Get Noticed Online: A Beginners Guide to Keyword Types

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I have had to become more familiar with keywords as I have learned more about SEO and why they are important. This is a simple overview of the various types. As you master tags, permalinks, and more, you will use these more to attract search results to your business. At SideHustle360HQ our goal is to provide you relevant information and insights.

Why is understanding this important? BrightEdge research indicates that search engines are the starting point for 68% of online experiences.

What are Basic SEO Keyword Types?

Search Volume

1. “Running shoes”
2. “Digital camera”
3. “Vegan recipes”
4. “Cheap flights”
5. “Fitness tips”

These are broad, general terms that people might use when searching for something online. While they can be effective in driving traffic to your website, they often have a lot of competition, making it difficult to rank highly in the search results.

Long-Tail

These are more specific phrases that are made up of several words. They are highly targeted, and often have less competition. This means that if you can effectively target long-tail keywords, you have a better chance of ranking highly in the search results and driving highly qualified traffic to your website.

Examples of Long-Tail Keywords

1. “Best trail running shoes for women”
2. “Nikon digital camera reviews”
3. “Easy vegan recipes for beginners”
4. “Cheap flights to Paris in June”
5. “Fitness tips for people with bad knees”

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between keywords and long-tail keywords:

Long-Tail Keywords and How They are Used

What are the 4 Types?

1. Competition

Known as competitor keywords, are specific keywords that are relevant to your industry or niche and are targeted by your competitors. By identifying and targeting these keywords in your content, you can gain insights into your competitors’ strategies and potentially attract their audience. Here are some examples of competition keywords:

Examples:

1. “Best [competitor name] alternatives” – This targets users who are researching alternatives to your competitors’ products or services.
2. “[Competitor name] reviews” – This targets users who are looking for reviews or comparisons of your competitors’ offerings.
3. “[Competitor name] pricing” – This targets users who are interested in comparing the pricing of your competitors’ products or services.
4. “[Competitor name] vs [your brand name]” – This targets users who are directly comparing your brand with a specific competitor.
5. “Is [competitor name] worth it?” – This targets users who are seeking opinions or evaluations of your competitors’ offerings.
6. “[Competitor name] coupon codes” – This targets users who are looking for discounts or promotional codes related to your competitors’ products or services.

When it comes to optimizing your content for competition keywords, it’s important to strategically incorporate them in various areas of your website and content. Here are some key places where you can put these keywords:

Placement

1. Page Titles: Include in the titles of your web pages, blog posts, and articles. This helps search engines and users understand the focus of your content.
2. Headings and Subheadings: Incorporate them into your headings (H1, H2, etc.) and subheadings. This not only improves the structure and readability of your content but also signals to search engines the relevance of your keywords.
3. URL Structure: Try to include relevant ones in the URL of your web pages. This can have a positive impact on search engine rankings.
4. Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions that include them. Although meta descriptions don’t directly affect rankings, they can influence click-through rates from search engine result pages.
5. Body Content: Naturally include them within the body of your content. Aim for a balanced and natural usage that provides value to readers and doesn’t appear forced or spammy.
6. Image Alt Text: Use them in the alt text of your images. This helps search engines understand the content of your images and improves accessibility.
7. Internal and External Links: When appropriate, link them to relevant pages on your website or reputable external sources. This helps search engines understand the context of your content and enhances the user experience.

When targeting these keywords, it’s essential to provide valuable and unbiased information to users while highlighting the unique value and benefits your brand offers. Remember to conduct thorough research and analysis to identify your top competitors and the keywords they are targeting.

2. Search

Search volume keywords have a high search volume, meaning that a lot of people are searching for these terms because they are simple in format. Long-tail keywords have a lower search volume, but are highly targeted to specific niches. We talked about these in the very beginning of the blog. Words like ‘running shoes, earrings, digital cameras’…

3. Conversion Rate

Conversion rate Long-tail keywords often have a higher conversion rate, as they attract highly qualified traffic that is looking for specific products or information.

Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is the process of improving the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a form. To optimize your conversion rate, it can be helpful to target specific keywords that are related to conversions and drive high-intent traffic.

Examples:

1. “Buy now” – This indicates a strong intent to make a purchase, making it valuable for e-commerce websites.
2. “Sign up” – This targets users who are interested in subscribing to a service or newsletter, often leading to higher conversion rates.
3. “Free trial” – Offering a free trial can be a powerful conversion strategy, and targeting this keyword can attract users who are specifically looking for trial offers.
4. “Limited time offer” – This creates a sense of urgency and encourages users to take immediate action, boosting conversion rates.
5. “Get a quote” – If you offer services or products that require a quote, targeting this keyword can attract users who are ready to inquire about pricing and potentially convert.
6. “Download now” – If you provide downloadable content, software, or resources, targeting this keyword can attract users who are actively seeking to download and engage with your offerings.

4. Content Creation

Content Creation Long-tail keywords can help you to create more relevant and useful content for your website visitors, as you can tailor your content to the specific needs of your target audience. Many of these can also be good Titles for your product or Posts.

Examples:

1. “Best DSLR cameras for landscape photography”
2. “Healthy vegan dinner recipes for weight loss”
3. “Beginner’s guide to knitting a scarf”
4. “Tips for training a stubborn dog”
5. “DIY home organization ideas for small spaces”
6. “Outdoor gardening tips for growing tomatoes”
7. “Essential tools for woodworking projects”
8. “Quick and easy hairstyles for curly hair”
9. “Review of the latest sci-fi books for young adults”

Remember, incorporating these should always be done in a way that enhances the quality and value of your content. Avoid keyword stuffing or over-optimization, as it can negatively impact your search engine rankings and user experience.

Conclusion

While keywords are important for SEO, long-tail keywords can be even more effective in driving targeted traffic to your website. By being more specific and niche focused, you can attract highly qualified traffic to your website, create more relevant content, and ultimately drive more conversions and sales.