Keyword research basics for small business

Keyword research is simply figuring out what your customers type into Google — so you can create pages that answer those searches. You don't need pricey tools to start; you need to think like your customer.

How to find keywords

• •List the services you offer, in your customers' words.
• •Add locations ('plumber Calgary').
• •Use Google autocomplete and 'People also ask' for real phrasing.
• •Note the questions customers actually ask you.

Match keywords to pages

Each important keyword should map to a page built to answer it — a service page, a location page, or a blog post. Chasing dozens of keywords on one page rarely works; a focused page per intent does.