🚓Beginner's Guide to Keyword Research

Welcome to the world of keyword optimization! If you're new to this concept, fear not.

This guide is designed specifically for beginners, breaking down the seemingly complex world of SEO into simple, actionable steps. You'll learn how to identify the right keywords that not only resonate with your audience but also boost your online visibility.

Whether you're a job seeker, or a freelancer, understanding keywords is crucial in navigating the digital landscape. Let's embark on this journey to uncover the keywords that will unlock new opportunities for you.

Why Keywords Matter

THE POWER OF KEYWORDS 🔍

Keywords are the building blocks of online content. They help search engines understand what your content is about and match it with users' search queries. Choosing the right keywords can place you ahead and increase your visibility.

The Impact of Proper Keyword Selection​

• Boost Visibility: Correct keywords make your profile more discoverable.

• Target Relevant Audience: Attract viewers who are genuinely interested in your offerings.

• Stay Competitive: By wisely choosing keywords, you can outrank competitors in search results.

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Finding the Right Keywords​

Google Keyword Planner​

• How it's Unique: Directly integrates with Google's vast search data.

• Why Use It: Ideal for getting search volumes and competition levels.

• Why Not: Might be overwhelming for absolute beginners.

• Specific Reason to Use: Best for initial keyword brainstorming.

1. Create an Account & Click on Tools > Keyword Planner

Google "People Also Asked"

• How it's Unique: Google's "People Also Asked" feature provides real-time, commonly asked questions related to your search query. This gives insights into what users are actively curious about.

• Why Use It: It's a fantastic tool for understanding the specific questions your target audience is asking. This can help you tailor your content to answer these queries directly, which can be excellent for SEO and user engagement.

• Why Not: The data might not directly show search volume or keyword difficulty, which are crucial for SEO planning. Also, it might not always align perfectly with your primary keywords.

• Specific Reason to Use: Ideal for expanding your keyword strategy to include question-based queries. It's perfect for creating FAQ sections or blog posts that address common inquiries in your field, thereby increasing the relevance and helpfulness of your content.

Ubersuggest

• How it Differs: Provides keyword ideas based on Google's autocomplete.

• Why Use It: Offers easy-to-understand metrics and content ideas.

• Why Not: Limited free searches per day.

• Specific Use Case: Great for expanding your keyword list.

Google Autocomplete

• Unique Aspect: Predicts search queries based on real-time Google searches.

• Why Use It: To find long-tail keywords and user questions.

• Why Not: Might not give detailed metrics like search volume.

• Specific Reason to Use: Useful for identifying what users are currently searching for.

Similar Profiles​

• How it Stands Out: Allows you to see what keywords competitors use.

• Why Use It: To understand what works in your industry or niche.

• Why Not: Could lead to mimicking rather than innovating.

• Specific Use Case: Ideal for benchmarking and gaining industry insights.

Google Related Searches

Shows searches related to your query at the bottom of Google search results.

• Why Use It: To discover additional, related keywords.

• Why Not: These are often more generic.

• Specific Reason to Use: Great for finding related topics and expanding content ideas.

Keyword Research Best Practices​

1. Understand Your Audience: Know what your target audience is searching for.

2. Balance Between Broad and Specific: Use a mix of broad and long-tail keywords.

3. Monitor Trends: Stay updated with the latest trends in your field.

START EXPLORING 🚀

Begin your keyword research journey with these tools and tips. Remember, the goal is to connect with your audience by speaking their search language. Happy keyword hunting!

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What's Next?

KEYWORD DIFFICULTY (KD)

This metric indicates how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword. A higher KD means more competition. For beginners, targeting lower KD keywords (easier to rank for) is advisable.

SEARCH VOLUME

This shows how many people are searching for a particular keyword. Higher search volume means more people are looking for that term, but it often comes with more competition.

1. Assess Keyword Difficulty (KD): Evaluate the competition for each keyword. Keywords with a high KD are harder to rank for, especially for new profiles or websites.

2. Consider Search Volume: Look for keywords with a decent search volume. High volume means more people are searching for that term, but it might also mean more competition.

3. Relevance to Your Content: Ensure the keywords are relevant to your content or profile. Irrelevant keywords won't benefit your SEO and might confuse your audience.

4. Filter and Prioritize: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to filter out less effective keywords. Focus on those that are attainable and highly relevant to your niche.

5. Create a Keyword Strategy: Decide how you'll use these keywords in your content. Plan to use them in titles, headers, and naturally within the text.

IT IS NOT EASY

For effective keyword research, the goal is to find keywords with the highest possible search volume but the least competition. This balance ensures greater visibility for your content with less effort in outranking competitors. It's important to note that keyword trends, competition, and search volumes can change over time due to market trends, algorithm updates, and shifting user interests.

Regularly revisiting and updating your keyword strategy is essential to maintain relevance and effectiveness in your SEO efforts.

Now is the Turn of Google Sheets​

1. Gather Data: Use keyword tools to gather data on search volume and keyword difficulty. Export this data to a CSV file.

2. Import to Google Sheets: Open Google Sheets and import the CSV file.

3. Organize Data: Ensure your data is in columns, typically with keywords in one column, search volume in another, and KD in a third.

4. Apply Filters: Click on the Data menu, then select 'Create a filter'. This allows you to sort data in each column.

5. Sort by Volume and Competition: Click the filter icon in the search volume column and sort from high to low. Then, filter the keyword difficulty column from low to high.

6. Analyze and Select Keywords: Look for keywords with high volume and low difficulty.

Our SEO Journey: A Case Study​

Numbers speak louder than words. If you're still skeptical about the power of SEO and the right keyword strategy, take a look at our data. These figures don't just tell a story; they showcase a journey of growth, strategy, and success.

LAST MONTH IS NOT OVER YET

You might observe a drop in the last month's data. Keep in mind, this guide was written mid-month, so the figures for the final month only represent partial data. The full monthly performance would typically show a continuation of our growth trend.

INFO

In just under a year, our strategic application of SEO techniques led us from 425 monthly visits in January 2023 to 1690 visits in November 2023. This section delves into how we achieved this remarkable growth.

Month	Unique Visitors	Total Visits	Growth in Unique Visitors	Growth in Total Visits
Jan 2023	441	475	0.00%	0.00%
Feb 2023	358	409	-18.82%	-13.89%
Mar 2023	555	638	55.03%	55.99%
Apr 2023	487	537	-12.25%	-15.83%
May 2023	555	623	13.96%	16.02%
Jun 2023	772	865	39.10%	38.85%
Jul 2023	1020	1108	32.12%	28.09%
Aug 2023	1186	1296	16.27%	16.97%
Sep 2023	1245	1353	4.97%	4.40%
Oct 2023	1249	1400	0.32%	3.47%
Nov 2023	1527	1690	22.26%	20.71%

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Overall Growth Analysis​

From January to November 2023, in just 10 months, our journey has been nothing short of transformative. Our unique visitor count grew remarkably, indicating a substantial increase in our online presence.

CONCLUSION

In percentage terms, we witnessed an impressive overall growth in unique visitors by more than 246% and in total visits by over 256%. These numbers underscore the effectiveness of our SEO approach and the impact of diligently chosen keywords.

The Impact of SEO​

• Increased Visibility: Demonstrated through higher monthly visits.

• Better Engagement: Noted in metrics like time spent on site and bounce rate.

• Return on Investment: Highlight the cost-effectiveness of SEO strategies.

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Disclaimer

APSHAN IS NOT AN SEO AGENCY

While we at Apshan are dedicated to optimizing your pages and guiding you through the SEO maze, the selection of the perfect keywords ultimately lies in your hands. These keywords should be a core part of your strategy, reflecting your unique identity, goals, and audience.

Think of us as your supportive partners in this journey. We provide the tools, insights, and optimization techniques, but the essence of your strategy — your keywords — must resonate with who you are and what you stand for. This personal touch is what makes your SEO efforts genuinely effective and aligns your online presence with your professional aspirations.

Embarking on the journey of keyword research and SEO is a game-changer for anyone looking to enhance their online presence. As our data and experience show, the right keywords can lead to significant growth in website traffic and visibility.

Remember, the key is to find a balance between search volume and competition, and to remain adaptable as trends and algorithms evolve.

Utilize the tools like Google Keyword Planner and Google's "People Also Asked" to gather a diverse array of keywords and questions that resonate with your audience.

TIP

Don't be discouraged by the complexities of SEO; start with the basics and gradually build your knowledge.

In the ever-evolving world of SEO, continuous learning and adaptation are your best strategies.

With time and practice, you'll be able to refine your approach and see tangible results from your efforts.

Let your journey with keywords be a continuous exploration, and may it lead you to new heights of digital success.

Remember, SEO is not just about being found; it's about being discovered by the right people at the right time. Happy keyword hunting!