How to Do Keyword Research: A 7-Step Beginner Guide

By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 2026 | 9 min read

Short answer: Keyword research is finding the words your customers type into search, then choosing which ones to target with which page. Start with your topics, expand them with free tools, check what the search results show, group similar keywords, and give each group one page. Search volume is only an estimate, so use it to compare ideas, not as a promise of traffic.

Step 1: Start with your goal

Decide what you want people to do: buy, call, subscribe or learn. A keyword that brings visitors who will never buy is a poor target, even if many people search it. Write down your main services and the problems you solve.

Step 2: List seed topics

Write 5 to 10 short topics in the words you would use to describe your business, for example “WordPress security” or “plumber”. These are your seeds. Then add the questions customers ask you in calls and emails. Those real questions are often the best keywords.

Step 3: Expand your list

Use free sources to find the real phrases people use:

Google Autocomplete: type a seed and note the suggestions.
People also ask and related searches: scroll the search page for more ideas.
Google Search Console: if you already have a site, the Performance report shows queries that already bring impressions. See my Search Console guide.
Google Keyword Planner: a free tool inside Google Ads that gives volume estimates, sometimes as ranges.
Competitors: look at the pages that rank for your topic and note their headings.

Paid tools such as Semrush or Ahrefs add data and speed. See my list of SEO tools for small businesses before you pay.

What are long-tail keywords?

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases, such as “remove malware from WordPress without a plugin” instead of “WordPress security”. They usually have fewer searches, but the people who search them often know exactly what they need. For a new site, they are a practical place to start.

Step 4: Check search intent

Search your keyword and look at the first page. Are the results guides, product pages, comparisons or local listings? That tells you what Google thinks people want. If the results are all guides and you plan to sell a service on one page, your page may not match. Read my guide to search intent for how to match keywords to the right page.

Step 5: Judge difficulty and value

Every SEO tool has its own “keyword difficulty” score, and they do not agree. Use them to compare ideas, not as a truth. A simple manual check helps more:

Are the top results from big, well-known sites only?
Are some results from small sites or forums? That can mean there is room.
Could you answer the question better, with real experience and clear steps?
Is the person searching likely to become a customer?

“Low competition” is a relative idea, not a promise. No keyword is guaranteed to rank.

Step 6: Group and map keywords to pages

Many keywords mean the same thing. “Fix hacked WordPress site” and “clean a hacked WordPress website” belong on one page. Group them, then give each group one page and one main keyword. Never write two pages for the same keyword, or they may compete with each other. Learn how in my guides on how to cluster keywords and fixing keyword cannibalization. You can also use my free Keyword Clustering Tool.

If you would rather have an expert build the keyword map for you, see my SEO and technical SEO service.

Step 7: Track and improve

After you publish, check Search Console after a few weeks. Look at which queries bring impressions and clicks. Improve pages that get impressions but few clicks by improving the title and the first answer. Add new keywords you discover. Keyword research is a loop, not a one-time task.

Common mistakes

Chasing high volume without checking if the visitor will become a customer
Ignoring search intent
Targeting the same keyword on several pages
Trusting one tool’s difficulty score
Stuffing the exact keyword many times. Google does not need that, and LSI keywords are a myth.

FAQ

What is keyword research?

It is the process of finding the words people search for, and choosing which to target with your pages.

What is the best free tool for keyword research?

Google Search Console shows real queries for your own site, Google Keyword Planner gives volume estimates, and Google Autocomplete and People also ask give ideas. Use them together.

How many keywords should one page target?

One main keyword, plus related phrases that mean the same thing. Write for the topic, not for a list of keywords.

Is search volume accurate?

No. It is an estimate and tools differ. Use it to compare keywords with each other.

How often should I do keyword research?

Do a full round when you plan a site or a new topic, and review your queries in Search Console every month.

Want a keyword plan built for your business? I will research your topics, check intent and map keywords to pages. See my SEO and technical SEO service.

About the author: Hridoy Ahmed is an SEO specialist and WordPress security expert based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has 8+ years of experience and works with clients worldwide.

How to Do Keyword Research: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners