Embarking on a keyword research journey can feel like navigating through uncharted territory, filled with anticipation and potential challenges that can make or break your digital marketing efforts. This is what we call the square zero experience, and if you’re in the process of building a keyword glossary for your campaigns, you might be right in the middle of it.
While a comprehensive overview of keyword strategies is beneficial, let’s dive into the essential starting point: keyword research. This foundational step is crucial for laying the groundwork for your SEO endeavors. To help you navigate this unexplored terrain, here are five survival tips for square zero keyword research.
5 Essential Keyword Research Tips for SEO Survival
#1 – Develop Your Structure
Just like mapping out a safe route through a treacherous cave system, having a structured approach to documenting and organizing your keywords is vital. Detailed data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and competition will guide your decision-making process and prioritize your efforts. At TopRank, we rely on keyword glossaries to track and analyze these critical attributes.
#2 – Know the Obstacles
Understanding the SEO landscape in your industry is akin to preparing for extreme conditions on an expedition. Knowing who your competitors are, where the whitespace opportunities lie, and which keywords they are targeting will inform your strategy. Identify strategic keywords that align with your goals and differentiate you from the competition.
#3 – Understand How You Will Be Found
Keywords are your beacon for discoverability in a sea of search results. Consider your target audience’s buyer journey and align your keyword research with your brand’s messaging and identity. Ensure that every keyword resonates with your audience’s needs and intent across their decision-making process.
#4 – Know the Angles
Just as adjusting your course in the ocean to reach safety, your keyword strategy should have a clear direction. While multiple keywords may be valuable, they should all point towards a common goal. Understanding search intent is key to targeting relevant keywords that align with your audience’s needs and motivations.
#5 – Understand the Value & Purpose of a Mirror
Focus on external data and insights rather than internal assumptions when conducting keyword research. Use objective information on search behaviors, algorithm trends, and keyword analysis to optimize your strategy. Prioritize your customers’ search intent over your own desires to ensure your keyword research aligns with their needs and preferences.
By following these survival tips for square zero keyword research, you can enhance your SEO strategy and increase your chances of success. To dive deeper into thriving in the modern SEO landscape, download our ebook, Marketing with Intent: A Guide to the Future of SEO and Qualified B2B Traffic.
About the author
Nick Nelson is our friendly neighborhood writer-man. As the Associate Content Director at TopRank Marketing, he is on a mission to energize brand narratives with smart, fun, sharp wordplay. In his free time, Nick enjoys basking in the misery of Minnesota sports fandom, making cringeworthy puns, and smothering all types of food in buffalo sauce.