How are you doing with your on-page optimization efforts?

If you say not too well, you need to know that without on-page SEO, your off-page efforts won’t do much good. Now, if you’ve decided to prioritize on-page SEO more, it’s good to understand which elements will improve your website’s performance in the search results.

One of those elements is content, which should be optimized for both search engines and your target audience. To do that, you have to do quite a bit of research and that includes looking for relevant keywords.

That said, here are 5 keyword research tips that can help improve your on-page SEO strategy.

1. Go Local

If you’re familiar with local SEO, you know that the majority of mobile users will contact or visit listed stores first, thanks to the power of “near me” searches. What that means is if you’re targeting local buyers, you need to focus on localized keywords and phrases.

You can start by building your keyword list with terms that include your exact location, for example, “Nashville heating and cooling” or “Nashville HVAC repair.” Don’t forget nearby cities if your service these areas as well.

2. Understand Search Intent

When building your list of keywords for search engine optimization, don’t only consider what your target customers are searching for. You also have to take into account why they are searching for them in the first place.

This is where user or search intent comes in. Do the people who come to your page want to make a purchase? Maybe, they’re only looking for information or they’re checking out your website so they can buy something later on. Categorize your keywords so you can provide different users with relevant content.

3. Use the Right Tools

You can do keyword research manually, or you can make use of free and paid tools. These include Google Keyword Planner, Google suggestions, AnswerThePublic, and so on.

Now, if you’re not sure if you should pay to use a keyword research tool, consider your business needs. If you don’t have a lot of time and effort to invest in keyword research, a paid tool or any other top-rated SEO tool for that matter is worth considering.

4. Know What Works for Your Competitors

So your website or blog isn’t on the top of search engine results for the keywords or phrases you want to rank for, but your competitors are. You can analyze what they’re doing and figure out where you could do better.

Tip: Some SEO tools can help make competitor analysis easier.

If you use one of these tools, you can build a list of keywords and phrases that your competitors may have overlooked. This is your chance to develop content that targets those terms.

5. Learn the Best Keyword Research Tips From the Experts

SEO is an ever-evolving field, and you can’t expect keyword research to stay the same year after year. If you want to keep updated on the latest ways to do keyword research, your best bet is to work with an SEO consultant or a digital marketing agency.

Beyond keyword research, these experts can help you with your site structure and other SEO elements that can help boost your website’s visibility. Plus, they can also help you with social media efforts and PPC strategy.

Need Help with Keyword Research?

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