SEO Free Keyword Research in 3 Steps for E-commerce
Effective keyword research is fundamental to achieving success in e-commerce. Knowing what potential customers are searching for can significantly enhance your site’s visibility and improve sales. Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank for effective keyword research. Here’s a practical guide to free keyword research in three straightforward steps.
Step 1: Utilize Free Keyword Research Tools
Start by exploring various free keyword research tools available online. Here are some popular options:
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Google Keyword Planner: While primarily designed for advertisers, this tool provides valuable insights into keyword ideas, search volume, and competition levels. You will need a Google Ads account, but you don’t have to run ads to use the tool.
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Ubersuggest: This tool allows you to enter a keyword, and it will generate related keyword suggestions, search volume, and SEO difficulty. The free version offers a generous number of searches each day.
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Answer the Public: This tool visualizes search queries and provides a comprehensive list of questions and phrases that people are asking related to a particular keyword. It’s an excellent way to discover long-tail keywords that have lower competition.
When using these tools, make sure to conduct searches related to your products or services. Look for keywords with a balance of high search volume and manageable competition, focusing on the specifics of what your e-commerce store offers.
Step 2: Analyze Competitor Keywords
Understanding what keywords your competitors rank for can give you valuable insights into gaps in the market and opportunities for your e-commerce store. Here’s how to approach this analysis:
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Use Free Tools for Competitive Research:
- SEMrush: Each account usually offers a limited number of free searches. Enter your competitor’s URL to discover the keywords they’re ranking for and their corresponding search volumes.
- Moz: While the full suite is paid, Moz offers a free keyword explorer that can give insights into competitors’ keyword strategies.
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Examine Organic Traffic: Look for competitors that are ranking well for your target keywords. You’ll want to view their meta descriptions, headings, and overall site structure to understand how they’re appealing to both users and search engines.
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Identify Long-Tail Keywords: Focus on long-tail keywords that your competitors may be overlooking. These are typically less competitive and can yield highly targeted traffic, leading to increased conversion rates.
Step 3: Create a Keyword List and Prioritize
Once you’ve gathered a robust list of potential keywords, it’s time to categorize and prioritize them for your e-commerce strategy. Follow these steps:
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Segment Keywords by Relevance: Organize your keywords into specific categories or themes such as product types, user intent (informational, navigational, transactional), or customer pain points.
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Assign Metrics: For each keyword, note down metrics like search volume, competition level, and relevance to your target audience. This can help you quickly identify which keywords are worth focusing on.
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Prioritize Based on Goals: Depending on your e-commerce goals—whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving traffic to specific product pages, or enhancing conversions—prioritize keywords accordingly. Focus on a mix of high-volume, low-competition keywords and more specific keywords that align with your overall business objectives.
By following these three practical steps, e-commerce businesses can efficiently conduct free keyword research, laying a strong foundation for an effective SEO strategy. This approach not only supports better visibility but also enhances the overall user experience, leading to higher conversion rates.
