Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Identify Your Niche or Industry
   • Why it’s important: Understanding your niche helps you target specific keywords relevant to your audience.
   • How to do it:
     • Define your business or blog’s main focus. Are you in the tech industry? Do you focus on health and wellness? Or perhaps you’re into fashion?
     • Think about the topics you usually cover or the products/services you offer.
2. Use Keyword Research Tools
   • Why it’s important: These tools provide data-driven insights and suggest keywords based on what people are actually searching for.
   • How to do it:
     • Google Keyword Planner:
       • Sign in to your Google Ads account.
       • Go to the “Tools & Settings” section.
       • Click on “Keyword Planner.”
       • Use the “Discover new keywords” option and enter relevant words or phrases to get keyword ideas.
       • Look for YOY and 3 month growth, search volume and relevancy to your business. 
     • Ubersuggest:
       • Visit the Ubersuggest website.
       • Enter a keyword or domain related to your niche.
       • Explore the keyword ideas provided.
       • You can also enter a competitor site to see what keywords they are ranking for
3. Analyze Keyword Competition and Search Volume
   • Why it’s important: This helps you understand how hard it might be to rank for a particular keyword and how many people are searching for it.
   • How to do it:
     • Using the tools mentioned above, look for the “Competition” or “Difficulty” metric. A high score means it’s more competitive.
     • Check the “Search Volume” to see how many people are searching for that keyword monthly.
4. Create a List of Primary and Secondary Keywords
   • Why it’s important: Primary keywords are the main focus of your content, while secondary keywords support the primary ones and enhance SEO.
   • How to do it:
     • Primary Keywords: These are usually 1-2 words long (e.g., “shoes”). They have a high search volume but might be very competitive.
     • Secondary Keywords: These are longer phrases or questions that people might search for (e.g., “best shoes for hiking”). They might have lower search volumes but can be less competitive and more targeted.

Checklist for Quick Reference:

• Identified your niche or industry.
• Used Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest for keyword suggestions.
• Analyzed the competition and search volume for chosen keywords.
• Created a list of primary and secondary keywords.

How to Sign Up for Google Ads & Use the Keyword Planner

Navigating the world of online advertising can seem daunting, but with the right tools, it becomes a breeze. Google Ads is one such tool, and within it lies the Keyword Planner, a powerful feature to help you choose the right keywords for your campaigns. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Part 1: Signing Up for Google Ads

1. Visit the Google Ads Homepage
   • Go to the Google Ads website.
2. Click on ‘Start Now’
   • If you already have a Google account (like Gmail), you can use it. If not, you’ll need to create one.
3. Set Up Your First Campaign (Optional)
   • Google might prompt you to set up your first ad campaign. You can either go through the setup or skip it to access the Google Ads dashboard.
4. Enter Your Payment Information
   • Before you can fully use Google Ads, you’ll need to provide payment details. This is for any ads you might want to run in the future.
5. Access the Google Ads Dashboard
   • Once signed up, you’ll be taken to the main dashboard where you can manage and analyze your ad campaigns.

Part 2: Using the Keyword Planner

1. Navigate to the Tools & Settings
   • On the Google Ads dashboard, look for the wrench icon (usually at the top right corner) and click on it.
2. Select ‘Keyword Planner’
   • Under the “Planning” section, click on “Keyword Planner.”
3. Choose Your Desired Action
   • You’ll be presented with two main options:
     • Discover new keywords: Use this if you want suggestions based on a phrase, website, or category.
     • Get search volume and forecasts: Use this if you already have a list of keywords and want to see their search volumes and predictions.
4. Enter Your Keywords or URL
   • For “Discover new keywords,” type in words related to your product or service, or enter a website’s URL to extract keyword ideas from it.
5. Analyze the Results
   • You’ll be presented with a list of keyword ideas, their average monthly searches, competition level, and other relevant metrics.
   • Use the filters to refine your results based on location, language, search networks, and date range.
6. Download or Save Keyword Ideas
   • If you find keywords you’re interested in, you can either download them as a CSV file or add them to your plan.
7. Refine & Repeat
   • The world of keywords is vast. Feel free to experiment with different terms, analyze competitors’ websites, or explore various categories to find the perfect keywords for your campaigns.

By following this guide, you’ll be on your way to creating content that not only resonates with your audience but also ranks well in search engines. Remember, the world of SEO is always evolving, so it’s essential to revisit your keywords periodically and adjust your strategy as needed. Happy keyword hunting!