by Starting a new website can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out how to get people to actually find it on Google.
Here’s the thing: you could write the most amazing content in the world, but if nobody’s searching for it, your website will remain invisible in the vast ocean of the internet.
That’s where keyword research comes in – and it’s honestly the most important foundation you can build for your website’s success.
Think of keyword research as learning the language your potential visitors speak when they’re looking for solutions online.
When someone sits down at their computer and types “how to make sourdough bread for beginners” into Google, they’re essentially telling you exactly what they want to read about.
If you can create content that matches those exact searches, you’re golden.
Let’s say you’re starting a fitness blog. Instead of writing random articles about “exercise,” you’d discover that people are searching for specific things like “10-minute morning workout for busy moms” or “home gym equipment under $200.”
These are the golden nuggets that keyword research helps you uncover.
How to Do Keyword Research for a New Website as a Beginner?
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to find these opportunities, understand what your audience is looking for, and create content that Google loves to show in search results. Ready to dive in?
FREE Keyword Research: 10 Premium Keywords for Your New Website from SEO Experts
Step 1: Understand What Keywords Are
Before we jump into the tools and tactics, let’s get crystal clear on what keywords actually are and why they matter.
Keywords are simply the words and phrases people type into search engines when they’re looking for information, products, or services. But here’s what most beginners miss: not all keywords are created equal.
Every search someone makes has an intention behind it, called “search intent.” Understanding this is crucial because Google’s main job is to match searchers with the most relevant content for their specific needs.
There are three main types of search intent:
| Keyword | Intent Type | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Best running shoes | Commercial | The user wants to compare and buy |
| How to run faster | Informational | Looking for tips |
| Buy Nike Pegasus 41 | Transactional | Ready to purchase |
- Informational keywords are when people want to learn something. They’re usually asking “how,” “what,” “why,” or “when” questions. These are perfect for blog posts and guides.
- Commercial keywords show that someone is researching before making a purchase. They’re comparing options and looking for the “best” solutions. These are great for product reviews and comparison articles.
- Transactional keywords mean someone has their wallet out and is ready to buy. These are more competitive and better suited for product pages and sales content.
As a beginner, you’ll want to focus primarily on informational keywords because they’re typically easier to rank for and perfect for building authority in your niche.
Step 2: Brainstorm Initial Topic Ideas
Now that you understand the different types of keywords, it’s time to start generating ideas. This is where you put on your detective hat and start thinking like your ideal audience.
Start by asking yourself: “If I were looking for information about my topic, what would I search for?”
Let’s say you’re starting a cooking blog. Your initial brainstorming might look like this:
- Write down 10-20 seed topics related to your niche
- Think about problems your audience faces daily
- Consider questions you get asked frequently
- Look at what topics excite you most to write about
But don’t stop there. The real magic happens when you start looking at what people are searching for online.
Google Autocomplete is your first free tool. Simply start typing your topic into Google and watch the suggestions that appear. These are real searches people are making right now.
Forums and communities are goldmines for keyword ideas. Check out:
- Reddit communities related to your niche
- Quora questions and answers
- Facebook groups where your audience hangs out
- YouTube comments on popular videos in your space
Competitor blogs can also spark ideas. Look at the most popular posts on websites similar to yours. What topics are getting the most engagement?
Take 30 minutes to create a list of 20-30 potential topics. Don’t worry about being perfect – this is just your starting point.
Step 3: Use Free Keyword Research Tools
Here’s where we transform your brainstormed ideas into actual data-driven keyword opportunities. The best part? You can do this entirely with free tools.
- Google Keyword Planner: This is Google’s tool, so the data comes straight from the source. You’ll need a Google Ads account (which is free), but you don’t need to run any ads. It shows you search volume ranges and suggests related keywords.
- Ubersuggest: Neil Patel’s tool provides daily free searches, displaying search volume, keyword difficulty, and related suggestions. It’s particularly beginner-friendly with a clean interface.
- AnswerThePublic: This tool visualizes questions people ask about your topic. It’s perfect for finding long-tail keywords and understanding the specific problems people need to solve.
- Google Trends: Use this tool to see if interest in your keywords is increasing or decreasing over time. It’s also great for finding seasonal trends and comparing different keyword options.
- Keywords Everywhere (Browser Extension): This free browser extension shows search volume and competition data right in your Google search results. It’s incredibly convenient for quick keyword research.
Start with one tool and get comfortable with it before trying others. Ubersuggest is probably your best bet as a beginner because it’s straightforward and doesn’t require a steep learning curve.
Complete Keyword Research Tools Overview
Now that you understand the basics, let’s dive deeper into your tool options. Having the right tools can make or break your keyword research efforts, so here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the best options available.
Top 5 Free Keyword Research Tools
- Direct access to Google’s search data
- Shows search volume ranges and competition levels
- Completely free with a Google Ads account
- Best for: Getting official Google data and ad-related insights
- Limitation: Requires Google Ads account setup
2. Ubersuggest (Free Version)
- 3 free searches per day
- Shows search volume, keyword difficulty, and content ideas
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Best for: Quick keyword research and competitor analysis
- Limitation: Limited daily searches on the free plan
- Visualizes questions people ask about your topic
- Great for finding long-tail keyword opportunities
- Shows search queries in question format
- Best for: Content ideation and understanding search intent
- Limitation: Limited searches per day without an account
- Shows keyword popularity over time
- Compares multiple keywords
- Identifies seasonal trends
- Best for: Understanding keyword trends and timing
- Limitation: Doesn’t show exact search volumes
5. Keywords Everywhere (Browser Extension)
- Shows search volume directly in Google search results
- Free daily credits
- Volume data appears while you browse
- Best for: Quick volume checks during regular searches
- Limitation: Limited monthly credits
Top 5 Paid Keyword Research Tools
1. Ahrefs ($99/month)
- Most comprehensive backlink and keyword database
- Accurate keyword difficulty scores
- Excellent competitor analysis features
- Best for: Advanced SEO professionals and agencies
- Why it’s worth it: Unmatched data accuracy and depth
2. SEMrush ($119/month)
- All-in-one SEO and marketing toolkit
- Extensive keyword research capabilities
- Great for competitor analysis and PPC research
- Best for: Marketing teams needing multiple SEO tools
- Why it’s worth it: Combines keyword research with other marketing tools
3. Moz Pro ($99/month)
- User-friendly keyword explorer
- Reliable keyword difficulty scores
- Good for local SEO research
- Best for: Small businesses and SEO beginners
- Why it’s worth it: Simple interface with accurate data
4. KWFinder by Mangools ($29/month)
- Affordable keyword research tool
- Easy-to-understand difficulty scores
- Good for finding long-tail keywords
- Best for: Budget-conscious marketers and bloggers
- Why it’s worth it: Most affordable option with solid features
5. Serpstat ($55/month)
- Comprehensive keyword research and analysis
- Strong competitor research capabilities
- Good value for money
- Best for: Growing businesses that need robust data
- Why it’s worth it: Good balance of features and pricing
Which Tools Should You Choose?
- If you’re just starting out: Begin with Google Keyword Planner and the Ubersuggest free version. Add AnswerThePublic for content ideas.
- If you’re ready to invest: KWFinder offers the best value for money, while Ahrefs provides the most comprehensive data if budget isn’t a concern.
- Pro tip: Many paid tools offer free trials. Take advantage of these to test multiple platforms before committing to a subscription.
Step 4: Find Search Volume and Keyword Difficulty
Now we’re getting into the technical stuff, but don’t worry – it’s easier than it sounds.
Search Volume is the number of people searching for a specific keyword each month. Higher numbers mean more potential traffic, but also usually more competition.
For new websites, sweet spot keywords typically have:
- 100-1,000 monthly searches
- Enough interest to be worth targeting
- Not so much competition that you can’t compete
Keyword Difficulty (KD) is a score (usually 0-100) that estimates how hard it would be to rank on Google’s first page for that keyword. The higher the score, the more challenging it is.
As a beginner, target keywords with:
- KD score under 30
- Preferably under 20 for your first few articles
Here’s a sample of what your keyword research might look like:
| Keyword | Monthly Volume | Keyword Difficulty | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner yoga poses | 2,400 | 25 | High |
| Morning yoga routine | 1,200 | 18 | High |
| Yoga for back pain | 8,100 | 45 | Low |
The key is finding that balance between search volume and competition. A keyword with 500 monthly searches and low competition is much better than one with 5,000 searches and high competition when you’re starting out.
Step 5: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
This is where beginners can shine and compete with bigger, more established websites.
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that people search for. They typically have lower search volume but are much easier to rank for and often have higher conversion rates.
Think of it this way:
- Short keyword: “yoga” (extremely competitive)
- Long-tail keyword: “15-minute morning yoga for beginners at home” (much more specific and achievable)
The person searching for the long-tail keyword knows exactly what they want, and if you can provide exactly that, you’ll rank higher and get more engaged visitors.
Long-tail keywords typically:
- Have 3-5+ words
- Are very specific
- Have lower search volume (but higher intent)
- It is easier to rank for
- Convert better
Examples of great long-tail keywords for beginners:
- “How to meal prep for the week on a budget”
- “Best indoor plants for low light apartments”
- “DIY face mask recipes for dry skin”
- “Beginner guitar chords for popular songs”
These keywords tell you exactly what content to create and often provide natural article titles. When you target long-tail keywords, you’re speaking directly to someone’s specific problem or question.
Step 6: Analyze Your Competitors
Your competitors have already done some of the heavy lifting for you. By analyzing what keywords they’re ranking for, you can discover opportunities you might have missed.
Here’s how to spy on your competition (legally and ethically):
Use tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs Free Tools, or SEMrush trial to analyze competitor websites. Simply enter their domain and see what keywords they’re ranking for.
What to check:
- Top pages: Which of their articles gets the most traffic?
- Traffic sources: What keywords are driving their visitors?
- Keyword gaps: What keywords are they missing that you could target?
- Content formats: Are they using lists, guides, or reviews?
Don’t just look at the big players in your space. Find smaller blogs that are similar to yours in size and authority. These are more realistic benchmarks for what you can achieve.
Look for patterns in their content:
- What topics do they cover repeatedly?
- What questions do they answer?
- What keywords appear in multiple articles?
- Are there obvious gaps in their content?
Remember, you’re not trying to copy them – you’re trying to understand what works in your niche and then do it better or find opportunities they’ve missed.
Step 7: Organize Your Keywords into Topics
At this point, you probably have a long list of potential keywords. Now it’s time to organize them into logical groups that will become your content plan.
This is called creating “topic clusters” – grouping related keywords so you can create comprehensive content that covers everything someone might want to know about a topic.
Think of it like creating a mini-Wikipedia section for each topic. Instead of writing 10 short articles about different aspects of “beginner yoga,” you might create one comprehensive guide that covers all the related keywords.
Here’s how to organize your keywords:
| Main Topic | Supporting Keywords |
|---|---|
| Beginner Yoga Guide | yoga poses for beginners, benefits of yoga, yoga equipment needed, how to start yoga at home |
| Healthy Breakfast Ideas | quick healthy breakfast, high protein meals, breakfast meal prep, healthy breakfast recipes |
| Home Workout Routines | 15-minute home workout, no equipment exercises, beginner home gym setup |
This approach helps you:
- Create more comprehensive content
- Rank for multiple related keywords with one article
- Build authority on specific topics
- Plan your content calendar more effectively
Each topic cluster can become a pillar piece of content on your website, with the potential to rank for dozens of related keywords.
Step 8: Choose Keywords Based on Realistic Goals
Now comes the crucial part: picking which keywords to target first. This is where many beginners go wrong by being too ambitious too quickly.
Here’s your beginner-friendly keyword prioritization strategy:
Priority 1: Low Competition + Informational Intent: Start with keywords that have:
- Keyword difficulty under 20
- Informational intent (how-to, what is, why, etc.)
- 100-1,000 monthly searches
- Directly related to your expertise
Priority 2: Long-tail Keywords in Your Niche: Focus on specific, detailed searches:
- 4+ words long
- Very specific problems or questions
- Lower search volume but high relevance
- Easy to create targeted content for
Priority 3: Questions People Ask: Keywords that start with:
- “How to…”
- “What is…”
- “Why does…”
- “When should…”
Avoid These as a Beginner:
- High competition keywords (KD over 40)
- Single-word keywords
- Highly commercial terms dominated by big brands
- Keywords outside your area of expertise
Create a simple scoring system:
- Low competition = 3 points
- Good search volume (100-1,000) = 2 points
- Informational intent = 2 points
- Long-tail = 1 point
- In your expertise area = 1 point
Target keywords with the highest scores first. This systematic approach will help you build momentum and see results faster.
Step 9: Start Creating Content Around Keywords
Now for the fun part – turning your keyword research into actual content that ranks on Google.
The key is to write naturally while strategically placing your keywords in important locations. Google is smart enough to understand context, so don’t worry about exact keyword stuffing.
Where to place your target keyword:
- Title: Include your main keyword near the beginning
- Meta description: Use it naturally in your page description
- URL: Keep it short and include your keyword
- First 100 words: Mention your keyword early in the content
- Subheadings: Use variations of your keyword in H2 and H3 tags
- Throughout the content: Use it naturally, don’t force it
Write for humans first, search engines second. Your primary goal is to thoroughly answer the question or solve the problem your keyword represents.
If your keyword is “how to start a vegetable garden for beginners,” your content should cover everything a beginner needs to know:
- Planning and preparation
- Tools and supplies needed
- Step-by-step planting guide
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Maintenance and care tips
Google rewards comprehensive, helpful content that fully satisfies search intent. Aim for content that’s so good that someone wouldn’t need to search for anything else on that topic.
Use your supporting keywords naturally throughout the article. If you’re writing about beginner vegetable gardening, naturally mention related terms like “soil preparation,” “seedlings,” “watering schedule,” and “garden layout.”
Step 10: Track Performance & Update Regularly
Keyword research isn’t a one-time activity – it’s an ongoing process that improves as you gather more data about what works.
Google Search Console is your best friend for tracking keyword performance. It shows you:
- Which keywords are already bringing you traffic
- Your average position for different searches
- How many people are clicking through to your site
- Opportunities to improve existing content
Google Analytics helps you understand:
- Which pages are getting the most traffic
- How long do people stay on your pages
- What content is performing best
- Where your visitors are coming from
Monthly tracking steps:
- Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console
- Monitor impressions and click-through rates (CTR)
- Look for keywords ranking on page 2 (positions 11-20)
- Refresh old content based on new keyword opportunities
- Update content that’s declining in rankings
Signs it’s time to update content:
- Rankings dropping for important keywords
- New competitors appearing in your search results
- Outdated information in your articles
- New related keywords emerging in your niche
The websites that consistently rank well are the ones that treat their content as living documents, constantly improving and updating based on new data and changing search trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best free keyword research tools?
Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest (free version), AnswerThePublic, Google Trends, and Keywords Everywhere browser extension are the top free options for beginners.
- How many keywords should I target per post?
Focus on one main keyword and naturally include 3-5 related supporting keywords. Don’t try to stuff too many keywords into one piece of content.
- Should I target high or low volume keywords as a beginner?
Start with low to medium volume keywords (100-1,000 monthly searches) with low competition. High volume keywords are usually too competitive for new websites.
- How long does it take to see results from keyword research?
Typically 3-6 months for new websites to start ranking, though you might see some results sooner for very low-competition keywords.
- Can I change my target keywords after publishing?
Yes! You can update and optimize your content anytime. In fact, regularly updating content based on new keyword opportunities is a best practice.
- What’s the difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords?
Short-tail keywords are 1-2 words (“yoga”), while long-tail keywords are longer phrases (“15-minute morning yoga for beginners”). Long-tail keywords are easier to rank for and often convert better.
- How do I know if a keyword is too competitive?
Look at the keyword difficulty score (aim for under 30 as a beginner) and check the search results. If the first page is dominated by major brands and authority sites, it’s probably too competitive.
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Conclusion:
Keyword research might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s honestly the most important skill you can develop for your website’s success. Every minute you spend on research saves you hours of writing content that nobody will find.
Remember, you don’t need to be perfect right away. Start with one niche, pick 5-10 low-competition keywords, and create amazing content around them. As you gain confidence and see results, you can expand your keyword targeting and tackle more competitive terms.
The most successful websites didn’t start by competing with established players – they found their corner of the internet by targeting specific, underserved keywords and building authority from there.
Your keyword research journey is just beginning, and every small step you take now will compound into significant traffic growth over time. Focus on providing real value to your audience, and the rankings will follow.
Bookmark this guide and refer back to it as you grow. The tools and strategies we’ve covered will serve you well whether you’re writing your first article or your hundredth.
Ready to grow your website? Start researching your first 10 keywords today and take that first step toward Google rankings!
