Easy Keyword Strategies: The Complete Guide to Finding High-Ranking Keywords 2024

Here’s a shocking statistic that might make you rethink everything you know about SEO…

According to Ahref’s research for 2023, 96.55% of web pages get zero organic traffic from Google.

Zero. Nada. Nothing. Pretty scary, right?

That’s exactly why having easy keyword strategies that actually work isn’t just helpful… it’s absolutely crucial for your online success.

Being the go-to guy for Google and traffic generation (PPC and SEO) taught me something crucial about keyword research…

What worked in theory often failed in practice.

I’m thrilled you’re here because I’m about to share some game-changing strategies that have helped me transform countless zero-traffic pages into content that actually gets seen.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been struggling with keyword research, I’ve got your back.

You know what’s funny?

When I first started performing keyword research back then, I felt like I was trying to crack some secret code.

All those fancy keyword tools, complicated search volume metrics, and conflicting advice… It was overwhelming. I bet you have thought the same thing!

But the thing is, conducting keyword research doesn’t have to be that complicated.

I’ve spent years… over a decade refining these SEO strategies, making mistakes so you don’t have to, and I’m excited to share what really works.

Key Takeaways

In this guide, you’ll discover:

Easy Keyword Fundamentals for Beginners

Let me tell you something that changed the game for me… keywords aren’t just random words we sprinkle through our content. They’re the backbone of how people find us through search engines.

Let’s break this down in a simple way that makes sense.

The Building Blocks of Search Engine Success

Think of search engine optimization as building a bridge between your content and your target audience.

When someone’s conducting research online, they’re using specific search terms that should lead them to relevant content.

And your job is to make sure you’re using the right keywords so your content shows up exactly when they need it.

According to the latest SEMrush Ranking Factors Study 2.0, pages that rank in Google’s top 3 results target 2-3 times more keywords than pages ranking from positions 4-10.

This shows why having the right keyword strategy isn’t just helpful… it’s crucial for visibility.

When I first started, it took me a while to finally learn this. I used to create content without doing proper keyword research first.

And the result is what you would expect… Crickets. No organic traffic, no search engine rankings, nothing.

That’s when I realized that understanding search intent was just as important as finding keywords with high search volume… At least it’s very important in today’s SEO.

Types of Keywords That Drive Real Results

When we talk about keyword phrases, there are three main types you need to know about.

Each serves a different purpose in your keyword strategy:

Head Keywords

These are your short, broad terms… usually just one or two words. While they have impressive monthly search volume numbers, they’re also incredibly competitive.

Trying to rank for these as a beginner is like trying to swim across the ocean before learning to float.

For example, “marketing” or “SEO” are head keywords that major players are fighting over.

Body Keywords

This is where it starts to get less competitive… maybe not for a complete beginner.

Body keywords are more specific, typically 2-3 words long. They still have a decent search volume, but the competition isn’t quite as fierce.

Think “digital marketing tips” or “SEO keyword strategy.” These are much more manageable targets for most businesses.

Long-Tail Keywords

Here’s where the magic happens for most of us.

Long tail keywords might have lower search volume, but they often lead to better conversions and higher search engine rankings.

They’re usually four words or longer and super specific to what you’re offering.

For example, “best keyword research tools for beginners” or “how to do effective keyword research for blogs.”

According to Ahrefs’ latest keyword research (2023), 95% of all keywords get 10 or fewer monthly searches. Yet these low-volume, long-tail keywords actually make up 39.5% of all search traffic.

Understanding Search Intent: Your Secret Weapon

Here’s something most people miss when they’re using keyword research tools…

No matter how you spin it, search intent is absolutely crucial.

It’s not just about finding keywords with decent keyword difficulty scores… it’s about understanding why someone is typing those search queries into Google.

Google’s latest Search Quality Rater Guidelines (October 2023) emphasizes that understanding user intent is now one of the most crucial ranking factors.

Let me share a quick story.

I was helping a client improve their keyword rankings, and we discovered something fascinating. People searching for “keyword planner” had completely different intentions:

This understanding completely transformed how we approached our content strategy.

Instead of creating one general piece about keyword planners, we developed targeted content that matched each specific user intent.

This resulted in double the organic traffic in three months.

Key Metrics That Actually Matter

Now, let’s talk about the numbers you need to watch when performing keyword research.

Don’t worry… I’ll make this super practical.

Search Volume

This shows how many times people search for a specific keyword each month.

But here’s the thing… higher isn’t always better.

A keyword with a lower monthly search volume but perfect search intent alignment can be worth way more than a high-volume term that’s too broad and too competitive.

Keyword Difficulty

Think of this as your competition meter.

It shows how hard it would be to rank on the first page of search results for a particular term.

I always tell my clients to start with keywords that have a difficulty score under 30… especially when they’re just starting their SEO strategy.

Cost Per Click (CPC)

Even if you’re not running Google Ads, CPC is a great indicator of a keyword’s commercial value. Higher CPC usually means the keyword brings in valuable traffic that converts well.

It’s like getting a peek at what your competitors already know is working.

Simple Tools to Start Your Keyword Research

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the keyword tools out there?

Trust me, I get it.

When I first started with keyword research, I wasted months (and way too much money) trying every tool under the sun.

After managing nation’s online branding initiatives and literally working on hundreds of websites, I’ve tested virtually every keyword tool available.

Let me save you that headache and show you exactly which ones actually work.

Free Keyword Tools That Pack a Punch

The best things in life are free, right? Well, maybe not always, but these free tools are absolutely worth your time.

Let me break them down for you.

Google Keyword Planner

Here’s something most people don’t know about Google Keyword Planner… it’s not just for Google Ads. I’ve found some of my best keyword ideas using this free tool.

As you can see from the image below, these are great keywords recommended by Google itself…

Also, I love Google Keyword Planner because it shows me not only that I’m targeting great keywords, but also ones that companies are willing to pay good money for.

Once you set up your Google Ads account (don’t worry, you won’t need to spend money), you’ll get access to pure gold… accurate search volume data straight from Google itself.

Google Search Console

Think of Search Console as Google’s way of telling you exactly what’s working (and what’s not) with your search engine optimization efforts.

If you haven’t signed up for Google Search Console before, this is what it actually looks like… It shows you the total clicks to your website, impressions, and your blog’s average position on the Google search engine.

The best part is, that it shows you search terms people already use to find your site.

I remember checking Search Console for a client and discovering their most popular page ranked for keywords they hadn’t even targeted!

This kind of insight helps you create content that your target audience is looking for.

Google Analytics

While not strictly a keyword research tool, Google Analytics is crucial for understanding how your keyword strategy performs.

Google Analytics is all about traffic, as you can see in the image below…

It helps you track organic traffic and see which landing pages actually convert visitors. This data is pure gold for refining your content strategy.

Premium Tools Worth Your Investment

Sometimes you need to invest in better tools to get better results.

Here are the ones that have consistently proven their worth in my keyword research process.

Ahrefs Keywords Explorer

If Google Keyword Planner is a sword, Ahrefs is your entire armory. What makes it special?

It shows you exactly what keywords your competitors rank for.

But here’s the real game-changer… it can also reveal keyword gaps they’ve missed.

I recently used Ahrefs to help a local bakery compete against bigger chains. We found dozens of long-tail keywords with high commercial intent that the big players weren’t targeting.

Within three months, their search traffic doubled… And it’s not that hard to do with Ahrefs keyword explorer.

Moz Keyword Explorer

Moz does something really clever with search intent matching.

Instead of just showing you search volume and keyword difficulty, it helps you understand why people are searching.

This is crucial for creating content that actually answers what your target audience needs.

The tool’s “Priority” score has helped me find some amazing opportunities.

For example, I discovered several keywords with moderate monthly search volume but incredibly low competition… perfect for new websites looking to gain traction.

I mean, these are keywords big dogs in your niche don’t even know exist or won’t dare to target… So you take advantage of it to boost your authority.

SEMrush

Here’s why I love SEMrush… it’s like having an entire SEO team in your pocket.

Not only does it help with finding new keywords and analyzing search queries, but it also tracks your search engine rankings and helps you spot content strategy opportunities your competitors missed.

Although similar to the other two above, each of them has unique features that make them special and worth checking out.

The Simple 5-Step Keyword Research Process

Now that you’ve got your tools ready, let’s turn them into actual results.

I’ve refined this process over years of trial and error, helping dozens of websites improve their keyword rankings.

Step 1: Seed Keyword Identification

Start with what I call your “core concept” keywords.

These are the obvious terms that describe what you do. For a handmade jewelry store, your seed keywords might be:

Use these to kickstart your research. Remember, these aren’t necessarily your final target keywords… they’re just the beginning.

Step 2: Competitor Keyword Analysis

Here’s where most people go wrong with competitive keywords… they only look at direct competitors. Instead, I recommend the “shoulder niche” approach

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Analyze direct competitors first

2. Look at complementary businesses (those serving your target audience but not competing directly)

3. Check industry news sites and blogs

This approach helps you find keyword opportunities others miss completely.

Step 3: Search Intent Matching

This is absolutely crucial for effective keyword research. Every search query falls into one of four categories:

Match your content type to the search intent, and you’ll see your rankings improve dramatically.

Step 4: Keyword Metrics Evaluation

Here’s where your keyword tools really shine. I’ve developed what I call the “Triple-Check System” for evaluating each keyword’s potential:

First, check the monthly search volume. But here’s a secret many “experts” won’t tell you… don’t just chase high numbers.

I’ve seen pages get more conversions from keywords with 100 monthly searches than those with 1,000, simply because the intent was better matched.

Next, look at keyword difficulty.

As a rule of thumb, newer sites should target keywords with difficulty scores under 30.

But there’s a catch… sometimes high-difficulty keywords have what I call “sneaky entry points” through long-tail variations.

Finally, analyze the trends.

This is super important but often overlooked. Use your keyword research tools to check if the search volume is steady, growing, or seasonal.

I once helped a client avoid investing heavily in content for keywords that peaked once a year and stayed flat otherwise.

Step 5: Keyword List Organization

This is the last step before you start creating your content.

After gathering all your keyword data, it’s time to organize it in a way that actually makes sense.

Here’s my proven system… Create three main categories:

Then, group related keywords together. This helps you create content clusters that support each other.

For example, if you’re targeting “handmade jewelry,” you might group together:

So, remember, keyword research isn’t a one-and-done thing. Search trends change, new opportunities pop up, and your strategy should evolve.

I recommend reviewing and updating your keyword list every three months.

The best part about this organized approach?

It makes content planning so much easier. You’ll always know what to write next, and more importantly, you’ll know it’s something your target audience actually wants to read.

Do you want to take your keyword research to the next level?

Smart Keyword Selection Strategies

Let me share something that completely changed my approach to keyword research.

After years of chasing high-volume search terms and getting nowhere, I discovered that smart keyword selection isn’t about finding the most popular phrases…

It’s about finding the right ones for your specific situation.

Finding Low-Competition Gold Mines

Here’s a secret many SEO experts won’t tell you… some of the best keywords are hiding in plain sight.

While everyone else is fighting over the same competitive keywords, you can gain serious organic traffic by targeting what I call “opportunity keywords.”

I learned this firsthand when helping a small fitness blog compete against major health websites.

Instead of targeting broad search terms like “weight loss tips,” we focused our keyword research on specific, underserved topics.

Think of something like “post-pregnancy workout for busy moms” rather than just “workout tips.”

The result was insane…

Their search engine rankings shot up, and their relevant keywords started bringing in exactly the right kind of visitors… ones who actually stuck around and engaged with the content.

Making Long-Tail Keywords Work for You

Do you remember what we learned about search intent earlier?

This is where it really pays off.

Long-tail keywords might seem less exciting because of lower search volume, but they’re absolute goldmines for three reasons:

For example, instead of targeting “running shoes,” you might focus your keyword research on phrases like “best running shoes for flat feet under $100.”

See how much more specific that is?

Geographic Targeting That Actually Works

If you’re running a local business, this section is your new best friend… You can save this post for later.

Geographic keyword targeting isn’t just about adding your city name to every search term (though that can help).

It’s about understanding how your target audience searches locally.

I recently helped a restaurant improve their search results by researching location-specific search patterns.

We discovered people weren’t just searching for “Italian restaurant Chicago”… they were using neighborhood names and specific dish searches like “best deep dish pizza River North.”

Seasonal Keyword Planning

Here’s something most keyword research tools won’t tell you directly… timing is everything for some keywords.

Seasonal keyword planning isn’t just for holiday-related businesses… it’s crucial for any content strategy that wants to stay ahead of the curve.

Let me show you what I mean.

A gardening website I worked with saw huge success by planning its keyword research around growing seasons.

So, instead of just targeting “how to grow tomatoes,” they created content for “when to plant tomatoes [specific region]” months before the growing season started.

Budget-Smart Keyword Selection for Paid Campaigns

If you’re running Google Ads campaigns, this part is crucial. The best keywords for organic search aren’t always the best for paid advertising.

Here’s my tried-and-tested approach:

Start with search terms that have clear commercial intent. These might have higher cost-per-click (CPC) rates, but they’re more likely to convert.

I’ve seen businesses waste thousands on broad match keywords when they could have focused on specific keywords with better ROI.

Implementation Guide

Now that we’ve covered the strategies, let’s talk about putting them into action.

I’m going to show you exactly how to create a keyword strategy document that actually works.

Building Your Strategy Document

First things first… forget those complicated spreadsheets that no one ever looks at.

Your keyword research needs to live in a document that’s both comprehensive and actually usable. Here’s how I structure mine:

Start with clear categories based on your business goals.

For each category, list your primary keyword targets and their related long-tail variations.

Include key metrics like search volume data and difficulty scores, but don’t let them be the only deciding factors.

Content Type Organization

You need to pay attention to this one. Different types of content need different keyword approaches.

Blog posts, product pages, and landing pages all serve different purposes and should target different search queries.

I organize my keywords by content type and user journey stage. For example:

Setting Up Your Tracking System

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

But the thing is, you don’t need fancy website analytics software to track your progress. Start with the basics:

The key is consistency in monitoring these metrics and adjusting your strategy based on what the data tells you.

Timeline and Resource Planning

Let me share something I wish someone had told me when I first started with keyword research… proper planning saves you from the dreaded “random content creation” trap.

Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s not pretty.

Let’s break this down into a manageable system that won’t overwhelm you or your team.

Here’s how to make your keyword strategy work in the real world:

Quarterly Planning Sessions

Start with what I call the “90-day focus.” Every quarter, review your search engine rankings and revise your keyword research.

This timing works perfectly because it’s long enough to see results but short enough to adapt to search trends.

I recently helped a tech blog implement this system.

Instead of randomly creating content, we planned their keyword strategy around product launch seasons and industry events.

The result was amazing, to say the least…

Their organic traffic doubled because their content was always perfectly timed.

Monthly Content Calendar

Here’s a practical approach to organizing your content strategy around your keywords:

Week 1: Review the performance of existing content

Week 2: Research new keyword opportunities

Week 3: Plan next month’s content

Week 4: Start creating content for high-priority search terms

Resource Allocation

Let’s talk about making this work with whatever resources you have.

Whether you’re a solo blogger or part of a larger team, here’s how to allocate your time effectively:

Small Team (1-2 people):

Larger Team:

Implementation Timeline

Months 1-3	Months 4-6	Months 7-12
Focus on low-competition, high-relevance search terms	Target more competitive keywords	Go after your dream keywords
Build your foundation of optimized content	Optimize existing content based on performance	Build topic clusters around your best-performing content
Start tracking your search engine rankings	Expand your content strategy to include different formats	Scale what’s working while cutting what isn’t

I’m going to remind you once again… Remember, this isn’t a “set it and forget it” process.

Your keyword strategy should evolve as your site grows and your search engine optimization efforts start showing results.

I’ve seen too many people give up because they didn’t see instant results.

But the truth is, the best keywords are often like fine wine… they get better with time.

Just last month, a client’s article that we optimized six months ago suddenly jumped to position three for a valuable search term.

But why though?

Because we stayed consistent with our strategy and kept building authority in that topic area.

Advanced Optimization Techniques

Let me share some advanced techniques that have consistently helped me improve search engine rankings for my clients.

Trust me, once you master these, your keyword research will never be the same.

Keyword Clustering

Think about keyword clusters like organizing a library. Just as books on similar topics go together, related search terms should be grouped strategically.

I recently helped a fitness website transform their content strategy using this simple approach.

Instead of creating separate articles for “weight loss exercises,” “fat-burning workouts,” and “exercises to lose weight,” we clustered these search queries together.

This approach doesn’t just help with organization… it makes your content more comprehensive.

One of our pages ended up ranking for over 50 related keywords we weren’t even directly targeting.

And the secret is simple…

Creating content that naturally covers related topics while maintaining focus on your primary keyword.

Also note, that there’s a difference between keyword clustering and topic clustering.

Content Mapping

Content mapping is where your keyword research really comes to life.

I learned this lesson working with an e-commerce site… where I couldn’t seem to figure out why their beautifully written content wasn’t converting.

Finally, I get it… the problem is, We were answering advanced questions when our target audience was searching for basics.

Start by categorizing your search terms based on user journey stages:

Search Engine Results Pages Analysis

Here’s something most people miss about search engine results pages… they’re basically a blueprint for what works.

Before creating any content, I spend time analyzing what’s already ranking.

This isn’t just about checking competition; it’s about understanding what search engines consider relevant for specific keywords.

Look at the currently ranking content’s structure, depth, and format.

Are they long-form guides? Quick answer posts? Product comparisons? This tells you exactly what type of content to create.

I’ve seen pages jump from page 3 to position 1 just by better matching the existing search engine results page format.

Landing Page Optimization

Your landing pages are where keyword research meets real-world results.

I once helped a software company increase their conversion rate by 200% just by better aligning their landing pages with search intent.

Here’s what we did:

First, we analyzed what their target audience was actually searching for. Then, we restructured their pages to answer those specific queries right at the top.

The key was using natural language that matched their search terms without falling into keyword-stuffing territory.

Avoiding Keyword Stuffing

Speaking of keyword stuffing… let’s talk about what not to do.

Remember when websites used to hide keywords in white text or stuff them in footer sections?

Search engines have gotten way smarter since then. Today’s effective keyword research focuses on natural language usage and topical relevance.

I teach my clients the “read it out loud” test. If your content sounds unnatural when read aloud, you’re probably over-optimizing.

Focus instead on creating comprehensive content that naturally includes relevant keywords and their variations.

Common Keyword Research Mistakes to Avoid

After conducting keyword research for hundreds of websites, I’ve seen certain mistakes pop up again and again.

Let’s break down the biggest ones so you can avoid them.

Ignoring Search Intent

This is the number one mistake I see. A client once spent months targeting “best camera” with detailed product reviews, but search results showed people wanted quick comparison charts.

Their content was great, but it didn’t match what searchers needed.

Always check what type of content currently ranks for your target keywords. This tells you exactly what search engines think users want to see.

Focusing Only on Volume

I get it… those high search volume numbers are tempting.

But the reality is, I’ve seen pages targeting lower-volume specific keywords bring in more qualified traffic than broader terms with huge search numbers.

Look at the whole picture:

A focused phrase bringing in 100 ready-to-buy visitors beats 10,000 tire-kickers every time.

Neglecting Long-tail Opportunities

As we mentioned earlier, long-tail keywords are like hidden treasures in your keyword research.

They might seem too specific at first glance, but they often convert better because they match exact user needs.

I’ll never forget my friend, a pet supply store owner who was struggling to rank for “dog food.”

When she shifted focus to long-tail variations like “grain-free puppy food for sensitive stomachs,” their sales skyrocketed.

Poor Keyword Organization

The organization isn’t just about staying neat… it’s about seeing patterns and opportunities in your keyword research. Create a system that tracks:

Insufficient Tracking

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Set up regular check-ins to monitor how your targeted search terms are performing.

Track not just rankings, but also user behavior: Are visitors sticking around? Are they converting? Are they finding what they need?

So, remember, keyword research isn’t a one-and-done task.

It’s an ongoing process of discovering what your audience needs and how they’re looking for it.

FAQ Section

My Final Thoughts on Easy Keyword Strategies

After years of helping websites improve their search presence, I’ve learned that successful keyword research isn’t about following a rigid formula…

It’s about understanding your audience and creating content that truly serves their needs.

So, remember, the best keyword strategy is one you’ll actually implement.

Start small, focus on quality over quantity, and keep testing what works for your specific situation. Monitor your organic traffic, adjust your approach based on real data, and never stop learning.

What’s your biggest challenge with keyword research?

Share your experience in the comments below… I’d love to help you overcome it and hear about your success stories.

The key to a good keyword strategy is taking that first step and staying consistent with your efforts.