How to Find the Right Keywords to Help Your Website Rank
Keyword research is one of the most important skills in SEO. If you choose the wrong keywords, your pages will never reach the right audience. If you choose the right ones, you will attract visitors who are ready to read, learn, or buy.
This guide walks you through the fundamentals of keyword research so you can confidently build content that ranks.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Keyword Research
- Why Keyword Research Matters
- Types of Keywords
- Tools You Can Use for Keyword Research
- Step by Step Keyword Research Process
- Understanding Search Intent
- Common Keyword Research Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Call To Action
Introduction to Keyword Research
Keyword research helps you identify the search terms people use to find information, services, and answers online.
Every high ranking page starts with a keyword, and every successful SEO strategy begins with understanding what users are searching for.
Without keyword research you are guessing. With keyword research you are creating content that aligns with user needs and ranking opportunities.
Why Keyword Research Matters
Keyword research is essential because it:
- Helps you understand your audience
- Identifies what content to create
- Guides your website structure
- Tells you what users actually want
- Shows you which keywords are too competitive
- Helps you prioritize high value ranking opportunities
Good keyword research saves you months of wasted effort by pointing your SEO strategy in the right direction.
Types of Keywords
Short Tail Keywords
One or two words. Example: SEO, skincare, roofing.
Large search volume but extremely competitive.
Mid Tail Keywords
Two to three words. Example: learn SEO, Tampa roofing company.
Moderate volume, moderate competition.
Long Tail Keywords
Three or more words. Example: how to learn SEO for beginners, best HVAC repair in Tampa.
Lower competition and higher conversion rates.
Branded Keywords
Keywords that include business names. Example: KallistoTech SEO services.
Local Keywords
Keywords that include location based intent. Example: SEO company Tampa Florida.
Each type has a purpose in your overall SEO strategy.
Tools You Can Use for Keyword Research
Here are beginner friendly tools you can use:
- Google Search Console
- Google Keyword Planner
- Google Autocomplete
- People Also Ask
- Semrush
- Ahrefs
- Ubersuggest
- Answer The Public
You do not need all of them. Even Google Suggestions alone can help you find dozens of valuable keywords.
Step by Step Keyword Research Process
Step One
Identify your main topics
Example: SEO, digital marketing, keyword research, local SEO.
Step Two
Brainstorm search terms related to your topic.
Include common questions and problems.
Step Three
Use keyword tools to find search volume, competition and related keywords.
Step Four
Analyze the top ranking pages.
Look at:
- Content depth
- Word count
- Headings
- Intent
- Backlinks
This tells you what Google considers valuable.
Step Five
Choose keywords based on these filters:
- Relevance
- Search intent
- Difficulty
- Competition
- Opportunity to rank
Step Six
Group your keywords by topic and use them to plan blog posts, landing pages, and supporting content.
Understanding Search Intent
Every keyword carries a purpose. Users search because they want something. There are four main intent types:
- Informational intent
- Navigational intent
- Transactional intent
- Commercial intent
Matching your content to the user’s intent is one of the strongest ranking signals in SEO.
If your target keyword has transactional intent, but you create an informational blog post, your page will struggle to rank.
Common Keyword Research Mistakes
Avoid these beginner mistakes:
- Choosing keywords without checking search intent
- Targeting only high volume keywords
- Ignoring long tail opportunities
- Not analyzing top ranking competitors
- Using the same keyword for multiple pages
- Trying to rank for keywords that are too competitive
- Skipping internal link planning
Keyword research is not just about choosing words. It is about choosing strategically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many keywords should a page target
One primary keyword and several related secondary keywords.
How do I know if a keyword is too competitive
Check the keyword difficulty score and analyze who is currently ranking on page one.
Do long tail keywords still work
Yes. Long tail keywords often convert better and are easier to rank for.
How often should I do keyword research
Any time you are creating new content or optimizing existing pages.
Call To Action
Keyword research is the foundation of every successful SEO strategy. If you want help identifying the best opportunities for your business, we can guide you with expert keyword analysis and content planning.
Call us at (813) 563-5321
Request a free SEO keyword audit on our website.
