Have you been asked for a list of keywords for your website? Instead of brain-dumping a long list of random, unrelated words, take these 3 considerations into account to help trim this list down to one that will achieve results for you!
Considerations:
- Avoid jargon – unless your customers regularly use it
- Intent – what are they actually looking for when they type this into Google?
- Content – remember that we will need at least 1 page on your website that addresses each keyword.
When I ask you for a list of keywords for your website, it’s because I want to make sure that your site is being found by the right people. It’s not just about picking random words that sound good – it’s about choosing terms that genuinely reflect what your potential customers are searching for. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make those choices smartly and effectively.
Why Keyword Choice Matters
Not all keywords are created equal. Sometimes, businesses send me long lists of keywords that aren’t actually helpful because they’re too vague, too technical, or just not relevant. The goal here isn’t to rank for every word related to your industry. Instead, it’s to rank for the words that potential customers would actually type when they’re looking for your services.
Three Key Factors to Consider:
- Language: Make sure your keywords are in the language of your customers, not just industry insiders. If your list is full of technical terms, it’s time to rethink.
- Intent: Ask yourself, if someone typed this keyword into Google, would they be looking for your services? Sometimes, terms that seem related might just be attributes of a product rather than a search for a business like yours.
- Content Match: If your website doesn’t have a page or content related to the keyword, Google won’t know to rank you for it. Always ensure your chosen keywords align with existing or planned content on your site.
How to Come Up with Good Keywords
- Start with Personas: Think about your ideal customers and what they would search for. If you have personas already, revisit them. If not, imagine what your typical customer might be thinking when they’re looking for you.
- Use Google: Type your keyword ideas into Google to see what comes up. This step helps you understand what Google thinks the term means. Take note of auto-suggestions and related searches as they can spark better ideas.
- Check the Results: After typing in your keyword, look at the results. Are the pages listed actually similar to your business? If not, the keyword might not be right.
- Focus on Relevance: It’s better to have a handful of highly relevant keywords rather than a long list of loosely related ones. Most small businesses benefit more from a few strong keywords than from spreading efforts too thin.
Final Thoughts
The 80-20 rule (or even 90-10) applies here. A small number of keywords will often drive the majority of your traffic. Focus on choosing the right ones that clearly connect your business with what potential customers are actually looking for.
If you follow these tips, you’ll end up with a targeted list of keywords that work hard for your business. Got questions? Let me know!