How to Choose the Right Keywords for Your Business and Attract More Visitors
One of the first things we in Enterprising IT do when starting to work on a client’s web presence is investigate what keywords are right for them.
Choosing the right keywords can make all the difference in helping customers find you online. By identifying the terms people actually use when searching for products or services like yours, you can attract more relevant visitors, increase conversions, and ultimately grow your business.
This doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are some simple tips to help you decide what keywords are right for you, and links and advice on a FREE keyword research tool.
Tip 1: Start with Common Sense
If you’re a damp and woodworm specialist in Northampton, it makes sense to include words like “damp,” “woodworm,” and “Northampton” in your website. These basic terms signal to search engines—and to potential customers—what your business is about and where it’s located.
Tip 2: Think Like Your Customers
It’s not just about sprinkling in a few obvious keywords. People don’t typically type very generic phrases like “damp woodworm Northampton.” Instead, they search the way they think, focusing on specific problems or questions. For example, a homeowner dealing with moisture issues might type:
- “How do I fix damp walls?”
- “Damp proofing specialist near me”
- “Damp survey cost in Northampton”
Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Consider what they’d actually type into Google when they need help with a damp problem or other related issues.
Tip 3: Move Beyond the Basics with Keyword Tools
To refine your keyword strategy, you can use a variety of online tools. One of the simplest, most powerful, and free resources is the Keyword Surfer plugin for Google Chrome. You can download it here:
Keyword Surfer on Chrome Web Store
What does Keyword Surfer do?
Each time you search, Keyword Surfer displays how often others have searched for that exact term. It also provides related keyword suggestions, giving you insight into what people are really looking for and helping you focus on the terms that matter most.
For instance, if you search for “damp specialist,” Keyword Surfer might show that the phrase receives around 1,900 searches per month in the UK. It will also suggest related terms, such as “damp proofing” or “damp coursing,” along with their search volumes. In this way, you might discover that “damp proofing” is searched far more often than “damp specialist,” guiding you to prioritize that term on your website.
Set Your Location
Before you start your keyword research, check your location settings. Keyword popularity can vary significantly by region, so choosing the right country or city ensures the data you see is relevant to your local audience.
Refine Your Strategy
Don’t stop at one or two keywords. Experiment with variations and related searches—try “damp survey,” “damp proofing specialist,” or “damp proofing Northampton”—to see which phrases might bring the most traffic. Keep track of your findings by making notes or using Keyword Surfer’s built-in “clipboard” feature to save your most promising terms.
Look at What’s Already Working
Keyword Surfer also highlights which websites are already ranking well for your chosen terms. Visit these sites to see what kind of content they provide. How do they structure their information? What topics do they cover in detail? This research can inspire improvements to your own pages, ensuring you offer even more valuable information than your competitors.
Take Action and Keep Experimenting
Once you’ve identified the strongest keywords, integrate them naturally into your content. Update your headlines, product descriptions, blog posts, and FAQs to reflect the terms people are searching for. And remember that keyword research is not a one-and-done task—it’s an ongoing process. As your industry changes or as seasons shift, so do the popular search terms.
Tip 4: Get Help If You Need It
Keyword research can seem daunting at first, but it becomes easier with practice. If you’d like more guidance, feel free to contact us at enquiries@enterprisingit.co.uk. We’re here to help you navigate the world of keyword optimization, so you can connect with more visitors and grow your business online.
