5 Ways to Find Keywords That Increase Traffic & Visibility

Over the past 4 weeks, I’ve had meetings with business owners and CEOs of local businesses on the topic of showing up on the first page of search results.

The need to view search engine optimization, or SEO as a strategic marketing practice has grown so that you can’t really get through a day without hearing about showing up on the first page of Google, understanding the exact phrases people use to search for the products, services, information, answers and solutions that lead to them becoming your customer.

Now, the thing that most small business owners miss is how keyword research leads to first-page search results which increases your website traffic, which increases brand awareness and leads to higher sales and profits.

Keyword Research That Increases Traffic & Visibility

#1. Brainstorm on Your Own

It’s always a good idea to start by brainstorming on your own. You know your business and what you offer to your customers

#2. Google Auto-suggest & related

Go to Google and start typing into the search box, you may notice that Google starts suggesting terms related to what you are typing

#3. Google Keyword Planner

This is a free tool that allows you to check the size of the audience you’ll be able to reach with each keyword, plus how competitive it is

#4. Research Boards and Forum

Almost every industry has a handful of active bulletin boards and forums that people turn to in search of information and conversation

#5. Ask Your Customers

Ask your customers “What would you Google to find a service like ours?” or “What search terms ultimately led you to our business?”

Keyword research can be very complex and confusing — if the person selling SEO services wants it to be.

But, in reality, anyone with a basic understanding of (A) their business, (B) their ideal client and (C) the problems they solve can conduct effective keyword research with the steps in the graphic.