How to Do Keyword Research for SEO: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ranking on Google isn’t just about creating quality content – it starts with understanding what people are searching for. That’s where keyword research comes in. It tells you the exact words and phrases your audience uses when looking for your products and services, guiding your content so it reaches the right people.

If you’re planning to improve your website traffic, build brand awareness, or generate leads, knowing how to do keyword research for SEO effectively is essential. Let’s break down the process into actionable steps that even beginners can implement confidently.

Why is Keyword Research Crucial?

Think of keyword research as listening to your customers before speaking. It ensures the content you create aligns with what your audience wants, increasing the chances of:

• Ranking higher on Google

• Reaching potential customers

• Boosting click-through rates and conversions

  
  

For example, a brand offering Best SEO Services in India needs to know if users search for “SEO agency for startups” or “affordable SEO packages.” These insights shape your website’s structure, blogs, and ad campaigns to deliver better results.

Recommended read: SEO vs Google Ads: What’s Best for Indian Businesses

Step 1: Define Your Goals Clearly

Before you start using tools, ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of your SEO strategy?

• Do you want to increase website visitors, promote a product or service, or get more leads?

• Who are your target customers?

  
  

For example, if your focus is lead generation, targeting keywords with buying intent, like “PPC services for e-commerce,” will give better results than broad keywords like “PPC.”

Step 2: Create a List of Seed Keywords

Seed keywords are your starting point. They are basic terms related to your business or niche. If your company provides social media marketing services and pay per click services, your seed keywords might include:

• social media marketing agency

• PPC services

• Google Ads management

• digital marketing agency

  
  

This list helps you expand into more specific keywords later in the process.

Step 3: Use Google Keyword Planner Effectively

Google Keyword Planner is a powerful free tool for keyword research. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Access Keyword Planner through your Google Ads account.

2. Click on “Discover new keywords.”

3. Type in your seed keywords and choose your location for accurate data.

4. Review suggested keywords, their monthly search volume, and competition levels.

   
   

This tool is also helpful for planning paid advertising campaigns because it gives realistic search volume data and bid ranges.

Step 4: Try Other Reliable Keyword Tools

Besides Google’s tool, there are several AI tools and SEO platforms that can strengthen your research:

• SEMrush: Helps discover related keywords, questions, and competitor keywords.

• Ahrefs: Shows keyword difficulty, search volume, and top-ranking pages.

• Ubersuggest: Provides keyword suggestions, SEO difficulty, and content ideas.

  
  

Using multiple tools ensures you don’t miss important keywords relevant to your audience.

Also read: Top 5 Social Media Trends in India to Watch in 2025

Step 5: Understand Search Intent

A keyword’s value depends on its search intent – why the user is searching for it. For example:

• Informational intent: “What is SEO?”

• Navigational intent: “SEMrush login”

• Transactional intent: “Best SEO agency in Delhi”

  
  

Prioritising transactional and commercial keywords can directly help your business goals by attracting users ready to make decisions about your services.

Step 6: Find Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases like:

• “affordable SEO services for small businesses”

• “how to do keyword research for SEO step by step”

  
  

They generally have lower competition and higher conversion rates, making them valuable for small businesses and niche markets.

Step 7: Analyse Competitor Keywords

Studying what your competitors rank for helps identify:

• Gaps in their content you can fill

• Keywords bringing traffic to their site

• New ideas for blogs or landing pages

  
  

Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can show competitor keywords and their top-performing pages, helping you build a stronger SEO strategy.

Step 8: Organise Keywords into Clusters

Group your keywords based on topics or search intent. For example, under “SEO services,” you might include:

• best SEO agency

• SEO agency near me

• SEO for ecommerce websites

  
  

Clustering keywords ensures your website has a structured, logical approach that appeals to both users and search engines.

Read next: Boost Your Local Business with Social Media Marketing in India

Step 9: Implement Keywords Strategically

Once you have your keywords, use them naturally in:

• Page titles and meta descriptions

• H1 and H2 headings

• First 100 words of your content

• Image alt texts

• URLs (if it fits naturally)

Avoid forced repetition; your content should read smoothly for readers while signalling relevance to search engines.

Step 10: Monitor and Update Regularly

Keyword trends shift over time. Reviewing your keywords every few months ensures you remain updated with market changes and continue to attract relevant traffic. This proactive approach is what differentiates Top SEO Agencies from average ones.

Final Thoughts

Keyword research is more than finding popular words – it’s about understanding your customers, their problems, and how your products and services can help them. By combining tools like Google Keyword Planner, analysing competitors, and focusing on search intent, you build a strong SEO foundation for your brand.

At Viridify Innovations, our team integrates keyword research into every aspect of our digital marketing services, from content planning to PPC services, ensuring your brand gets the visibility it deserves.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main purpose of keyword research in SEO? 

Ans: To find and use keywords that your target audience searches for, making your content visible and relevant to them.

Q2. Can Google Keyword Planner be used for SEO? 

Ans: Yes. It provides search volume and competition data useful for planning both SEO and pay per click strategies.

Q3. Why are long-tail keywords beneficial? 

Ans: They have lower competition and attract users with specific intent, increasing conversion chances.

Q4. How often should keyword research be updated? 

Ans: Ideally every 3-6 months to adapt to changing trends and maintain your search rankings.

Q5. What is the best tool for keyword research? 

Ans: While Google Ads Keyword Planner is popular, combining it with tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs gives comprehensive insights.