1. Understand Your Business Goals
Before diving into keyword tools, clarify what you want to achieve:
- Do you want more website traffic?
- Do you want leads and conversions?
- Are you focusing on brand awareness or direct sales?
This helps you filter out keywords that may drive traffic but not necessarily business results. For example, a B2B forging manufacturer like Manan Forge might prioritize “custom forging manufacturer” over generic keywords like “metal products.”
2. Know Your Audience
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes:
- What problems are they facing?
- What terms would they type into Google?
- Are they looking for information, comparisons, or to make a purchase?
For example:
- An informational search: “What is custom forging?”
- A commercial search: “Best forging manufacturers in India”
- A transactional search: “Buy forged components in bulk”
Mapping these search intents will guide you toward the right keywords.
3. Brainstorm Seed Keywords
Start with broad, simple keywords related to your business. These are your “seeds” for deeper research. Examples:
- “forging parts”
- “automotive forgings”
- “oil & gas forged components”
From here, you’ll expand into variations and long-tail keywords.
4. Use Keyword Research Tools
Several tools can help you discover keyword ideas, search volumes, and competition:
- Free tools:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Google Search Console (shows queries driving clicks to your site)
- Google Trends (to see keyword popularity over time)
- Paid tools:
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Ubersuggest
- Moz Keyword Explorer
Enter your seed keywords into these tools to generate a list of related terms.
5. Analyze Search Volume and Competition
Every keyword has two main metrics:
- Search Volume: How many people search for it per month.
- Keyword Difficulty (Competition): How hard it is to rank for that keyword.
Aim for a balance:
- High-volume, low-competition keywords are golden.
- Long-tail keywords (3–5 words) often have lower competition and higher conversion rates.
Example:
- “Forging” → too broad, highly competitive.
- “Custom forging manufacturer in India” → more specific, less competitive, better intent.
6. Check Search Intent
Not every keyword is useful. Make sure the intent matches your goals:
- If the searcher is only looking for information, will you still benefit?
- If they’re comparing suppliers, can you position yourself as the right choice?
For example:
- “What is forging?” → Good for blogs/educational content (top of funnel).
- “Best forging supplier for automotive parts” → Great for lead generation (bottom of funnel).
7. Spy on Your Competitors
Look at which keywords your competitors are ranking for. Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs let you enter their domains and see:
- Their top keywords.
- Which pages bring them the most traffic.
- Gaps where you can rank for keywords they missed.
This helps you uncover hidden opportunities.
8. Build Keyword Clusters
Instead of targeting single keywords, group related keywords into clusters. This allows you to create one strong page that ranks for multiple variations.
Example: A page on “Forgings for the Automotive Industry” could target:
- automotive forgings
- forged auto parts supplier
- custom car forging components
- forged transmission parts
This way, you avoid creating dozens of thin pages.
9. Prioritize Keywords
Not all keywords are worth pursuing right away. Prioritize based on:
- Business relevance
- Search intent (closer to sales = higher priority)
- Competition level
- Potential ROI
High-intent, long-tail keywords are usually the best starting point for quick wins.
10. Track and Refine Over Time
Keyword research is not a one-time activity. Consumer behavior and search trends change.
- Use Google Analytics and Search Console to see which keywords are bringing real traffic and conversions.
- Refine your content and strategy regularly.
- Add new keywords as your business expands into new industries or markets.
Example for Manan Forge (Forging Industry)
Let’s imagine a short list of researched keywords:
- custom forging manufacturer
- forged components supplier in India
- automotive forging parts manufacturer
- oil & gas forged flanges supplier
- high-strength forged parts for mining industry
Here’s how you’d use them:
- Blog content: “Why Custom Forging is Essential for Automotive Manufacturing”
- Landing pages: “Oil & Gas Forged Components Supplier”
- SEO optimization: Add keywords in titles, headers, and meta descriptions.
- Social media: Share posts optimized with relevant keywords to attract targeted traffic.
Final Thoughts
Effective keyword research combines understanding your audience, using the right tools, analyzing competition, and matching intent. When done right, it not only increases website traffic but also ensures you’re attracting the right kind of visitors—those most likely to convert into customers.
Think of it like this: outbound marketing shouts, but keyword research allows you to whisper the right words into the right ears.