Keywords Research: A 7 step-by-step guide for beginners

As a beginner in online business, be it blogging, Vlogging, or affiliate marketing, the importance of keywords, cannot be over-emphasized, let alone the tools to used to get them. Having already introduced you to the best tools to use in keyword research, this post offers you step-by-step guidance for performing a keyword search in any niche.

Keywords: what are they and why are they important?

“Keyword” is a term used to refer to words or phrases associated with subjects, documents, or moments, that people enter into a search engine to find the information they’re looking for.

As such, keywords can be used to either initiate exploratory searches or search for specific information in either the title, or in the subject, in write-ups, in documents, and for internet searches. If a visitor’s search keywords match the keywords on your niche site, your site has a higher chance of appearing in the search results

This means that keywords are indispensable in any online business targeting a specific audience/niche because search engines depend on them to help the visitor/user to locate which product/brand/service he/she is looking for. Thus, Keywords can be described as the heart of search engines.

The importance of keywords hinges on the fact that Advertisers/Merchants/ Companies with online stores as well as Publishers/Affiliates meet their audiences through the provision of information about their products/services/brands.
The written information provided by the advertisers/merchants/companies with online stores as well as publishers/affiliates is referred to as the content

Depending on the niche, the content should be written with a clear understanding of what the target audience will be searching for, which questions they are asking, and which could be the possible answers to their problems!! The words, phrases, and questions that visitors use to search for the products/brands/services, are what constitute keywords.

So, when developing content for your niche websites, figure out what your audience may be asking and how they phrase their questions, etc. This should help you to generate good keywords and definitely, good content. Thus, a good keyword can make your content so visible that you can reach millions of people in just a few minutes.

The key question is, how does one find suitable keywords?? What are the best tools to use and what are the steps to follow? If you have these or more similar questions, do not look elsewhere, continue reading.

Before attempting to provide answers to these questions, I must point out that identifying suitable keywords has always been a difficult task for all of us. It requires one to not only use good tools, but also to know which valuable steps to undertake in the process of generating good keywords and leading to high-ranking content.

Here are a few steps to follow for effective keyword research, and I will illustrate how to follow them using the Smart Agriculture niche

STEP 1: Understand your niche

Before starting the keyword research process, you must understand your niche market. A thorough niche research will enable you to know whether your niche is not only profitable, but that it is also evergreen, and with the potential to generate traffic.

Once it is clear to you who your target audience is, you can put together an initial list of search terms [words, & phrases] that your target audience may use to find any of the products/brands/services within the scope of your niche website. This list will constitute what is known as the intents of your possible visitors.

STEP 2: Start with a broad topic using free keyword search tools

There are many keyword research tools available which you can use to generate some profitable keywords from your seed word. However, before using advanced tools, it is advisable to start your search on Google using the alphabet soup technique to understand what users/visitors are searching for.

As you see from the screenshot, google provides other suggestions, where you can pick more search terms, with the intent of developing good content for your audience.

From this search intent, you can also see that such keywords as:

  • 1) Smart Agriculture practices,
  • 2) Smart Agriculture system,
  • 3) Smart Agriculture using IoT,
  • 4) Smart Agriculture systems using IoT, and
  • 5) Smart Agriculture Technology

provide insight into what your potential audience could be looking for, especially in terms of information and then later the equipment necessary to implement smart farming.

Now, with the alphabet soup technique, you simply type each letter of the alphabet after the word agriculture and see what google adds to the list. Then select what makes sense. I will illustrate with two letters of the English alphabet i.e., a & b.

By adding a letter to your search term, such as “smart agriculture a,” you can find more variations in potential searches, as shown.. The same is true when you go to b, instead of a. As you see, we may add to our list above such keyword phrases as:

  • 1) Smart Agriculture applications,
  • 2) Smart Agriculture advantages,
  • 3) Smart Agriculture and IoT,
  • 4) Smart Agriculture architecture,
  • 5) Smart Agriculture ai,
  • 6) Smart Agriculture and climate change,
  • 7) Smart Agriculture based on IoT,
  • 8) Smart Agriculture benefits, and
  • 9) Smart Agriculture based on IoT and machine learning,

among others. You can continue doing the same for other letters and see how far you can go with the development of various ideas which should help you to generate good content that answers the queries of your audience.

Another valuable tool to give you broad keywords for your niche is leveraging the power of AI tools such as ChartGPT, from OpenAI or Googles Bard, [if you are living in either USA or UK where it is currently being tested].

OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence research laboratory that conducts AI research with the declared intention of promoting and developing a friendly AI. A free version is available and its services can be freely sourced. Let me illustrate with ChartGPT how one can leverage the power of AI to generate keyword ideas: [https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt]. But you may be asking yourself what the hassle is with chartgpt.

Simply stated, ChartGPT is an AI tool that interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes possible for ChartGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, and challenge incorrect premises, and inappropriate requests.

To use this tool, go to the OpenAI website and click on try ChartGPT icon. It will direct you to another open window where you will be directed to two prompts: either login or Sign up. If you do not have an account with them then click on sign up to open one. If you already have, then log in and continue.

After opening up an account and logging in, this is what I asked ChartGPT, in the dialogue box below:

Can you suggest 20 keywords for the “Smart Agriculture” niche? ChartGPT responded thus;

Certainly! Here are 20 keywords related to the “Smart Agriculture” niche:

  1. Precision farming
  2. Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture
  3. Agricultural sensors
  4. Crop monitoring
  5. Soil health
  6. Data analytics in agriculture
  7. Farm automation
  8. Agricultural drones
  9. Greenhouse technology
  10. Livestock monitoring
  11. Agricultural robots
  12. Climate-smart agriculture
  13. Smart irrigation
  14. Sustainable farming
  15. Vertical farming
  16. Remote monitoring systems
  17. AgTech
  18. Crop yield optimization
  19. Agricultural forecasting
  20. Digital farming.

I hope these keywords are helpful for you!

As you can see, ChartGPT has added other keywords, and it is doing so within just a few seconds!! So you may combine these suggestions with those generated using the alphabet soup technique in Google. Now you are having quite many suggested keywords and you are set for another very important step: brainstorming.

STEP 3: Brainstorm related terms:

From the broad keywords related to your niche that have been generated using the techniques explained above, group both the terms and phrases that are related to your broad topic (niche) in categories. The categories could be such terms for informational content, product review content, and product promotion/sales content. The backdrop of all this brainstorming is to identify the products or services to offer, as well as the problems you will be solving for your customers.

As you can notice, both AI-generated keywords and those generated using the alphabet soup technique on google, show that Smart Agriculture is highly linked to IoT, AI, and machine learning technologies. If you are an affiliate/publisher, this should give you a strong link and an opportunity to explain to your audience how these technologies operate to make agriculture indeed smart. I think you are starting to see how this process is crucial. Keep on reading.

STEP 4: Use keyword research tools

By this time you should have identified seed keywords that are in all intent, broad, and you are now set to refine your seed keywords to the level where you can come nearer to the specific search terms that your audience may be searching for. For this activity, you need the services of a good keyword search tool.

There are several keyword research tools available that can help you optimize your broad seed keywords and also generate additional keyword ideas. In addition, these tools can provide you with information on the average monthly search volume, competition, search engine optimization [SEO], and related terms. Some popular keyword research tools include Google Keyword Planner, Jaaxy, SEMrush, and Ubersuggest, among others.

As you can see from the graph, Jaaxy, SEMrush, and Ubsersuggest, have the same score on TustPilot, meaning that they are trusted keyword search tools. Each of these tools has its strength and weakness, but depending on what you are interested in most, may override what choice you would make.

However, if you are an affiliate/publisher, I will highly recommend you Jaaxy Keyword research tool. Jaaxy is the only keyword and research platform that was developed by affiliate marketers FOR affiliate marketers.

Notably, the Jaaxy keyword tool combines keyword research and a host of other benefits, that enables an affiliate, whether a beginner or a guru, to grow your online business.

If you want to know more about this keyword research tool and what separates it from the rest, I direct you to my post where I introduce Jaaxy as a keyword research tool and also my Jaaxy review.

For illustration, let us see how Jaaxy can help us refine our seed keywords: Let’s take “Smart Agriculture Architecture ” as our chosen seed keyword and analyze it in Jaaxy.

As you can see, a number of keywords, some of which are related to the seed keyword, are generated by Jaaxy, with a complete analysis of the suitability of each. The average search volume per month is provided, as traffic, the quality of the keywords, and SEO analysis, among others, are also provided. If your keyword is great it will be colored green, normal, yellow, and if poor red. Here you will in no time discover whether your keyword (s) will rank high or low in search engines.

Once a host of keywords has been generated, then you can go through the list and identify those which are within your niche and select them. The monthly average search volume [Avg], the Quoted search results [QSR], and Search engine Organization [SEO] analysis values should guide you in selecting quality keywords.

In our example “Smart Agricultural Architecture” you can see that I managed to get 7 more keywords. Also, notable is that the seed keyword is itself also among the great!! With an Avg of 40, a QSR of 66, and an SEO of 93; this keyword is not only great but it also faces less competition.

As a guide, good keywords should have a QSR score of 100 and below or slightly higher but not exceeding 150, and an SEO score of above 70%. And as you can see, all of the 7 keywords fall within the acceptable scores.

STEP 5: Convert broad keywords to long-tail Keywords

Simply stated, long-tail keywords are longer phrases that are more specific and targeted than broad keywords. Normally, these keywords have a lower search volume but can be easier to rank for and may attract more qualified leads. For example, ” smart agriculture cloud using ai based techniques ” is a long-tail keyword that may be more effective than the broader keyword ” Smart Agriculture ai.”

STEP 6: Use keyword variations:

Continue to widen your scope of possible keywords following your continued understanding of what could be the possible intent of your audience. You may do this by using variations of your keywords, such as synonyms or related terms. Try this strategy and see the outcome.

STEP 7: Use keyword modifiers:

Modifiers make the keywords more specific and hence targeted. Typical examples of modifiers are such terms as “best,” “top,” “cheap,” or “free”, among others. So, add modifiers to your keywords and you will not only make them more specific but they will also be more targeted. For example, “best smart agriculture cloud using ai based techniques” is a more specific and targeted keyword than ” Smart Agriculture ai.”

Conclusion

Keywords are the heartbeat of search engines and hence are indispensable in the day-to-day running of online businesses. I have provided a guide to use when performing keyword research. I have also provided guidance concerning one of the best keyword research tools for keywords research. However, this guidance is not exhaustive, although it is a good starting point. Get these tips first and then as you advance, you may add on others.

I hope you have enjoyed reading these seven guidelines and if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the box below and you will be answered within 24 hours.

Thank you.

Cheers

Joseph Hawumba

12 thoughts on “Keywords Research: A 7 step-by-step guide for beginners”

  1. This post on keyword research is handy and instructive, providing a step-by-step tutorial for beginners.
    The author delineates each stage clearly and concisely, making it simple to follow and comprehend.
    The value of the text is further increased by using real-world examples and screenshots, which show readers how the theories and techniques covered may be used in actual situations.
    The focus on the importance of understanding user intent when conducting keyword research is one aspect of this post that stands out. It draws attention to the significance of selecting keywords most relevant to the target audience rather than just choosing high-volume keywords.
    I would love to hear the author’s thoughts on the importance of regularly updating and refreshing keyword research to ensure the content remains relevant and competitive over time.

    Reply
    • Hi, Miki, thank you so much for adding your voice in support of this post. Indeed keywords form the heartbeats of search engines and care must be taken to avoid making mistakes. Concerning importance of regularly updating and refreshing keyword research, my thought is in support of this activity. Before embarking on conducting major revisions of your posts, check your keyword once again and find out if they are still as relevant as when you first wrote it. If it requires to update them, kindly do so such that your information remains relevant and timely. Once again, thank you very much.

      the regularly 

      Reply
  2. This keyword research essay is useful and instructional, with a step-by-step explanation for novices. The author clearly and simply delineates each level, making it easy to follow and grasp. The text’s usefulness is strengthened further by utilizing real-world examples and screenshots that illustrate readers how the ideas and practices taught may be used in real-world circumstances. One feature of this piece that jumps out is the emphasis on the need of understanding user intent while performing keyword research. I will definitly share this amazing post.

    Reply
    • Hi, Dimanka, thank you so much for this comment. Indeed, understanding user intent is a very critical step in successful keyword research. This not only applies to newbies but also to experts. Thank you, once again.

      Reply
  3. Thank you for writing such a comprehensive guide on keyword research. As a beginner in online business, I found your article to be incredibly informative and helpful. Your step-by-step approach, especially the use of the alphabet soup technique, is a great way to generate keywords and understand what potential audiences are searching for.

    I also appreciate your emphasis on the importance of understanding your niche and target audience. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of what your audience is searching for and how they phrase their questions, which would ultimately help generate good keywords and content.

    Reply
    • Hi, Anoth, thank you for such an insightful comment. Understanding your audience’s search intent is critical in keyword research and ultimately in creating relevant content. With the tools available and this knowledge, coming up with content which ranks in search engines is guaranteed. Once again, thank you very much.

      Reply
  4. I vividly remember my early days struggling to grasp the significance of keywords and how they impact online visibility. Your clear explanations and practical tips would have been a game-changer back then! The emphasis on understanding the audience’s intent and weaving relevant keywords seamlessly into content is a gem of advice. I’ve personally seen the transformative power of well-researched keywords in driving targeted traffic. Your guide not only simplifies the process but also highlights the crucial connection between keywords and delivering value to readers. Kudos for demystifying this crucial aspect of digital marketing – you’re making it much easier for beginners to embark on their keyword journey with confidence!

    Reply
    • Thank you, Dave, for this additional information. Surely, when done with audience’s intent in sight, keywords become a valuable asset to writing valuable content. Once again, thank you

      Reply
  5. A brilliant article, especially if you are new to the world of keywords, as I am. I appreciate finding keywords has always been a crucial aspect of any search or research endeavor. However, it’s important to acknowledge for beginners, that this seemingly straightforward task can often prove to be unexpectedly complex. This article looks to remove that complexity and help make me feel that bit more confident that it is do-able with the right approach and tools. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi, Jessica, I am happy that this article is helpful to you. Not only beginners that find it hard to perform keywords research and generate competitive keywords. Even gurus find it a bit challenging. But with the right approach and tools, one can succeed. Follow this approach and the tools, you will find keywords research a lot easier. Thank you, once again.

      Reply
  6. Regarding Keywords Research, this post provide a useful guide for those interested in the study of how to do profitable  keyword research. Besides, it emphasizes that keywords play an important role in every aspect of online business including: advertising, blog posts, YouTube videos, and affiliate marketing, among others. It’s a step by step guide on the efficient research of keywords across niche markets, which is perfect for newcomers. When visitors/users are searching for information about any products, brands, and services, keywords play an important role. Moreover, having relevant keywords makes it easier for your content to be seen and to reach the targeted audience searching for content that answers their questions. This is a very useful post to anyone, especially the newbies, learning the art of generating relevant keywords. To any newbie out there, I see this post as helpful and a must read. Thank you very much, Joseph, for this post.

    Reply
    • Liam, thank you for highlighting the important tenets of this post. Keyword are the center of quality content and if one learns how to find them, it will a good start to building traffic to his/her website. Thank you, once again.

      Reply

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