Keyword research is a vital aspect of any small business’s online marketing strategy. It helps businesses understand what their target audience is searching for and allows them to optimise their content accordingly. When it comes to keyword research tools, there are both free and paid tools available that can provide valuable insights. In this blog post, we will explore a range of free and paid keyword research tools to help small businesses make informed decisions.
Free Keyword Research Tools
Google Keyword Planner
One of the most popular free keyword research tools is Google Keyword Planner. This tool allows you to find relevant keywords based on search volume and competition. It provides valuable data such as average monthly searches and suggested bid amounts for advertising campaigns. To use Google Keyword Planner, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Ads account.
- Go to the Keyword Planner tool.
- Enter your target keyword or website URL.
- Explore keyword ideas and search volume data.
Pros of Google Keyword Planner include its integration with Google Ads, accurate search volume data, and keyword suggestions based on actual Google searches. However, it requires a Google Ads account to access its full functionality.
Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is another of the popular free keyword research tools. It provides keyword suggestions, search volume data, and competitive 
analysis. Here’s how to use Ubersuggest:
- Visit the Ubersuggest website.
- Enter your target keyword or domain.
- Explore keyword ideas, search volume, and keyword difficulty.
Ubersuggest offers a user-friendly interface, comprehensive keyword data, and competitor analysis. However, some of its advanced features may require a paid subscription.
Keyword Tool.io
Keyword Tool.io is one more of the powerful free keyword research tools that provide keyword suggestions for Google, YouTube, Bing, 
and more. It offers long-tail keyword ideas and search volume data. Follow these steps to use Keyword Tool.io:
- Visit the Keyword Tool.io website.
- Select your preferred search engine or platform.
- Enter your target keyword.
- Explore the generated keyword suggestions.
Keyword Tool.io offers extensive keyword ideas and search volume data for various platforms. However, its free version has limitations, and some features require a paid subscription.
Paid Keyword Research Tools
SEMrush
SEMrush is one of the best paid keyword research tools that provide comprehensive insights for SEO and PPC campaigns. It offers keyword analysis, competition research, and backlink analysis. Here’s how to use SEMrush:
- Sign up for a SEMrush account.
- Enter your target keyword or domain.
- Explore keyword ideas, search volume, competition, and more.
SEMrush offers advanced features, in-depth competitor analysis, and integration with other marketing tools. However, its pricing plans may be a bit expensive for some small businesses.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is one of the best paid keyword research tools and is known for its robust backlink analysis and SEO features. It offers keyword research, competitor analysis, and content gap analysis. Follow these steps to use Ahrefs:
- Create an account on Ahrefs.
- Enter your target keyword or domain.
- Discover keyword ideas, search volume, keyword difficulty, and more.
Ahrefs provides comprehensive keyword insights, detailed competitor analysis, and a vast database of backlink data. However, its pricing plans may not be suitable for all small businesses.
Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz Keyword Explorer is another one of the well know paid keyword research tools, and it focuses on providing actionable insights for SEO. It offers keyword suggestions, search volume, and keyword difficulty analysis. Here’s how to use Moz Keyword Explorer:
- Sign up for a Moz account.
- Enter your target keyword or domain.
- Explore keyword suggestions, search volume, and keyword difficulty.
Moz Keyword Explorer is known for its user-friendly interface, accurate data, and valuable keyword recommendations. However, some of its advanced features are only available in higher-priced plans.
Choosing the Right Keyword Research Tools for Your Small Business
When selecting keyword research tools for your small business, there are several factors to consider:
- Budget: Determine your budget and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the tool.
- Features required: Assess the specific features you need, such as keyword suggestions, search volume data, competitor analysis, or backlink research.
- Ease of use: Consider the tool’s user interface and its usability for your team.
- Customer support: Research the level of customer support provided by the tool’s company.
Evaluating your needs and goals
To make an informed decision, follow these steps:
- Determine your budget: Decide how much you are willing to invest in keyword research tools.
- Identify essential features: Make a list of must-have features that align with your business’s goals.
- Assess your technical expertise: Consider your team’s familiarity with advanced SEO tools and their ability to use complex features.
Making an informed decision
To choose the right tool:
- Compare free and paid keyword research tools: Evaluate the features, limitations, and pricing structures of both free and paid options.
- Read user reviews and testimonials: Research the experiences of other users to gain insights into the tool’s effectiveness and user satisfaction.
- Try out trial versions or demos: Take advantage of trial versions or demos offered by paid tools to get hands-on experience before committing.
Unlock the Goldmine: Unveiling Low Competition, High Volume
Keywords for SEO Success
To optimise your chances of ranking well, it’s important to focus on low competition, high volume keywords. These keywords offer a great opportunity to attract a significant amount of organic traffic without facing intense competition from other websites. To find such keywords, consider the following advice:
- Use Keyword Research Tools: Use keyword research tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to identify high volume keywords. These tools provide valuable data on search volume, competition, and related keywords.
- Analyse Long-tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords often have lower competition and can be highly targeted. Look for longer, more specific phrases that align with your business or content niche. These keywords can attract qualified traffic and improve your chances of ranking.
- Explore Related Searches and Auto-Suggestions: Pay attention to the related searches and auto-suggestions that appear on search engine result pages. These can provide insights into popular search queries and help you discover low competition, high volume keywords.
- Assess Keyword Difficulty: Evaluate the competition level of keywords using tools like SEMrush or Moz. They provide a keyword difficulty score that indicates how challenging it is to rank for a particular keyword. Focus on keywords with lower difficulty scores.
- Spy on Competitors: Conduct competitor analysis to identify the keywords they are targeting. Look for gaps where your competitors may not be optimising effectively, and try to capitalise on those opportunities.
Remember, finding low competition, high volume keywords requires a balance between search volume and competition level. Prioritise relevance to your business or content, and regularly monitor and adjust your keyword strategy based on changes in search trends and competition.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are free keyword research tools as effective as paid ones?
Free keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ubersuggest offer valuable insights, but paid tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs often provide more comprehensive data and advanced features.
How do I choose the right keyword research tool for my small business?
Consider factors like budget, required features, ease of use, and customer support. Compare options, read user reviews, and try out trial versions or demos to make an informed decision.
Can I rely solely on Google Keyword Planner for my keyword research?
While Google Keyword Planner is a useful tool, it’s beneficial to supplement your research with other tools like Ubersuggest or Keyword Tool.io to gain a broader perspective on keyword opportunities.
Do paid keyword research tools guarantee better search rankings?
Keyword research tools provide insights, but search rankings depend on various factors. Paid tools offer advanced features and comprehensive data, which can enhance your SEO efforts, but it’s essential to implement a holistic SEO strategy.
What if I have a limited budget for a paid keyword research tool?
If budget constraints exist, start with free tools and gradually consider investing in a paid tool as your business grows. Many paid tools offer tiered pricing plans, allowing you to choose a package that suits your budget and requirements.
Conclusion
Keyword research is an integral part of small businesses’ online marketing strategies. Using effective keyword research tools can provide valuable insights and help businesses optimise their content for better visibility and higher search rankings. Whether you opt for free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Keyword Tool.io, or choose paid options like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz Keyword Explorer, the key is to select a tool that aligns with your business’s specific needs and goals.
With the right keyword research tools at your disposal, you can unlock the power of targeted keywords and improve your online presence, driving more traffic and growth for your small business. Remember, the world of keyword research tools is constantly evolving, so staying updated with the latest advancements and features will help you make the most of your keyword research efforts.
