What is Keyword Research? How to Do Keyword Research?

What is Keyword Research? How to Do Keyword Research?

Keyword Research:

Keyword research is a process through which you find out what type of keywords your target audience is typing into search engines. In digital marketing, keyword research holds significant importance.

If you fail to identify relevant keywords through keyword research, your web pages will not rank easily, and you will also miss the opportunity to reach your target audience.

What Is a Keyword?

A keyword is a specific word or phrase that a search engine user types in while searching for something. In other words, keywords are terms that help search engines and users understand the topic of your webpage or web content.

Examples:

• “Best mobile phone 2026”

• “Digital marketing training in Dhaka”

• “Coffee shop near me”

When you create content on any topic, you must perform keyword research beforehand.

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Types of Keywords

Keywords can be of various types. Below is the discussion of different keyword categories:

1. Short-Tail Keywords

These keywords contain 1–2 words. They are generic, have high search volume, and also high competition. Their conversion rate is relatively low.

Examples:

• Local SEO

• Affiliate marketing

• Rock music

• Meat recipes

New websites usually struggle to rank for short-tail keywords because high-authority sites dominate them. However, since short-tail keywords are popular, you should still use them in content. Though ranking may take time, once ranked, they drive huge traffic.

2. Long-Tail Keywords

These are keywords made up of three or more words. Long-tail keywords are easier to rank for, compared to other types. They help users find specific information—similar to informational keywords.

Examples:

• Digital marketing using mobile

• How to stay healthy

• How to open a Payoneer account

• Where to buy school bags

Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Google Autocomplete can help you find long-tail keywords easily.

3. Transactional Keywords

These are keywords people use when they want to take a specific action, such as purchasing a product or service or signing up for something.

Examples:

• Buy digital marketing course

• Buy SEO tools

• Best hosting for small website

• Buy iPhone 15

• Laptop price in Bangladesh

Transactional keywords often include words like buy, order, subscribe, download, free trial, discount, coupon, price, etc.

4. Informational Keywords

These are keywords people use when they want to learn or understand something. These keywords help provide answers, guidance, and solutions to users.

Examples:

• Top 10 tourist places in Bangladesh

• What you need to know before running Facebook ads

• How to start a dropshipping business

• Pros and cons of affiliate marketing

• Benefits of eating vegetables

5. Commercial Keywords

These are used when users search for information about a business, product, or service before purchasing.

Examples:

• Smartphones under 30,000 taka

• Top 10 hotels in Cox’s Bazar

• How to do business on eBay

• Best 10 SEO agencies

• ABC product review

Common modifiers: Best, Cheapest, Top-rated, Review, Comparison, etc.

6. Navigational Keywords

Users search for a specific website or platform using these keywords. They usually include brand names or specific page names.

Examples:

• Upwork login

• Khan Guidance business guidelines

• Amazon blog

These users know the company but not the exact page link.

7. Primary Keywords

Your main keyword that is most relevant to your website or webpage and the one you want to rank for.

Using primary keywords in places like URLs, headings, and paragraphs helps Google understand your content.

8. Secondary Keywords

These are keywords related to the primary keyword. They help expand the content and cover subtopics.

Example:
If your primary keyword is “Email Marketing,” then “Email marketing tips” or “How to start email marketing” are secondary keywords.

9. Geotargeted Keywords

These target a specific country, city, or area.

Examples:

• Best restaurants in Dhaka

• Dry fish shops in Cox’s Bazar

• Famous yoghurt in Bogura

• CNG filling station near me

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Why Is Keyword Research Important?

Keyword research is crucial for SEO and content marketing because it helps understand user behavior and search intent.

Key Reasons:

1. Understand Customer Needs

Keyword research helps you understand what your potential audience is searching for.

2. Understand Competition

You can identify how competitive a keyword is and which domains are ranking.

3. Find Low-Competition Opportunities

Keyword tools help you find easy-to-rank keywords.

4. Understand Search Intent

Search engines prioritize relevant content. Understanding intent helps you create content Google prefers.

5. Generate New Content Ideas

Keyword research reveals related keyword ideas for new content.

6. Increase Conversions

Using transactional keywords boosts sales and subscriptions.

7. Market and Trend Analysis

Tools like Google Trends help you identify trending topics.

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Keyword Research Tools

Popular keyword research tools include:

1. Google Keyword Planner

2. Ahrefs Keyword Explorer

3. SEMrush

4. Ubersuggest

5. Moz Keyword Explorer

6. KeywordTool.io

7. AnswerThePublic

8. Google Trends

9. SpyFu

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Factors to Consider During Keyword Research

1. Search Volume

How many people search for a keyword monthly.

2. Competition

High-competition keywords are harder to rank for.

3. Keyword Relevance

Choose keywords aligned with your content and audience.

4. Search Trends

Analyze rising or declining keyword popularity using Google Trends.

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How to Do Keyword Research (Example: “How to Start an Ecommerce Business”)

Step 1: Generate Initial Keyword Ideas

Think of 5–10 related topics, such as:

• How to start an ecommerce business

• How to open an online shop

• Ecommerce marketing strategies

• Importance of a website for ecommerce

• Steps to succeed in ecommerce business

Define your target audience and what they typically search for.

Step 2: Use Keyword Tools to Find Search Volume

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, SEMrush, Ahrefs, etc.

Examples:

1. How to start an ecommerce business

   • Search volume: 500/month

   • Competition: Medium

2. How to start online business

   • Search volume: 800/month

   • Competition: High

3. Ecommerce website building tips

   • Search volume: 300/month

   • Competition: Low

If your website has low authority, choose low-competition keywords.