Keyword Research for Small Business Owners: A Simple Guide

If you've built your own website on Wix, Squarespace, Shopify or another platform, you've probably heard the phrase "keyword research" thrown around. It can sound technical and a bit intimidating. But it's actually simpler than it looks and it matters more than you might think.

In simple terms, keyword research is about finding out what your customers actually type into Google when they're looking for what you offer. When you know those words, you can make sure your website uses them too, so Google is more likely to show your website to the right people.

Why it matters for your business

Think about how you search for something yourself. You don't type "shoes." You type something specific, like "best running shoes for flat feet." The same is true for your customers. They're not searching for "plumber"... they're searching for "plumber in Sheffield" or "emergency plumber near me."

The more specific the words you use on your website, the easier it is for Google to understand what you do and who you help. That means the right people are more likely to find you.

How to find the right keywords

You don't need any fancy tools to get started. Here's a simple way to begin:

1. Start with one topic. Pick one thing you want on of your pages to be about. Not "candles" but "handmade organic candles". The more specific, the easier it is to rank.

2. See what Google suggests. Type your topic into Google and scroll to the bottom of the results page. You'll see a section called "People also searched for." Write those down. That's real demand, straight from Google, these are things real people are actually typing in.

3. Use a free keyword tool. Google Keyword Planner is free and it'll show you two important numbers: how many people search for a word each month and how hard it is to rank for it. Make a note of at least five keywords you could use.

4. Pick your main ones. From your list, choose one main keyword and two secondary ones. Your whole page should revolve around these. That keeps your website focused and clear, for both Google and your visitors.

What this means for you

You don't need to become an SEO expert. But understanding the basics of keyword research can help you make better decisions about the words you use on your website. And when your website uses the words your customers actually search for, you're giving yourself a much better chance of being found.

If you'd like a hand with your website's SEO, we're here to help.