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As a small business owner, you know getting noticed online is essential. But how do you show up when someone searches for services like yours on Google?
The answer is simpler than you think: keywords.
You’ve probably heard the term "SEO" thrown around. But what does it really mean, and why should you care?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of improving your website’s visibility in search engine results (on sites like Google) to help attract more organic (free) traffic, and it all starts with one thing—keywords.
What are keywords and why do they matter?
Keywords are the words or phrases people type into search engines like Google when looking for services like yours. For example, if you run a plumbing business, someone might search "plumber near me" or "fix leaking tap."
These search terms are known as keywords, and including the right ones throughout your website and Google Business Profile is key to getting Google to prioritise your website in search results, ultimately helping more customers find your business online.
Keyword research helps you discover exactly what your customers are searching for, so you can scatter these keywords throughout your web pages. This helps your business show up when it needs to. Without the right keywords, your business could get lost in search results.
Top free keyword research tools to boost your SEO
Thinking keyword research is too complicated, and reach tools are too expensive—think again! There are free tools you can start using today to uncover the best keywords for your business—and they’re super easy to use.
Here’s a breakdown of some great ones:
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is one of the most trusted tools out there. It’s part of Google Ads, but the best part? You don’t need to pay for ads to use it.
This free tool helps you find keyword ideas and shows you how popular they are (search volume) and how hard it might be to rank for them (competition).
How to use it: Simply log into your Google Ads account, then go to the "Keyword Planner" section. Enter a few keywords related to your business (like “local locksmith” or “affordable dentist”) and Google will show you insights like search volume and competition. You’ll also get new keyword ideas to consider.
Try Google Keyword Planner here
2. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is a free tool by Neil Patel that provides keyword suggestions, search volume, and competition analysis.
It even gives you content ideas based on what people are searching for, helping you create blog posts and other online content that resonate with your audience.
How to use it: Go to Ubersuggest, type in a keyword (for example, “electrical services”) or enter your website’s URL, and it will give you a list of related keyword ideas, as well as how competitive those keywords are.
3. Answer the Public
Answer the Public is an excellent tool for finding long-tail keywords—those phrases people are actually asking about. These long-tail keywords are highly specific and valuable for creating content.
How to use it: Simply type in a broad keyword (like “mechanic”), and the tool will generate a visual map of related questions, prepositions, and comparisons. For example, you might find questions like "How much will it cost to get my car serviced?" or "best mechanic near me."
4. Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz offers a free version of its Keyword Explorer tool that is perfect for targeting less competitive keywords and finding great opportunities.
How to use it: You’ll need to create a free Moz account, and then search for a keyword. Moz will show you metrics like keyword difficulty and opportunity—giving you insight into which keywords are easiest to rank for.
Explore Moz Keyword Explorer here
5. Google Trends
Google Trends is perfect for staying on top of what people are searching for and how interest in certain topics changes over time.
How to use it: Simply enter a keyword, and Google Trends will show you how search interest has fluctuated over time. You can compare the interest in different keywords and find out which ones are most relevant to your audience right now.
How to use these tools for maximum SEO impact
Now that you've got your list of keywords, let's put them to work! Here’s how you can start seeing results right away:
- Boost your Google Business Profile: Start adding keywords to your business description, products, and service sections, and make sure you’re using them in the updates you post. This is a quick win to get noticed by more customers.
- Update Your Website: Add your target keywords to key pages like your homepage and service descriptions. This tells search engines what your business is about and helps you show up in search results.
- Blog Posts: Write blog posts that answer common customer questions using long-tail keywords. It helps your Google Business Profile and website appear in search results when people ask questions related to your business.
Tip: Search engines love businesses with good feedback because it signals trust and reliability to potential customers. So, don’t forget the power of positive Google reviews. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. The more good reviews you get, the more likely you are to rank higher in search results.
Need help with all of this?
Keyword research is essential for SEO success, and with these free tools, you can start getting ahead of the competition right now.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by keyword research and profile optimisation, let us take care of it for you—so you can focus on growing your business and serving your customers.
Claim your free Google Business strategy session and find out how betterbunch can help your business get the search ranking it deserves.
