When you're just getting started with SEO, the concept of finding low difficulty keywords can feel like hunting for hidden treasure. You want those golden phrases that aren't too competitive but still drive traffic to your site. So, how do you find these elusive gems without feeling overwhelmed?
In this article, we'll break down the essentials of discovering low difficulty keywords. We'll walk through various tools, techniques, and practical tips to make this process as straightforward as possible. Let's get into it!
Why Low Difficulty Keywords Matter
Before we jump into the how-tos, let's understand why low difficulty keywords are important. Essentially, these are keywords that have a lower competition level, meaning fewer websites are trying to rank for them. This gives you a better shot at climbing to the top of search engine results pages (SERPs).
Think of it this way: if you're a small fish in a big pond, you'll have a tough time getting noticed. But if you find a smaller pond with fewer fish, your chances of standing out improve dramatically. Low difficulty keywords are like those smaller ponds. They allow new or smaller websites to gain visibility and attract an audience without having to battle it out with industry giants.
Moreover, targeting these keywords can lead to a quicker return on your efforts. Instead of waiting months to see improvements in your rankings, you might start seeing traffic sooner, making it an attractive strategy for beginners.
Understanding Keyword Difficulty
Keyword difficulty is a metric used by SEO tools to estimate how challenging it will be to rank for a particular keyword. It usually takes into account various factors such as the number of sites competing for the keyword, the quality and strength of those sites, and how well they have optimized their content.
Most SEO tools express this difficulty as a score or percentage. A higher score means tougher competition. For beginners, looking for keywords with a lower difficulty score is a smart strategy, as these keywords are less competitive and easier to rank for.
It's worth noting that different tools may use slightly different algorithms to calculate this score, so the numbers might vary. However, the general idea remains the same: the lower the score, the better your chances of ranking.
Using SEO Tools to Find Low Difficulty Keywords
There are several SEO tools available that can help you pinpoint low difficulty keywords. Some of the most popular ones include:
- Google Keyword Planner: Although primarily designed for advertisers, this free tool offers insights into keyword search volumes and competition levels.
- Ahrefs: Known for its comprehensive keyword difficulty scores and extensive database, Ahrefs is a favorite among SEO professionals.
- SEMrush: This tool provides keyword difficulty scores and also suggests related keywords that might be easier to rank for.
- KWFinder: Specifically focused on finding low competition keywords, KWFinder is user-friendly and ideal for beginners.
To use these tools, simply input a keyword related to your niche. The tool will then provide a list of related keywords along with their difficulty scores. Look for keywords with scores that are on the lower end of the spectrum. These are your low difficulty keywords.
Example: Finding Keywords with KWFinder
Let's say you have a blog about home gardening. You might start by entering "home gardening tips" into KWFinder. The tool will then generate a list of related keywords. You can sort these by difficulty to quickly spot the ones that are less competitive.
This process not only helps you find keywords you can rank for but also gives you ideas for new content topics that align with your audience's interests.
Analyzing Search Volume
While finding low difficulty keywords is a great start, you also need to consider the search volume. This metric tells you how many people are searching for that keyword in a given timeframe, usually monthly. Ideally, you want to target keywords with a reasonable search volume—enough to drive traffic but not so high that competition becomes fierce.
Balancing search volume and difficulty can be a bit of a juggling act. A keyword with extremely low difficulty might also have low search volume, meaning even if you rank well, the traffic gains might be minimal. On the other hand, a keyword with high search volume and moderate difficulty might be worth the extra effort.
It's all about finding that sweet spot where the keyword is not only easy to rank for but also capable of driving a decent amount of traffic to your site.
Example: Evaluating Keywords
Continuing with our home gardening example, let's say KWFinder shows "how to grow tomatoes indoors" as a low difficulty keyword with a search volume of 1,000 searches per month. This would be a great candidate to target, as it combines low difficulty with a healthy search volume.
Long-Tail Keywords: Your Secret Weapon
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that typically have lower search volumes but also lower competition. They are often easier to rank for than shorter, more generic keywords. Plus, they tend to attract more qualified traffic—people who are closer to making a decision or purchase.
For example, "best organic fertilizer for tomato plants" is a long-tail keyword. While it might not get as many searches as "fertilizer," the people searching for it are likely more interested in purchasing a specific product.
By focusing on long-tail keywords, you can carve out a niche for your content and attract an audience that's more likely to engage with your site, subscribe to your newsletter, or make a purchase.
Example: Identifying Long-Tail Keywords
Using KWFinder, you can input a more generic keyword like "fertilizer" and then look for longer variations. You might discover keywords like "organic fertilizer for indoor plants" or "best fertilizer for tomato seedlings," which offer more specific targeting opportunities.
Analyzing Competitor Keywords
Another way to find low difficulty keywords is by analyzing what your competitors are ranking for. This can give you insights into which keywords they're successfully targeting and identify gaps you can exploit.
Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush allow you to input a competitor's website and see which keywords they're ranking for. Look for keywords with lower difficulty scores that are driving traffic to your competitors. These are prime opportunities for you to create content around and potentially outrank them.
Example: Competitor Analysis
Let's say you're competing with another gardening blog. By analyzing their site through SEMrush, you discover they're ranking for "easy plants to grow indoors" with a moderate difficulty score. This might be a keyword worth pursuing, especially if you can create more comprehensive or engaging content on the topic.
Content Creation and Optimization
Once you've identified your target keywords, it's time to create and optimize your content. This means naturally incorporating your keywords into your content without overdoing it. Remember, you're writing for humans, not just search engines.
Here are some tips for effective optimization:
- Use keywords in titles and headings: This helps both readers and search engines understand what your content is about.
- Incorporate keywords naturally: Avoid keyword stuffing, which can lead to a poor user experience and potential penalties from search engines.
- Use related terms and synonyms: This helps create rich, informative content that covers the topic comprehensively.
- Optimize meta tags: Ensure your meta titles and descriptions include your keywords and accurately describe your content.
Example: Optimizing a Blog Post
If you're writing a post on "how to grow tomatoes indoors," consider using variations like "indoor tomato growing tips" or "best practices for growing tomatoes inside." This not only helps with SEO but also makes your content more engaging and readable.
Measuring Success and Adjusting Strategies
After publishing your content, it's important to track its performance. This allows you to see what's working and make adjustments as needed. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor traffic, rankings, and user engagement.
Check which keywords are driving traffic and conversions. If some keywords aren't performing as expected, consider tweaking your content or targeting different keywords. SEO is an ongoing process, and flexibility is key to success.
Example: Analyzing Results
Suppose your post on "how to grow tomatoes indoors" starts gaining traction but isn't converting visitors into subscribers. You might experiment with different calls-to-action or add more value through additional resources or guides.
Staying Updated with SEO Trends
SEO is constantly evolving, and staying informed about the latest trends and updates is crucial. Follow industry blogs, join SEO communities, and participate in webinars or conferences. This keeps you ahead of changes that might affect your keyword strategy.
For example, Google's algorithm updates can impact how keywords are ranked. Being aware of these changes allows you to adapt your strategies and maintain your site's performance.
Example: Keeping Up with Changes
Imagine Google rolls out an update that favors long-form content. By staying informed, you can adjust your content strategy to focus on more in-depth articles that better meet user needs.
Final Thoughts
Finding low difficulty keywords is a valuable skill that can significantly impact your site's growth and visibility. By understanding keyword difficulty, using the right tools, and focusing on long-tail keywords, you can effectively target phrases that are within reach and drive meaningful traffic to your site.
And remember, you don't have to do it all alone. At Pattern, we specialize in helping ecommerce brands and SaaS startups grow through strategic SEO efforts. We focus on driving real results by creating programmatic landing pages and conversion-focused content that turns traffic into customers. With our expertise, we can help you make SEO a powerful growth channel that delivers real ROI. So, if you're ready to take your SEO efforts to the next level, consider partnering with Pattern for tailored strategies that work.