What Are Keywords? How to Brainstorm Keywords for your Google Ranking

Whether you have been researching Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for a while or are just starting your journey, you have probably seen the term “keyword” thrown around as being important to your SEO ranking. But what exactly is a keyword?
A keyword is a word or phrase used in SEO and Pay Per Click advertising to help your website or page rank higher in search engines. These words or phrases tell search engines what a web page is about. You can think of keywords as being one of the main keys to your Google ranking.
Keywords should be inserted throughout your website, including in your title, headings, URL, body text, and the alt text of the images on your website.

How to Brainstorm Keywords for your Google Ranking

Use Google to Find Keywords

Now that you how important keywords are, you know you need to incorporate them into your marketing content plans. But if you don’t have a professional keyword search account, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to find the right keywords.
So let’s start with the basics: Google.
Google the first words you can think of that are relevant to your business and see what websites come up in the actual search. Are they good, user-friendly websites? Are they relevant?
Then look back at the Google results. At the bottom of the page you should see “Searches related to [whatever it is you searched].” Look at these terms and phrases and pick from these to find more possible keywords and keyword phrases.

Long-tail Keywords Are Key

Keywords do not always have to be just one word, they can also be a few words strung together in what is called a keyword phrase. In fact, using a keyword phrase instead of a keyword is often preferable because there is generally less competition the more specific your keyword or keyword phrase is.
When coming up with keywords, it is recommended you start with brainstorming the broadest, generalized keywords you can think of, then take those keywords and making keyword phrases out of them.
For example, let’s say your business is an optometry office. You can start your search for keywords simply by typing “optometry” into Google. From there you can see that in searches related to “optometry” “optometry near me” is a keywords phrase. You can then click on “optometry near me” to search it and once again see more related searches at the bottom of Google’s search page.

Think Like Your Clients

One thing that many professionals get wrong when they are initially trying to implement keywords is thinking too much like professionals within their industry and thus using keywords that other professionals would use to search the latest research. Not their clients.
Maybe you have a new device in the office that can help you treat your clients, but your potential clients are not going to be researching that device. More likely, they will be using Google to search for their ailments. Likewise, they will be searching for professionals in your area, so be sure to consider the name of your city or town as part of your keywords.

Now that you know what keywords are, save yourself the trouble!

All of these methods can work to help you find keywords, but there is no substitute for professionals who have access to advanced keyword tools. You can buy access to advanced keyword tools yourself as well, but if you own or manage a small business it may not be worth it to pay for an expensive keyword finder tool when you are only managing one website.
Instead, you might consider turning to the professionals at iMatrix for help. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, call 888.719.0733.

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