Keywords are like a compass, it directs the content to where it should go. It aids you to figure out the thoughts and desire of the target market.

Keyword research is one of the foundations of search engine optimization (SEO). Without these keywords, there will be no search engine optimization (SEO). Although some users have disregarded the essence of keywords because search engines are seeking into more factors when analyzing pages to rank. However, just like any other factors, if the right keywords are utilized, the website can still attain high rankings.

Here are five techniques on how to research the appropriate keywords:

Recognize the prospective customers

Prior to making the list of target keywords, determine first the prospective customers and what they are searching for when searching online for the products or services. Know two buyer personas for the main target buyers. Think of the products or services and have an idea of the keywords the audience will use to find the products.

Analyze the target keywords

Look for the keywords that will interest the searchers, there are several search engine optimization (SEO) tools that can aid with the keyword research. The search engines can show the most frequently searched terms as soon as when you start typing in the keywords in the query box. Go through the keyword list you have made, and select those keywords that have a decent monthly search volume and a high value of Cost per Click (CPC). Use the keywords that are relatively high in the search volume are less competitive.

Those long-tail keywords are better than the broad keywords, keywords that have more than five words drive less than half the volume of clicks and impressions on average.

Analyze the keywords of the winning competitor

To outrank the competitor is the whole goal of search engine optimization (SEO). Prior to outrank the competitor, recognize who they are and how they rank the keywords. There are a search engine optimization (SEO) tools that can analyze the rankings of particular keywords and the competition.

Rank for Special Features

Search engines have added some features at the top of their Search Engine Results Page (SERP). At the top search pages on the search engines, instant answers, answer box, featured snippets, reviews and media are shown. It should be your goal to have a page listed on the search engine’s answer box.

Keywords in the right places

Single-word keywords or multi-word keywords are placed in the Meta titles, descriptions, headings, and on the written content of the webpage. A gentle reminder that each web page on the website should be optimized, have a goal of two to three keywords each page. Writing content should be carefully planned out on which keywords should be used, and how it would be used for maximum readability and search.

Do not ultimately rely on keyword planners, it only shows keywords that are intimately associated with the keyword you gave. It is best to identify the niche topics.