7 Missteps You Should Avoid in Your Keyword Research
There’s no denying the importance of keyword research. However, there are some potential keyword missteps that can leave you frustrated if you end up not seeing the results you expected. The experts from Saba SEO, a top-tier SEO company San Diego businesses trust for high-quality service and unparalleled digital marketing expertise, explain how you can boost your odds of benefiting from a successful keyword strategy by avoiding these seven keyword research mistakes.
1. Assuming You Know What Your Audience Wants
No matter how much you think you know your customers or intended audience, making assumptions about keywords isn’t going to work out well. Even if your keywords are performing fairly well for you right now, preferences and trends can affect results over time, so it’s best to do proper keyword research on a regular basis.
2. Going for Super-Obvious (and Competitive) Keywords
If you run a pizza shop, the keyword “pizza” is going to be really competitive and difficult to rank well for. Instead, look for long-tail keywords or location-specific keywords that are easier to rank for, like “Manhattan Italian pizza” or “deep dish Brooklyn pizza.”
3. Forgetting about Search Intent
Well-written content isn’t going to do you any favors if you’re not thinking about search intent. The keywords you use for people just looking for information about your business, products, or services are going to be different than what you use for searchers ready to make purchases. Think about what searchers might have in mind if they come across your content to determine which keywords should be used.
4. Relying on Irrelevant Keywords
Don’t assume potential customers or visitors to your site will be aware of industry terms or obscure references to things often referred to differently. For instance, you might call your high-quality wine glasses “elegant glassware,” but most people will search for “wine glasses.” Keyword research allows you to discover what terms or phrases people are using to find what you have to offer.
5. Not Using Keyword Variations
People don’t always type or speak search terms that match a single keyword, even one that’s fairly common. Extend your keyword research to include keyword variations, related terms, and synonyms. Keyword tools and plugins can help you generate a more diverse keyword list.
6. Not Paying Attention to Singular or Plural Keywords
While search engines can normally figure out little variations like this, the way a keyword is used can suggest intent. Generally, if someone is doing a plural search, they’re searching for general information about certain items or services. Singular terms tend to be more focused on a specific product or service.
7. Forgetting to Track Keyword Results
Even if you’re not doing paid campaigns that need keyword performance to be carefully tracked, you still need to know how your keywords are doing. Google Analytics (GA) is a handy tool you can use to do this. The Top Keywords report will show you the words and phrases search engines are associating with your content and using to find your website.
Whether you need help creating an effective keyword strategy or you’re looking for a top-tier professional firm to create high-quality SEO campaigns for your business, call on the experts from Saba SEO. We’ve been a premier provider of San Diego SEO services for fifteen years. Reach out to one of our specialists today at 858-277-1717.
