How Delta Growth Conducts Keyword Research to Drive Exceptional SEO Results 

At Delta Growth, keyword research is a cornerstone of our all-encompassing SEO strategy. Keyword research is key to knowing your audience and uncovering traffic and brand engagement opportunities. While we don’t offer it as a standalone service, we weave it seamlessly into our broader digital marketing solutions to ensure our clients achieve outstanding results. 

We wrote this blog to show you how our SEO team achieves exceptional outcomes.

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Conducting Keyword Research

Identify Target Audience and Intent

Keyword research starts with the who, the what, and the why.

  • The Who: This is all about your target audience. By figuring out their demographics, interests, and behaviours, you can fine-tune your keyword strategy to match their search intent.
  • The What: This covers the specific topics and queries your audience is looking for. By focusing on these, you can craft content that meets their needs and showcases your expertise.
  • The Why: This dives into the motivation behind the searches. Are users hunting for information, making comparisons, or ready to buy? Knowing this helps you choose keywords that boost engagement and lead to conversions.
     

Define Your SEO Goals

Here it comes. You’ve heard it so many times.

You need to set goals.

There’s a reason you keep hearing it, and there’s a reason we’re telling you again.

You need goals—and they need to be more specific than “make my website better.” You have to know what you’re trying to accomplish.

Are you looking to drive more traffic to a specific page or product? Or are you focused on increasing sales?

Your SEO goals should align with your business objectives—whether that’s increasing brand visibility, generating leads, or boosting sales. Finding your “why” and breaking down exactly what you’re trying to achieve is crucial for success. After all… if you had no goal, did you really score?

Brainstorm Seed Keywords

Now, it’s time to get creative!

You know your target audience, and your goals are set, so what’s next? You start brainstorming seed keywords, forming the foundation of your keyword strategy.

Think of seed keywords as the basic building blocks. They’re the simple terms directly related to your business. Don’t worry about being too precise at this stage. This is where you throw ideas around and list all the possible words or phrases your audience might search for.

Ask yourself: What words would my ideal customer type into Google? What problem are they trying to solve?

Use KWR Tools for Data-Driven Insights

Alright, you’ve brainstormed your seed keywords—now it’s time to get tactical. This is where keyword research (KWR) tools come in handy. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush will turn your raw ideas into data-backed insights.

These tools show keyword search volume, difficulty, and competition, helping you determine which keywords are worth targeting. Are people searching for the terms you came up with? How competitive are they? This data guides you in refining your keyword list, ensuring you focus on high-value opportunities that can drive traffic and results.

Bottom line: let the tools do the heavy lifting so you can make informed, data-driven decisions.

Analyze Competitor Keywords

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—competitors have likely done some of the work for you. Analyzing their keywords lets you see what’s already driving traffic in your niche. 

Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can show you the keywords your competitors rank for, helping you spot gaps or opportunities. Sometimes, you’ll even find terms they missed, giving you a competitive edge.

Group Keywords by Search Intent

Once you have your list of keywords, it’s time to organize them by search intent. Are people looking for information, comparing products, or ready to buy? 

Understanding intent allows you to align keywords with the appropriate content, ensuring that you’re attracting traffic and bringing in visitors who are more likely to convert.

Optimize for Keyword Variations and Semantic Search

The days of stuffing exact-match keywords into your content are long gone. Search engines now focus on intent and meaning, so optimizing for keyword variations and related terms is important. This is where semantic search comes into play. Use synonyms, related phrases, and variations to naturally integrate keywords and boost your content’s relevance in search results.

You can also use our handy Keyword Density Checker Tool to avoid over-stuffing your content with unnecessary keywords. 

Track and Adjust Based on Performance

Keyword research isn’t a one-and-done deal—it requires ongoing attention. After your keywords are live, monitor their performance using tools like Google Search Console and Analytics.

Keyword Research FAQs

What is keyword research, and why is it important?

Keyword research is the process of identifying the search terms your audience uses to find content related to your business. It’s important because it helps you create content that aligns with what people are searching for, ultimately driving more traffic and conversions.

How do I find the right keywords for my business?

You can start by brainstorming seed keywords, using keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs, and analyzing your competitors’ keywords to identify relevant terms.

What’s the difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords?

Short-tail keywords are broad, typically one or two words (e.g., “insurance”), while long-tail keywords are more specific, usually three or more words (e.g., “best car insurance for young drivers”). Long-tail keywords often have lower competition but can drive more targeted traffic.

How can I target different stages of the buyer’s journey with keywords?

For the awareness stage, focus on informational keywords like “how does [product] work?”. For the consideration stage, use comparison keywords like “best [product] options,” and for the purchase stage, target transactional terms like “buy [product] online.”

How do I know which keywords are best for SEO?

Look for keywords that have a balance of high search volume and low-to-medium competition. You should also consider search intent and how closely the keyword aligns with your content and business goals.

What are keyword variations and why do they matter?

Keyword variations are different ways of phrasing the same search query. They matter because search engines now prioritize understanding intent, so using variations helps improve your chances of ranking for relevant searches.

What tools can I use for keyword research?

Popular tools include Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz. These tools provide data on search volume, competition, and keyword trends.

How often should I update my keyword research?

SEO is dynamic, so it’s a good practice to revisit your keyword research at least every six months, or more frequently if your industry is fast-moving or your business goals shift.

What are common mistakes to avoid in keyword research?

Common mistakes include targeting only high-competition keywords, neglecting long-tail keywords, ignoring search intent, and keyword stuffing (overusing keywords in content). One major pitfall in keyword research is focusing too much on high-volume, highly competitive keywords. While chasing the big numbers is tempting, these keywords are often harder to rank for, especially in a competitive market.
Don’t overlook long-tail keywords with lower volume but higher intent—they can drive more targeted traffic and better conversions.Common mistakes include targeting only high-competition keywords, neglecting long-tail keywords, ignoring search intent, and keyword stuffing (overusing keywords in content).

How do I track the success of my keyword strategy?

You can use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and rank trackers to monitor organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates for the keywords you’ve targeted.

How Effective Keyword Research Translates to Delta Growth

At Delta Growth, keyword research isn’t just about finding terms with high search volume—it’s about aligning keywords with business goals and user intent. By integrating keyword research into a broader digital marketing strategy, we ensure that our clients see tangible results, whether that’s driving more organic traffic, increasing brand visibility, or boosting conversions. 

We aim to meet our clients where they are—at any stage of their SEO journey—equipping them with the tools and knowledge to confidently apply these strategies in their future optimization efforts.

Want to chat about how we can optimize your current keyword and SEO strategy? 

Book a discovery call with the Delta Growth team today.