Most business owners know that SEO matters—but let’s be honest: Once people start throwing around terms like “keyword strategy” or “search volume,” it gets overwhelming fast.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I choose keywords for SEO?”, you’re not alone.
Good news: You don’t need to be an SEO expert to start showing up in search!
Let’s walk you through how to choose the right keywords—so your website shows up in front of people who are already looking for what you do.
What Is a Keyword, Really?
A keyword is the exact word or phrase someone types into Google (or speaks into AI search).
It could be:
- “lawn care near me”
- “Squarespace website designer for therapists”
- “how do I find clients as a life coach”
Your job is to figure out what your audience is typing in—and make sure your site shows up when they do.
Why Choosing the Right Keywords Matters for SEO
If you guess wrong, you can rank for the wrong terms—or for nothing at all.
But when your keywords match what people are actually searching for, you start to attract better traffic. The kind that converts.
Step 1: Start With What You Offer When Looking for Keywords
What do you actually want to be found for?
Start with one core service. Let’s say you run a lawn care company in Annapolis, MD. Instead of targeting just “lawn care,” you want to aim for:
- “lawn mowing service Annapolis”
- “weed control for small yards”
- “fall lawn aeration Maryland”
These are more specific, more local, and more likely to convert.
Step 2: Use Free Keyword Planning Tools (No Tech Degree Needed)
You don’t need expensive software to get started. These free tools give you keyword ideas in minutes:
- Google Search – Type in your service and see what it suggests. Scroll to the bottom for “related searches.”
- AnswerThePublic – Pop in a phrase and get a list of questions people ask.
- Ubersuggest – Shows search volume, related keywords, and how hard they are to rank for.
- Google Keyword Planner – More detailed, and free with a Google Ads account.
Step 3: Think Like a Client, Not a Marketer!
Ask yourself:
- What would a non-expert type in to find me?
- Are they looking to learn, compare, or hire?
- What problems do they Google before they find my service?
For example, instead of “landscape design,” your clients might search “how to stop weeds from growing in my yard.”
That’s gold for content, blogs, or a service landing page.
Step 4: Look for the Sweet Spot When Researching
Great keywords are:
✅ Relevant to what you do
✅ Actively searched by your ideal client
✅ Not dominated by big-name competitors
Start with longer, more specific terms (aka “long-tail keywords”) like:
- “affordable dog trainer in Columbia MD”
- “email marketing checklist for nonprofits”
- “how do I choose keywords for SEO” (see what we did there?)
Bonus Tip: One Keyword = One Page!
Each page on your site should focus on one main keyword or topic.
Don’t try to jam every keyword into your homepage. Spread them across service pages, blogs, and FAQs.
Remember, start simple!
If you’re wondering, “How do I choose keywords for SEO?”—start simple.
- Pick one service
- Use free tools to find what people actually search
- Think like a client, not a pro
- Be specific, local, and helpful
With the right keywords, your site starts showing up for the right people—those already looking for you.
Need Help Putting This Into Action?
You don’t have to do it all alone.
Our Monthly Website Optimization service helps small businesses like yours turn traffic into leads—by aligning your content with the keywords people are already searching for.
- We’ll review your top pages
- Optimize your headlines, meta data, and calls to action
- And give you a clear roadmap to better visibility and conversions
