How do I choose the right keywords?

How to choose keywords: a practical guide

Choosing the right keywords is the foundation of every SEO strategy. A poor choice means spending months on keywords that bring no useful traffic.

The first step: understanding search intent

Before looking at the numbers, think about what your user is searching for. Are they looking for information? A product to buy? A local service?

Each type of search requires different content. Mixing up intents is one of the most common mistakes in keyword selection.

How to evaluate a keyword

A good keyword has these characteristics:

• Sufficient volume: at least 50–100 monthly searches for a small site.
• Manageable competition: there is no point competing with Amazon on generic keywords.
• Business relevance: it brings people who can become customers.
• Commercial intent: people searching for "prices" or "best" are close to purchasing.

The tools I use

For keyword research I use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush. But you can start with free tools:

• Google Search Console: see what you're already being found for.
• Google Suggest: autocomplete suggestions are an excellent starting point.
• AnswerThePublic: discover the questions people ask about a topic.

The golden rule

A keyword with 200 monthly searches and low competition is better than one with 10,000 and high competition. Results come faster. And the conversion rate is often higher.