Discovering the right keywords is like finding the secret keys to unlock the success of your SEO strategy. 

But finding those keywords is one of the most crucial steps in this journey. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process to identify the best keywords that will help you outrank your competitors and attract more organic traffic to your site 

1. Identify Seed Keywords 

Every great SEO strategy starts with identifying your seed keywords. These are broad terms that are directly related to your topic or business.

Think of seed words as the foundation upon which you’ll build your keyword strategy. 

For example, if you own “a pet store”, your seed words might include words like, “dog food’’, “cat food’, “cat toys”, “pet grooming” etc. 

These are fundamental terms that are closely related to your topic or business. 

2. Utilize Keyword Research Tools 

Once you have your seed keywords, use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Surfer SEO to help you develop a list of long-tail keyword ideas. 

Install the Keyword Surfer extension on your Chrome browser. · Head to the Google search engine and enter your main seed keyword. 

On your search results page, you will notice additional SEO metrics displayed by Keyword Surfer.

These metrics include; estimated monthly search volume, estimated monthly traffic insights for each domain, and tons of SEO keyword ideas related to your seed keyword. 

Save or export the list of keywords that are most relevant to your topic or business. 

3. Analyze Keyword Competition 

Finding the right keywords is like choosing a perfect opponent for a wrestling match. 

By accessing the Keyword Difficulty, you can determine if a keyword is worth going after or not. 

Surfer Keyword Research helps you find the best keywords to use. 

To find the keyword difficulty, head to Surfer Keyword Research; 

1. Enter your target keyword and country 

2. Click “Create Keyword Research” 

- Surfer Score: SurferSEO gives you a list of related keywords and shows you how difficult it is to rank for each one (easy, medium, and hard). 

This difficulty score is called “Relative Keyword Difficulty” (RKD).

Unlike other keyword tools that only show the generic keyword difficulty, Surfer Keyword Research shows keyword difficulty scores based on the relativity of your website authority for that keyword. 

Therefore it’s a good idea to start with keywords that have low RKD when your website is relatively new. However don’t ignore more difficult keywords even if you don’t rank on them, include them in your content to help you build your website authority. 

4. Find the Keyword Search Volume 

While Google Keyword Planner helps you find keywords with good competition levels, it doesn’t tell you how many people are searching for theses keywords. 

Imagine writing a fantastic article about a specific topic but only a handful of people search for that topic per month? That won’t bring many visitors to your website. 

1. To find the monthly search volume of a single keyword 

Use the Keyword Surfer Chrome extension. 

Enter your target keyword into the Google search bar, as you type your target keyword look at the information displayed next to it in the search bar. 

This is a good starting point to conduct keyword search volume. 

2. To find the monthly search volume of a keyword cluster 

A keyword cluster is a group of related keywords focusing on the same general topic. 

Looking at just one keyword’s search volume can be misleading. 

To find the monthly search volume of a keyword cluster, Surfer Keyword Research Tool displays search volume by keyword cluster and individual keyword phrases too.

For example, 

The keyword “content optimization tools” has a search volume of 170 per month. 

But using Surfer Keyword Research the keyword cluster has a search volume of 750. 

5. Identify Search Intent for the Keyword 

Search intent or user intent is why someone types a particular query or keyword into a search engine. 

The four main categories of search intent are:

1. Informational 

The user is trying to find more information on a particular topic For example, a search for “history of coffee”. 

2. Navigational 

The user aims to reach a specific website. 

Queries that include brand names or website URLs usually have navigational intent. 

For example, a search for “Facebook” is likely navigational. 

3. Commercial 

The user is researching a product or a service before making a purchase. 

For example, “best laptops for students” is likely a commercial intent. 

4. Transactional 

The user is ready to buy a product or a service and is looking for a website to complete a purchase. 

For example, “buy iPhone 13” is likely transactional. 

Identifying search intent by just looking at the keyword itself can be tricky. 

The Keyword Research tool uses your seed keywords to interpret SERP rankings and label keyword search intent making it easier to choose the right keywords.

Identifying search intent can also help you uncover the blog post type that Google prefers so you can increase the chances of ranking well for that keyword. 

For example, searching “best keyword research tools” is identified as customer navigational meaning researching or comparing a before making a purchase. 

This makes sense as most of the top ranking results are comparisons and reviews of different tools.

6. Consider Long-Tail Keywords 

Don't overlook the power of long-tail keywords. 

These are longer, more specific phrases that typically have lower search volume but higher conversion rates. 

Instead of “candles,” try “handmade beeswax candles in Brooklyn.” 

While long-tail keywords may have lower search volume than broad keywords, they are more specific and often have lower competition making them easier to rank for in search engines. 

By targeting long-tail keywords, you can attract highly targeted traffic that is more likely to convert into customers. 

7. Analyze Your Competitors 

Check out what keywords your competitors are ranking for. 

If your competitors are ranking for a keyword you’ve missed, consider adding it to your list. 

Head to Surfer’s Content Editor to choose secondary body keywords and variations related to your seed keyword. 

1. Enter your main keywords 

2. Select your country and device preferences 

3. Click Create Content Editor 

8. Refine Your List 

Now, take your list and start pruning. 

Cut out keywords that don’t quite fit or have too much competition. Keep refining until you have a list of keywords that are 

- Relevant

- Have good search volumes 

- Are achievable for you to rank for 

- Include semantically related keywords 

By following these steps, you’ll be able to craft a list of keywords that will help your website rise to the top of Google’s search results. 

Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Keep refining your keywords and content, and you’ll see the fruits of your labor.