Keyword Research Mastery: Harnessing Ranktracker for High-Value Search Terms

Intro

Keyword research is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. It's about finding the words and phrases people are actually typing into search engines when looking for products or information. But with so many options out there, how do you zero in on the keywords that will actually bring you traffic and sales?

Well, in this guide, we'll teach you how to use Ranktracker to find the best keywords for your products, so you can get more people to visit your website and buy from you.

First Off, Let’s Understand Keyword Research Fundamentals

Image Source: Adam Connell

Keywords are words and phrases people use to search for things online. By understanding which keywords your customers are using, you can tailor your website and product listings to match those searches. When researching keywords for your products, it is essential to focus on highly relevant, low-competition phrases. For example, instead of targeting broad terms like 'phone accessories,' you could focus on specific, long-tail keywords such as iPhone 14 Pro cases, which are more likely to attract buyers already looking for that particular product.

This, in turn, helps search engines like Google understand what your site is about and rank it higher in search results.

Here are the key concepts you need to grasp for effective keyword research.

Search Volume

Search volume simply means how many times a particular keyword is searched for within a given time frame. It's important because high-volume keywords have the potential to bring more traffic to your site, says Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Ingredient Brothers.

But they're often more competitive — meaning it's harder to rank for them. Danny Jay, Marketing Director at SOLVED Consulting, shares, “Don't just focus on the big players — sometimes, lower-volume keywords can be just as valuable if they're highly relevant to your niche.”

Keyword Difficulty

Image Source: Ahrefs

Keyword difficulty indicates how much competition there is for a particular keyword. It takes into account factors like the authority of the websites already ranking for that keyword and how well-optimized their content is. As you can see in the above image, why keyword difficulty matters.

Matt Grammer, Founder & CEO of Kentucky Counseling Center, adds, ”Higher difficulty keywords are harder to rank for, especially for newer websites. As you're starting out, it's often a good idea to focus on lower-difficulty keywords where you have a better chance of reaching the top of search results.”

Search Intent

Not everyone searching for a particular keyword has the same intention. Some people are just looking for information (like "what is dropshipping"), while others are ready to buy (like "buy iPhone case online").

Understanding search intent is crucial because it helps you create content that aligns with the searcher's goals. For dropshipping, you'll want to focus on keywords with commercial or transactional intent — meaning people are either researching products or ready to make a purchase, says Ali Nahhas, Owner of Aladdins Houston.

Long-Tail Keywords

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In the above images, you can see how important long-tail keywords are. Basically, long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that are less competitive than broad keywords. For example, instead of "shoes," a long-tail keyword could be "women's vegan leather boots."

While they may have lower search volume, they often attract more qualified traffic – people who know exactly what they want and are closer to making a purchase decision.

Now, let's talk about the tool.

Ranktracker

If you want to find the best keywords for your products, Ranktracker is a great tool to have. It helps you quickly gather important information and discover new keyword ideas that you might not have thought of on your own.

Here's a quick look at what Ranktracker can do.

Keyword Finder

Give Ranktracker a few basic keywords related to your products, and it will suggest a ton of other relevant phrases that people are searching for. It also shows you how popular those keywords are and how difficult they would be to rank for.

Keyword Difficulty Checker

This feature helps you understand how much competition there is for a particular keyword. It takes into account how well established other websites are and how much effort they've put into optimizing for that keyword.

This information can help you focus on keywords where you have a better chance of reaching the top of search results, similar to how NerdWallet strategically targeted less competitive, niche keywords to rank higher in the crowded financial advice space.

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While NerdWallet ultimately invested in creating high-quality "pillar" and "cluster" content on broader financial topics, they recognized the importance of starting with keywords they could realistically compete for.

Khashayar Shahnazari, Chief Executive Officer at FinlyWealth, adds, “By utilizing a keyword difficulty checker, you can follow a similar approach and identify opportunities to build your website's authority over time, eventually targeting more competitive keywords as your site gains traction.”

SERP Checker

RankTracker’s SERP Checker tool lets you see the top results for a particular keyword. This can give you an idea of what kind of content Google likes for that search term, which can help you create your own content to better match those preferences.

David Martinez, VP Enterprise & OEM Accounts at Cybernet Manufacturing, explains, “Ranktracker also has other features that help you monitor how your website is doing in search results, analyze the links pointing to your site, and get personalized suggestions for improving your SEO strategy. It's a comprehensive tool that can make a big difference in your online visibility.”

So, by combining your knowledge of your niche with Ranktracker's data-driven insights, you can craft a perfect keyword strategy that drives more traffic and sales to your store. And don't forget to optimize other aspects of your site for search engines, like your site speed and mobile responsiveness.

Advanced Keyword Research Strategies with Ranktracker

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As you can see in the above image, keyword research is important for SEO. It helps you find the keywords needed for ranking. Now, let's dive deeper into Ranktracker's features and some advanced strategies to uncover those hidden keyword benefits.

Competitor Analysis

Michael Hess, Tech Expert at Code Signing Store, adds, “Ranktracker lets you peek into your competitors' playbook. You can see which keywords they're ranking for, what their top-performing pages are, and even how much traffic they're getting from specific keywords.” This is invaluable information for your own strategy.

But remember, the goal isn't to copy your competitors. It's to learn from them. Look for gaps in their keyword coverage.

• Are there long-tail keywords they're missing out on?
• Are there topics they haven't covered in-depth?

This is where you can swoop in and create content that fills those gaps, attracting customers who are being overlooked by your competition.

Search Intent Analysis

Ranktracker's SERP (Search Engine Results Page) Checker helps you understand the intent behind a search query. Are people looking for general information, comparison shopping, or ready to buy? This information is crucial for crafting content that aligns with the searcher's goals.

William Westerlund, Marketing Manager at Suptask, adds, “If you see that the top results for a keyword are informational blog posts, you might want to create a similar piece of content that answers common questions or provides helpful tips. If the top results are product pages, then you know people are looking to buy, and you can focus on optimizing your product listings.”

Long-Tail Keyword Discovery

While broad keywords are tempting, they often come with fierce competition. Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, are longer and more specific phrases that are less competitive and often indicate a higher purchase intent.

Ranktracker's keyword suggestions and related terms features can help you uncover a wealth of long-tail keyword opportunities.

Chase Hughes, Founder of ProAI, adds, “If you sell yoga mats, instead of just targeting "yoga mat," you can go for "eco-friendly yoga mat for beginners" or "non-slip yoga mat for hot yoga." These longer phrases might have lower search volume, but they attract a more targeted audience — people who are closer to making a purchase.”

Don't forget to optimize your content strategy by integrating these keywords into your website copy, blog posts, and even your email marketing campaigns.

A prime example of this strategy in action is HelloFresh. They strategically targeted long-tail keywords like "healthy meal kits for families" to attract qualified leads.

Image Source: Semrush

By incorporating these specific phrases into their website content, blog posts, and recipe pages, HelloFresh saw a significant increase in organic traffic, attracting a larger pool of potential customers.

This ultimately led to a substantial boost in user acquisition and subscriptions, proving the effectiveness of long-tail keyword targeting in driving relevant traffic and conversions.

Trend Analysis and Forecasting

Ranktracker's trend analysis features help you stay ahead of the curve by identifying rising keyword trends. This allows you to proactively create content or optimize existing pages to capitalize on growing search interest.

For example, if you notice an upward trend in searches for "sustainable fashion," you can adjust your keyword strategy and content calendar to address this growing interest. Alex Taylor, Head of Marketing at Digital Signage NYC, adds, “By aligning your SEO efforts with emerging trends, you can position your website for continued growth and visibility.”

Local Keyword Optimization

If your business caters to a local audience, optimizing for local keywords is crucial. Ranktracker allows you to track your rankings in specific locations, helping you understand how you're performing in your target market.

Alison Lancaster, CEO of Pressat.co.uk, shares, “By incorporating location-specific keywords (e.g., "best coffee shops in Seattle") into your content and meta tags, you can attract more local customers and drive more relevant traffic to your site. This is particularly important for businesses with physical storefronts or service areas.”

Content Gap Analysis

Ranktracker's content gap analysis tool allows you to compare your website's keyword coverage to that of your competitors. This helps you identify topics or keywords that your competitors are ranking for but you aren't. By filling these content gaps, you can attract a wider audience and capture more organic traffic.

Saba Mobebpour, CEO at Dropshipping Suppliers US, shares, “If your competitor is ranking for "DIY home improvement tips" and you aren't, creating high-quality content around this topic could help you tap into that audience.”

Integrating Ranktracker into Your SEO Workflow

“Ranktracker isn't just about finding keywords; it's about weaving them into the fabric of your SEO strategy,” adds Indie Basi, Director of WadeSupplies.

So, let’s discuss how you can integrate Ranktracker.

Keyword Tracking

Once you've identified your target keywords, it's crucial to monitor how your website is ranking for them.

Nojan Rahimi, Director at Blutin Finance, adds, “Ranktracker lets you easily track your keyword positions in search results over time. This helps you see what's working and what's not, so you can adjust your strategy as needed.”

Are certain keywords consistently ranking higher? Great! Double down on those efforts. Are some keywords barely moving? Maybe it's time to re-evaluate your content or try a different approach. Sumeer Kaur, Founder of Salwar Kameez, says, “Ranktracker's tracking feature gives you the insights you need to make informed decisions.”

Reporting and Analysis

Ranktracker's reporting features give you a bird's-eye view of your SEO performance. You can see which keywords are driving the most traffic to your site, which pages are ranking well, and where you have room for improvement. This information can help you uncover hidden opportunities for growth.

For example, if you see that a particular product category is getting a lot of organic traffic, you might want to expand your offerings in that area. Or, if you notice that a specific blog post is ranking well, you could create more content on similar topics to attract even more visitors.

Optimization Strategies

Ranktracker doesn't just give you data — it helps you understand what to do with it. The platform offers suggestions for improving your SEO strategy based on your keyword performance and website data. This could include optimizing your meta tags, improving your site speed, or building more backlinks.

Kris Kraze Mullins, Chief Marketing Officer at Capital Max, shares, “SEO is an ongoing process. It's about continuously refining your strategy, testing new approaches, and adapting to the ever-changing search landscape.”

For example, Glossier, a relatively new player in the beauty industry, faced stiff competition from established brands with deeper pockets. However, they leveraged a smart SEO strategy to level the playing field.

Image Source: Brand Vision

By creating keyword-focused content, fostering an online community, and optimizing their website's technical aspects, Glossier saw a massive increase in organic traffic, leading to skyrocketing brand awareness and a loyal customer base.

This organic growth, fueled by SEO, played a significant role in establishing Glossier as a major force in the beauty industry.

Wrap Up

Keyword research isn't just a technical task for SEO experts — it's an important step in understanding what your audience is searching for and how you can connect with them. And here, tools like Ranktracker make this process easier — offering insights that can help you discover the most valuable search terms for your business.

So, by taking the time to research and understand your keywords, you'll be able to create content that speaks to your audience's needs and interests. It also helps you build a stronger relationship with your customers and drive more meaningful engagement with your brand.

Remember, great SEO starts with great keywords!