The perfect SEO plan starts with keyword research. If you have questions about how to get the most from yours, read on.

What are keywords?

• The words or phrases your clients enter into search engines
• How Google recognizes what your content is about
• The easiest way to help customers find you

Here's what your keyword research plan needs:

• A list of topics that are important to your business
• A list of words and phrases that connect to those topics (potential keywords)
• A keyword tool that will show you search volume and competition
• A link building or content strategy that will allow you to target those keywords

There are three types of keywords to consider:

• Short-tail keywords: These are one word, and generally have high search volumes. Most of the time, they’re quite difficult to rank for.
• Medium-tail keywords: The sweet spot. At 3-4 words, these generally have a lower search volume than short-tail keywords, but are easier to rank for.
• Long-tail keywords: Generally the easiest to rank for, with the lowest search volume. When used correctly, these can be a powerful weapon.

Remember: a keyword with a low search volume should make up for this by being easier to rank for. Conversely, if a keyword is a little more competitive, you’ll want it to have a higher search volume.

Does your keyword strategy need a few tweaks? Get in touch with us. We’re here to help.