Keyword Research Tools to Help You Get Found Online
In today’s digital marketplace, visibility is key. Small businesses, perhaps more than any other type of company, rely on a strong online presence to stand out amidst the competition. That’s where keyword research tools come in — they act as your compass, guiding you to the search terms that will boost your visibility and bring in customers. Below, we highlight the best keyword research tools for small businesses in 2024.
As a small business owner or SEO beginner, harnessing these tools can result in big wins for your company’s ranking on Google and other search engines. Each tool has its own set of features and benefits, and understanding which is best for your goals and resources is paramount. Let’s dive into the world of keyword research and find the perfect tool for your business.
Google Keyword Planner
Overview
Google Keyword Planner is an AdWords tool for affiliates, advertisers, and website owners to get detailed data on a keyword’s historical performance. It’s a robust, free tool and is often the first stop for many beginners.
How to Use
To access Google Keyword Planner, set up an AdWords account and start a new campaign. Input your product or service, landing page, and your product category or target customers. The tool will provide you with keyword suggestions and search volume estimates.
Pros and Cons
The main advantage of Google Keyword Planner is its integration with AdWords, which allows for easy ad campaign planning alongside keyword research. However, its primary use case for ads could be seen as a drawback for those exclusively doing keyword research.
SEMrush
Overview
SEMrush is more than just a keyword research tool. It offers comprehensive insights into a website’s SEO, PPC, content, PR, and social media activity.
How to Use
Enter your domain into SEMrush and explore various reports like organic research, backlinks, PPC, and keyword analytics. Dive into specific keywords to understand their search volume, trends, and CPC data.
Features and Functionalities
The tool’s standout functionalities include Organic Search positions, which enable users to see exactly where their site is ranking for each keyword. Additionally, its Keyword Magic Tool provides extensive keyword suggestions.
Benefits for Small Businesses
For small businesses, SEMrush provides the depth of data needed to run an effective SEO campaign without needing a dedicated SEO specialist.
KWFinder
Overview
KWFinder focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It delves into the keywords’ competitive nature and provides a keyword difficulty score to help you find the easiest keywords to rank for.
How to Use
Simply input a keyword, choose a language and location, and KWFinder will display search volume, keyword difficulty, and related keyword suggestions.
Benefits for Small Businesses
With KWFinder, small businesses can find their niche by targeting keywords with low difficulty but high search volumes, allowing them to compete with larger entities.
Ahrefs
Overview
Ahrefs is a popular toolset for backlinks and SEO analysis that also houses a robust keyword research feature. It’s an all-in-one SEO tool that can help you with every aspect of your SEO strategy.
How to Use
In Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer, you can perform basic keyword research to understand search volume, clicks, and search trends. Moreover, you can analyze keyword difficulty to identify which keywords you have a chance to rank for.
Advantages for Small Businesses
Ahrefs‘ ‘Parent Topic’ feature is especially helpful for small businesses looking to anchor content around a central theme, improving overall website SEO.
Moz Keyword Explorer
Overview
Moz’s Keyword Explorer helps you identify and prioritize the best keyword opportunities with accuracy and precision. It also houses an expansive database that’s updated every month.
Functionality and Features
Moz’s tool provides metrics including keyword difficulty, priority, and current SERP analysis. It also includes “keyword suggestions” to help broaden your keyword pool.
Benefits for Small Businesses
Small businesses can use Moz Keyword Explorer to ensure they’re targeting not just high-traffic keywords, but keywords they have a genuine chance at ranking for.
Ubersuggest
Overview
Ubersuggest, acquired by Neil Patel, started as a simple keyword research tool but has expanded to cover various aspects of SEO, including link building and content analysis.
How to Use
Ubersuggest is a straightforward tool — just input a keyword, and it will provide you with suggestions, along with search volume and potential traffic estimates.
Advantages for Small Businesses
Its ease of use, combined with a user-friendly interface, makes Ubersuggest a top pick for small business owners who want a quick and free keyword tool.
Rank Math
Overview
Rank Math is a WordPress plugin that provides an easy-to-use interface to optimize content for search engines. It’s especially tailored for businesses with an online presence through their websites.
Key Features and Functionalities
In addition to keyword research, Rank Math includes on-page SEO analysis, link management, and social media integration, all from within your WordPress dashboard.
Advantages for Small Businesses
Rank Math’s integration within WordPress makes it an essential tool for businesses running on this platform. The on-page recommendations are particularly useful for those not familiar with SEO best practices.
SEMRUSH
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a must for your marketing strategy!
Using the Best Keyword Research Tools
Keyword research is an integral part of any small business’s SEO strategy. As search engines become more sophisticated, understanding the tools at your disposal can be the difference between being found or getting lost online.
Each of these keyword research tools has unique features that cater to different needs and preferences. By understanding your business goals, audience, and the type of content you want to create, you can identify the best tool for your specific case.
Exploring these keyword research tools is an excellent next step if you are ready to ramp up your keyword research game and see real results in your search engine rankings. Remember, it’s not just about finding keywords; it’s about finding the right keywords that will act as a light for your potential customers to find you on the busy internet.
Ready to take charge of your online presence and SEO? Visit the blog for more insights, or why not let me take the hard work off your hands? Contact me today and get started on your journey to SEO success!
