Want to know the secret behind the success of every unshakable online store?
The answer is: Organic Rankings.
This has been the foundation and the lifeblood of established Etsy stores and e-commerce websites.
There has to be a smart strategy on finding and using the RIGHT KEYWORDS. These keywords are high-ranking and are capable of producing positive ROI.
So how can you find the right keywords?
You will need to use a keyword tool. However, not all keyword research tool are the same.
There are two main types of approaches.
- First Approach - Traditional keyword research
- Second Approach - Competitor-based keyword research
How are the approaches different from each other?
The two main approaches use a different set of steps in order to reach the same goal of discovering the high-ranking keywords that will give a positive ROI.
Users can have different benefits from the different approaches. So to recognize the right tool for you, knowing the right approach is necessary.
1. First Approach - Traditional keyword research
Approach 1: Traditional Keyword Research
The traditional approach is a common approach to keyword research that uses a linear angle. This is the default approach of Search Engine Optimisation. But this approach is becoming poorer, which we’ll talk more about in a little while.
So, the basic steps in the traditional process of getting keywords are as follows:
Step 1: Find the Seed Keywords
In this step, it looks at research competitors in order to make a list of seed keywords.
Step 2: Plug the Seed Keywords
The collected seed keywords are then plugged into the traditional keyword research tool so that it could create another list with larger keyword opportunities.
Step 3: Filter the Keyword Opportunities
The keyword opportunities from the list are then sorted and filtered according to monthly search volume and SEO results.
Step 4: Evaluate competitiveness
The tool then evaluates the strength of the remaining keywords by looking at a keyword difficulty metric and undergoing a manual SERP analysis.
Approach 2: Competitor-Based Keyword Research
The second approach, competitor-based approach, has overturned the traditional approach on its head by going fast forward into looking for keywords that have already been proven effective.
The competitor-based approach is highly unique from the traditional approach, wherein seed keywords are no longer used. Instead, it makes use of seed websites – the reverse-engineering in competitor ranks.
What are the steps in getting keywords using the competitor-based keyword research?
Step 1: Find the Seed Websites
This tool maximises the research competitors by strategically creating a list seed websites.
Step 2: Plug the Seed Websites
Next, the seed websites are plugged into a competitor-based keyword research tool which has the ability to successfully discover a list of proven keyword opportunities, which the traditional keyword research tool can’t do.
Step 3: Sort and Filter the Keyword Opportunities
The tool will then make use of the monthly search volume and SEO data to sort and filter the list of keyword opportunities.
Step 4: Evaluate Difficulty
Finally, it evaluates the strength of the remaining keywords according to a keyword difficulty metric and a manual SERP analysis.
Which Approach Works Best?
This is the big question but bear with me, because I’m going to show you exactly which one is the best.
While we got a traditional approach, we also got the competitor-based approach. Both can work when it comes to finding low-competition, high-value keywords.
Believe it or not, the number of SEO’s discovering the joys of using the competitor-based approach is increasing. More SEO’s are adopting it to their sites. Why is that?
It is faaaaaar more effective. It can get you directly to your goals.
This approach uses keywords that have already been proven effective.
What does this means to you?
It means, you are saved precious time and you are removed from a lot of the risks related to traditional research, which is mainly based on theory.
The point of the matter is
There is no need to change the wheel. If it worked best for your closest rivals, there’s a high chance it will work for you too.
With the conclusion, the obvious choice is to get the competitor-based approach, right?
No! No! No!
It is not as easy as that. Just because it won as the best approach doesn’t mean it is the right approach for you. There’s a difference.
So when to use the Traditional Approach?
Sorry to burst your bubble.
I understand that was a little counter-intuitive of me. After telling you that the best and more effective approach is the competitor-based research tool, why would I still advise you to take the traditional one, right?
Here’s why:
The truth is, you CAN still use the traditional approach, if you qualify into the following:
Casual Blogger
This is for the not-so-serious bloggers who want to make a profit out of their content. Casual bloggers will not be able to maximize the benefits from competitor-based approach, and would be better off with the traditional approach.
Pioneering Market
Competitors are key factors to get the most data from competitor-based research. Success may come from having multiple competitors and surpassing all of them. But beginning with a new idea in the market will get better results with the traditional approach.
Low Budget Marketer
They would not be suitable for the competitor-based approach because it uses lots of resources. This means that lots of data will also be needed for it to function properly. Thus, the traditional approach is a cheaper choice.
Low Activity Blogger
This is the same with the casual bloggers. They rarely post new content on their site, which will be difficult to make use of competitor-based insights. The expenses made would not be worth it.
Now how about you? Are you doing keyword research for your business? If yes, what approach are you using? Do you find it effective? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.
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