Selecting 10 Perfect Keywords

So, keywords. You know, those magical little words that determine whether someone finds your business online or ends up watching cat videos instead. Everyone treats them like some kind of ancient wizardry, but most people get them completely wrong.

They either go for the most obvious ones that are already dominated by corporate giants or pick something so niche that only three people on the planet are searching for it. Like, “best organic lavender-scented soap for left-handed people.”

Why Comparative Research is a Game-Changer

If you actually want to rank for something useful, you’ve got to be smart about it. And that starts with a little sneaky move called comparative research.

No, that doesn’t mean stalking your competitors like a weirdo, but it does mean figuring out where they’re dropping the ball so you can swoop in and steal their traffic.

Let’s say you sell metal detectors. You might think that simply using “metal detectors” is the golden ticket, but guess what? Big corporations already own that term.

You’d be better off going for something like “beachcombing metal detector” because it’s still relevant but not drowning in competition.

Why You Only Need Ten Keywords to Start

Before you start grabbing every keyword like you’re at a buffet, here’s another hard truth; you don’t need a million keywords.

You need ten to get started. That’s it. Just ten really good, super-targeted, customer-attracting keywords that make sense for your business. Think of them as your ride-or-die squad, the core keywords you use as seeds to eventually find more.

Going too broad is like trying to catch a dozen fish with your bare hands. Pick ten to start with, and work them like they owe you money.

The goal here isn’t just finding words people search for, but words that actually lead to sales.

“Skincare products” is useless. “Organic face serum for dry skin” is where the magic happens. See the difference?

One is a black hole of competition, the other is a magnet for people who actually need what you’re selling.

How to Find the Right Keywords

So how do you do this? First, start broad. Think of a general term for your product niche, then get into Google Keyword Planner and go to town. It’s the best keyword tool on the planet, and it’s free, so learn it, it won’t bite.

You type in “natural cleaning supplies,” and GKP suggests over twenty-four hundred keywords that it sees as being closely related. The ones closest to the top are the most relevant to the search engine, “90mm telescope” or “apochromatic refractor.” Boom. Free keyword ideas.

Next, analyze your competitors. What are they ranking for? More importantly, what are they missing?

If they’re getting tons of traffic for “six inch refractor telescope” but aren’t talking about how to actually use one, guess who can jump in and fill that gap? Yep. You.

And don’t just go off gut feelings. Use actual data. Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, Google Analytics; they’re all at the top of the game, and they’re all free.

What to Do With Your Keywords

Once you’ve gathered all this keyword gold, narrow it down to ten to start with. Make sure they align with your product niche, actually have search volume, and give you a real shot at ranking.

Then use them everywhere; your website, product descriptions, blog posts. And no, don’t just stuff them in like a robot.

Work them in naturally so your content still sounds like an actual human wrote it.

Keep Adjusting and Optimizing

The last step? Track what’s working. Use Google Search Console to see if people are actually finding you through these keywords.

If something’s flopping, swap it out. If a term is blowing up, double down on it.

This isn’t a one-and-done situation. It’s more like maintaining a garden. Keep tending to it, keep growing it, and you’ll get some serious results.

Final Thoughts

So, to sum up, don’t get lost in keyword overload. Do your research, pick ten that actually matter, and use them wisely.

If you do it right, you’ll stop being invisible online and start getting the traffic and sales you actually want.

Here Are Five Things You Can Do to Stop Wasting Time on Bad Keywords

First, stop choosing keywords that sound nice but don’t convert.

It’s easy to get distracted by fancy, high-volume keywords that make you feel like a marketing genius. But if those keywords bring in traffic that never buys, what’s the point? Instead of chasing words that make your website look busy, focus on ones that bring in people ready to spend money. If you sell telescopes, “best astronomy gear” is worthless. “Buy beginner telescope under $300” is where the magic happens.

Second, check what real customers are actually searching for.

Your audience isn’t typing in robotic, SEO-perfect phrases. They’re searching for things the way normal people talk. Instead of guessing, look at real customer questions. Check your site’s search bar, dig through product reviews, or browse forums where your customers hang out. If ten different people are asking, “What’s the best metal detector for gold?” then congratulations, you’ve just found a goldmine of a keyword.

Third, use Google’s free tools instead of throwing money at expensive software.

Google hands you a treasure chest of keyword data for free, yet so many people run to overpriced SEO tools like they’ve got money to burn. Start with Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, and Google Search Console. These will tell you what people are searching, when they’re searching, and whether your keywords are actually doing anything. Once you’ve squeezed every drop of insight from free tools, then you can decide if fancy paid software is worth it.

Fourth, stop guessing and run some cheap test ads.

If you’re not sure whether a keyword will actually bring in customers, put some money behind it and find out. Run a low-budget Google Ads campaign using different keywords and see which ones get clicks that actually convert. It’s like speed dating for SEO. If nobody clicks, move on. If a keyword brings in paying customers, you’ve found a winner.

Fifth, refresh your keyword list like it’s milk in the fridge.

Keywords can go bad when they’re more closely related to trends. What worked a year ago might be useless now. Trends shift, competitors move in, and Google changes its mind about what’s important. Every few months, go back through your list, check what’s ranking, and update accordingly. If you’re still optimizing for a keyword that peaked in 2019, it’s time to throw it out and find something fresh.

That’s it. No guesswork, no wasted time, and no pointless keyword hoarding. Pick the right ones, track what works, and adjust as needed.