Trying to find the Best Keywords? Avoid these Three Common Mistakes

Most brands would agree that including keywords in your content is important. They would probably also agree that researching what keywords to use is just as important. What you may not get the same answer on though is how to go about discovering the right phrases and words to boost your SEO rankings.

There are a million and one ways to go about keyword research. Some tactics are better than others and not all are created equal. In fact, approaching it the wrong way can actually hurt your chances of getting put to the top of the search results. Making common SEO researching mistakes wastes time, money and energy.

Here are the three most common keyword research mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. 1. 1. Researching One Time Only – One of the worst mistakes people make is completing an extensive search for the best keywords and then never doing it again. The world is a fluid place and constantly changing. So is your audience. The keywords that were relevant six months ago may be a complete waste today.
         Try this instead: Make sure to conduct keyword research often. It should be an ongoing task that becomes a regular part of your business plan. Adapt to the changes within your niche and make sure to find the best ways to incorporate what people are looking for today, not yesterday.
      2. Singular vs. Plural Form – A common mistake people make is using the plural form of a term rather than its singular form and vice versa. The form you should use will depend on the specific keyword. Where most people miss the mark is by not researching which one they should use.
         Try this instead: Take time to research your individual keywords to determine what people are using in their searches. This will give your valuable insight on whether you should use the plural or singular form of your specific keyword.
      3. Seeking Unrealistic Keywords – Some markets are highly competitive and you could be trying to compete with some pretty big contenders. It may be tempting to want to be the top search result for the broad term “marketing” but it will be nearly impossible for you to achieve it.
         Try this instead: Stay in your own lane. Rather than shooting for the stars find long tail keywords that still work well in your niche. Instead of the word “marketing”, try seeking out terms like “marketing for small service companies” or “marketing for startup businesses” instead.

Every website and blog needs to have strong keyword research backing it up. Learn more about the best ways to go about it by partnering with a professional marketing firm such as GMS. We assist our clients in creating a strong SEO strategy that gets results.  Contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation.

by Katie Zurawski