not specific to which one exactly you are looking for.

Examples: "shoes," "pizza," "food," "flights"

Their purpose: These keywords have huge search volume, meaning lots of people are searching for them. If you rank for a short-tail keyword, you could get a lot of traffic.

 However, the competition is also incredibly high. Everyone is trying to rank for "shoes," so it's tough to stand out. Also, because they're so general, the people searching might not be ready to buy just yet – they're still exploring.

LONG-TAIL KEYWORDS: TARGETING YOUR IDEAL CUSTOMERS

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases, usually three or more words. You may type something like ‘how to find the right keywords’ – here you are being specific about what you are looking for.

Examples: "best running shoes for women with flat feet," "vegan pizza delivery near me," "used Toyota Camry for sale in Miami," "cheap flights to Paris in June"

Their purpose: These keywords have lower search volume than short-tail keywords, but they are much more targeted and can attract exactly those customers who are looking for the product that you are offering.

The people searching for "best running shoes for women with flat feet" are much closer to making a purchase than someone just searching for "shoes."

They know exactly what they want. Because they are more specific, there is also less competition, making it easier to rank. Long-tail keywords are great for attracting qualified leads – people who are interested in what you are selling.

How to Find the Right Keywords for Business ?

Here are some step-by-step keyword research tips for small business:

Please note: it is always best to have all the correct information before implementing anything.

Step 1 - Know your business inside and out: Think about what you offer, who your ideal customer is, and what problems you solve. The better you understand your business, the better you will understand what people are searching for.

Step 2 - Brainstorm keywords: Take a note of all the words and phrases you can think of that relate to your business. At this stage, don't overthink, just get everything down. Think about different ways people might search for your products or services.

Step 3 - Use keyword research tools: Now comes the exciting part. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz Keyword Explorer can help you find more relevant keywords, see how many people are searching for them, and how competitive they are. These tools are helpful for finding those hidden gems. If used correctly, they can add great value to your business.

Step 4 - Analyse your competitors: See what keywords your competitors are ranking for. This can give you some great ideas and help you identify opportunities you might have missed. You don’t have to copy them, though – find your own unique angle and get find the best keywords for business.

Step 5 - Focus on long-tail keywords: As we talked about, these longer, more specific phrases are often less competitive and attract more qualified leads. Think about the specific needs and pain points of your target audience and find the best keywords for your business around those.

Step 6 - Test and refine: Keyword research is not a one-time thing. Keep track of your keyword performance and see what is working and what is not. Adjust your strategy as needed and keep looking for new opportunities.

Conclusion

So, there you have it.

Finding the right keywords is like building the foundation for your online success. It takes a little effort, a bit of research, and a pinch of creativity, but it is key. 

Put the SEO tools into good use and use various strategies that we have already talked about to really understand what your customers are looking for.

It is important to remember, it is not about getting the most traffic; it is about getting the right traffic – the people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

And by focusing on those right keywords for business, you will be well on your way to connecting with your ideal customers and growing your business.

It is an ongoing process, so keep learning, keep testing, and keep refining your strategy.  Your perfect keywords are out there – you just have to go find them!

We hope you got the basic insights on how to find the right keywords for your business.