Keyword Research 101: Boost Your Digital Marketing Agency's SEO

Hansjan Kamerling
Aug 8
keyword - find good seo keywords for your digital marketing agency
Why Keyword Research is Crucial for Your Digital Marketing Agency's Success
To find good seo keywords for your digital marketing agency, start by focusing on these essential steps:
  1. Understand your audience's search behavior.
  2. Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush.
  3. Analyze your competitors' keyword strategies.
  4. Prioritize keywords with high search volume and low competition.
  5. Match keywords with user intent for better engagement.
When you find good seo keywords for your digital marketing agency, you not only improve your SEO but also align your services with your audience's needs. This targeted approach attracts the right visitors to your website, boosts your search rankings, and improves your digital marketing strategy.
I'm Hansjan Kamerling. With years of experience in product design, marketing consultancy for SaaS platforms, and keyword strategy for various successful startups, I understand how to find good seo keywords for your digital marketing agency to drive results. Let's dig deeper into this essential topic.
Step-by-step Process to Find Good SEO Keywords for Your Digital Marketing Agency - find good seo keywords for your digital marketing agency infographic roadmap-5-steps
Understand Your Audience
To find good SEO keywords for your digital marketing agency, you must first understand your audience. This involves getting a clear picture of who your ideal customers are and how they behave online. Let's break it down.
Define Your Ideal Customer
Start by asking yourself some key questions:
  • Who is looking for your product or service?
  • How old are they?
  • Where do they live and work?
  • What are their interests and pain points?
Creating a detailed customer profile will help you understand your target audience better. For example, when LeadPoint Digital worked with a US cycling sock manufacturer, they focused on passionate cyclists who cared about quality and performance. This helped them tailor their keyword strategy to meet the specific needs of this niche market.
Analyze Audience Behavior
Next, dive into your audience's behavior patterns. Here are some important aspects to consider:
  • Search Habits: What keywords are they using? Do they search using questions like "how to improve SEO" or specific terms like "best SEO tools"?
  • Device Usage: Are they mostly on mobile, desktop, or tablet? This can influence the type of keywords they use.
  • Seasonal Trends: Are there specific times of the year when your audience is more active? For instance, a surge in searches for "digital marketing strategies" might occur at the start of the year when businesses are planning their annual strategies.
To gather this information, use tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush. These tools provide insights into how your audience interacts with your content and what keywords bring them to your site.
By understanding your audience's needs and behavior patterns, you can create a keyword strategy that aligns perfectly with their search habits and drives relevant traffic to your site. This approach ensures that your digital marketing efforts are not just broad but also deeply personalized, increasing the chances of conversion and customer satisfaction.
Next, we'll explore how to generate a list of potential SEO keywords that resonate with your target audience.
Generate a List of Potential SEO Keywords
Use Seed Keywords
To find good SEO keywords for your digital marketing agency, start with seed keywords. These are the basic terms related to your services. For example, if you offer social media marketing, a seed keyword could be "social media marketing."
Brainstorming is a great way to come up with these initial keywords. Get your team together and think about the main services you offer and the problems you solve for your clients. Write down every idea, no matter how simple it seems.
From these seed keywords, create keyword variations. For instance, if "social media marketing" is your seed keyword, variations could include "social media marketing tips" or "best social media marketing strategies."
Use Keyword Research Tools
Once you have your seed keywords and variations, it's time to dig deeper using keyword research tools. Here are some of the best ones:
  • Adaptify Keyword Tool: This tool is part of our suite at Adaptify.ai, providing data on search volume, competition, and potential traffic estimates. Use it to refine your list and focus on the most valuable keywords.
  • Adaptify Insights: Another tool in our arsenal, Adaptify Insights helps you find new keywords, analyze your own website's performance, and track keyword rankings. It even provides keyword difficulty scores, so you know which keywords are easier to rank for.
Here’s a quick look at how these tools can help:
ToolKey FeaturesBest For
Adaptify Keyword ToolSearch volume, competition, traffic estimatesBasic keyword research
Adaptify InsightsKeyword difficulty, own site analysis, keyword trackingComprehensive keyword strategy
Example: Finding Keywords for a Cycling Sock Manufacturer
Let’s say you’re working with a cycling sock manufacturer. You might start with seed keywords like "cycling socks" and "best cycling socks." Using the Adaptify Keyword Tool, you find that "cycling socks" has a high search volume but also high competition.
Next, you turn to Adaptify Insights. It shows that "best cycling socks for summer" has lower competition and decent search volume. By combining these tools, you create a list of keywords that are not only relevant but also easier to rank for.
Generating a list of potential SEO keywords is a critical step in your digital marketing strategy. With the right tools and a bit of creativity, you can find keywords that will drive targeted traffic to your site.
Complete a Competitor Analysis
Analyzing your competitors is a crucial step in any SEO strategy. By understanding what keywords your competitors are targeting, you can identify gaps in the market and opportunities for your own business.
Identify Competitor Keywords
Start by identifying the keywords that your competitors are using. Adaptify Insights allows you to see the keywords that your competitors rank for and how well they are performing.
Steps to Identify Competitor Keywords:
  1. Input Competitor URLs: Enter the URLs of your top competitors into Adaptify Insights.
  2. Analyze Keyword Lists: Review the list of keywords they rank for.
  3. Check Keyword Metrics: Look at search volume, competition, and ranking positions.
For example, when we worked with a US cycling sock manufacturer, we found that their competitors were ranking highly for terms like "best cycling socks" and "performance cycling socks." This insight helped us refine our own keyword strategy.
Perform a SWOT Analysis
A SWOT analysis—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—can help you understand where you stand in comparison to your competitors.
Strengths: Identify what you do well. This could be unique products, superior customer service, or strong online presence.
Weaknesses: Recognize areas where you’re lacking. Maybe your website isn’t as user-friendly as it could be, or your content isn’t as engaging.
Opportunities: Look for gaps in the market that you can exploit. If your competitors aren’t focusing on long-tail keywords, that’s an opportunity for you.
Threats: Be aware of external factors that could harm your business, such as new competitors entering the market or changes in search engine algorithms.
Example of a SWOT Analysis:
StrengthsWeaknesses
High-quality productsLimited online reviews
OpportunitiesThreats
Untapped long-tail keywordsNew competitors emerging
Growing interest in eco-friendly productsChanges in Google algorithms
By performing a SWOT analysis, you can leverage your strengths, address your weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate threats.
Identify Market Gaps
Market gaps are areas where your competitors are not fully meeting customer needs. Identifying these gaps can provide a significant advantage.
How to Identify Market Gaps:
  1. Keyword Overlap: Look for keywords that your competitors rank for but you do not. This can highlight areas where you need to improve.
  2. Content Gaps: Compare your content to your competitors’. Are there topics they cover that you don’t? Are there questions they answer that you haven’t addressed?
  3. User Feedback: Read customer reviews and feedback on your competitors’ sites. What are customers praising? What are they complaining about?
Using these methods, you can find opportunities to create content or offer services that your competitors have overlooked.
In summary, a thorough competitor analysis helps you understand the competitive landscape, identify valuable keywords, and uncover market gaps. This knowledge is essential for refining your SEO strategy and ensuring your digital marketing agency stands out.
Conduct Keyword Research
Analyze Search Volume
When diving into keyword research, one of the first metrics to consider is search volume. This tells you how often a keyword is searched within a given timeframe, usually monthly. High search volume keywords, like "digital marketing agency," attract more traffic but often come with fierce competition.
For instance, tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush provide search volume data. They can show you if a keyword has 10,000 searches per month or just 100.
However, high search volume isn’t always better. A keyword with 10,000 searches may be too competitive for a new or small agency to rank for. On the other hand, a keyword with 500 searches might be more attainable and still valuable.
Evaluate Keyword Competition
Keyword competition tells you how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword. High competition keywords are often dominated by well-established brands. For example, "SEO services" might be highly competitive because many agencies target it.
Tools like Ahrefs and Moz can help you evaluate keyword difficulty. They use metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) to estimate how hard it will be to rank for a keyword.
Keyword metrics such as difficulty scores can range from 0 to 100. A score of 80 means it’s very competitive, while a score of 20 indicates lower competition. Balancing search volume with keyword difficulty is crucial for an effective SEO strategy.
High vs. Low Search Volume
High search volume keywords have their advantages. They bring more visibility and traffic. But they also come with high competition. Think of them as prime real estate in a busy city—valuable but expensive.
Low search volume keywords, often long-tail keywords, are less competitive. They may not attract as much traffic, but they’re easier to rank for and often signal more specific user intent. For instance, "best digital marketing agency in New York" might have lower search volume but higher conversion rates.
Keyword Popularity
Keyword popularity can fluctuate. Trends change, and so do search behaviors. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, keywords related to "remote work tools" surged in popularity.
Using tools like Google Trends can help you track these changes and adjust your keyword strategy accordingly.
Difficulty Ranking
Difficulty ranking is a critical component of keyword research. It helps you understand the competitive landscape. High difficulty means you’ll need more effort and resources to rank.
For example, a keyword like "content marketing" may have a high difficulty score because many authoritative sites target it. On the other hand, "content marketing for small businesses" might be easier to rank for, offering a more attainable goal.
Competitive Landscape
Understanding the competitive landscape involves looking at who is currently ranking for your target keywords. Are they big brands? Smaller agencies? What kind of content are they producing?
Analyzing this can help you identify gaps and opportunities. Maybe your competitors have overlooked certain topics or haven’t fully optimized their content. This is where you can step in and make your mark.
Next, we’ll discuss the importance of considering keyword intent and how it impacts your SEO strategy.
Consider Keyword Intent
When you're looking to find good SEO keywords for your digital marketing agency, it's crucial to understand the concept of keyword intent. Keyword intent reveals what users aim to achieve with their search queries. This can significantly impact your SEO strategy and ensure your content meets user needs.
Types of Keyword Intent
There are several types of keyword intent, each aligning with different stages of the buying cycle:
  1. Informational Intent: Users are looking for information. They may type queries like "how to choose the best facial cleanser" or "SEO tips for beginners." These searches indicate that users are in the awareness stage, seeking more details before making a decision.
  1. Navigational Intent: Users want to find a specific website or page. For example, "Facebook login" or "Moz blog" are typical navigational queries. These users know where they want to go and are often in the consideration stage.
  1. Transactional Intent: These users are ready to make a purchase. They search for terms like "buy exercise mat" or "best deals on laptops." They are in the decision stage, ready to convert.
  1. Evaluational Intent: Users are comparing products or services. Queries like "best SEO tools 2023" or "Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact" show that users are evaluating their options, often in the late consideration stage.
  1. Local Intent: Users are looking for services or products in a specific location. Searches like "coffee shops near me" or "SEO agencies in San Francisco" indicate that users are in the decision stage and ready to act locally.
Match Keywords with Intent
Matching keywords with user intent is essential for aligning your content with what users are looking for. Here's how you can do it:
  • SERP Analysis: Analyze the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) for your target keywords. This helps you understand what type of content Google is prioritizing. For example, if you search "custom cycling socks" and see mostly e-commerce pages, it indicates a transactional intent.
  • Content Alignment: Ensure your content aligns with the identified intent. If the intent is informational, create detailed guides or how-to articles. For transactional intent, optimize product pages and include clear calls to action.
  • User Journey: Consider the user journey and create content that guides them through each stage of the buying cycle. For instance, start with informative blog posts, then move to comparison articles, and finally, product pages.
By understanding and implementing keyword intent, you can create content that not only ranks well but also satisfies user needs, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
Next, we’ll dig into the differences between short-tail and long-tail keywords and how to effectively use them in your SEO strategy.
Short-Tail vs. Long-Tail SEO Keywords
Benefits of Short-Tail Keywords
Short-tail keywords are typically one or two words long. They are broad and have high search volumes. For example, using "digital marketing" as a short-tail keyword can attract a lot of traffic because many people search for this term.
Advantages:
  • High Search Volume: Short-tail keywords can bring in a large number of visitors to your site.
  • Brand Visibility: Ranking for these keywords can significantly boost your brand's visibility. If your digital marketing agency ranks for "SEO services," it can attract a wide audience.
However, short-tail keywords also come with high competition. Many companies aim to rank for these terms, making it harder to secure a top position.
Advantages of Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more specific and usually consist of three or more words. An example would be "best digital marketing agency in New York." These keywords are less competitive and more targeted.
Advantages:
  • Specificity: Long-tail keywords address specific user needs. For example, someone searching for "affordable SEO services for small businesses" knows exactly what they're looking for.
  • Higher Conversion Rates: Because they are more specific, long-tail keywords often lead to higher conversion rates. Users searching for "buy Nike running shoes size 10" are likely ready to make a purchase.
Case Study: LeadPoint Digital helped a sock manufacturer achieve a 175% increase in rankings for targeted long-tail keywords like "best compression socks for running" within six months. This led to higher engagement and sales.
Keyword Strategy
For a balanced SEO strategy, combine both short-tail and long-tail keywords. Short-tail keywords will drive traffic, while long-tail keywords will attract users further along in the buying cycle, leading to higher conversions.
Tips:
  • Prioritize High-Volume Keywords: Use tools like SEMrush to find high-volume keywords that your competitors aren't ranking for.
  • Integrate Long-Tail Keywords: Include long-tail keywords in your content to capture specific search queries. Tools like AnswerThePublic can help generate long-tail keyword ideas.
By understanding the benefits and strategic use of both short-tail and long-tail keywords, you can create a robust SEO strategy that drives traffic and increases conversions.
Next, we’ll explore how to seamlessly weave your SEO keywords into content.
Weave Your SEO Keywords into Content Seamlessly
Successfully weaving SEO keywords into your content is crucial for improving search engine rankings and enhancing user experience. Let’s break down how to do this effectively.
Optimize Content for Keywords
Natural Language and User Experience
When incorporating keywords, use natural language. Avoid awkward phrasing that might disrupt the flow of your content. Instead, write as if you're having a conversation with your audience. This not only makes your content more readable but also builds user trust.
Example: Instead of saying "digital marketing agency services best," opt for "best digital marketing agency services."
Keyword Placement
Strategic keyword placement is key. Ensure that your primary keywords appear in the most critical parts of your content:
  • Title: Include your main keyword.
  • URL: Use a keyword-rich URL.
  • Meta Description: Summarize your content with the keyword.
  • Headers: Use keywords in H1, H2, and H3 tags.
  • First Paragraph: Introduce your keyword early.
  • Body Content: Naturally sprinkle keywords throughout the content.
  • Image Alt Text: Describe images using keywords.
Content Relevance and Brand Voice
Your content should always provide value and be relevant to your audience. Align your keywords with your brand voice. Whether your tone is formal or casual, make sure it resonates with your readers.
Example: If your brand voice is friendly and approachable, your keyword usage should reflect that. Instead of "digital marketing services professional," you might say "our professional digital marketing services."
Avoid Keyword Stuffing
User Trust and Readability
Keyword stuffing—overloading your content with keywords—can harm readability and erode user trust. It can also lead to SEO penalties from search engines like Google, which prioritize user experience.
SEO Penalties
Search engines are smart. They can detect when keywords are used unnaturally or excessively. This practice can lead to penalties, causing your site to drop in rankings. Aim for a keyword density of 1-2% to keep your content natural and engaging.
Example: Instead of repeating "digital marketing agency" in every sentence, use synonyms and related terms like "online marketing firm" or "SEO services provider."
SEO Strategy - find good seo keywords for your digital marketing agency
By focusing on natural language, strategic keyword placement, and maintaining a consistent brand voice, you can create content that is both SEO-friendly and valuable to your audience. This approach not only improves your search engine rankings but also improves the overall user experience.
Next, we'll discuss how to monitor and adjust your SEO keywords regularly to stay ahead in the changing digital landscape.
Monitor and Adjust Your SEO Keywords Regularly
Use Analytics Tools
To stay ahead in the dynamic world of SEO, you must regularly monitor keyword performance. Tools like Google Analytics are essential for this. They provide insights into how your keywords are performing, which helps in making data-driven decisions.
Google Analytics tracks various metrics such as organic traffic, bounce rates, and conversion rates. By examining these metrics, you can identify which keywords are driving traffic and which are not. This allows you to adjust your keyword strategy accordingly.
For example, if a particular keyword is generating a lot of traffic but has a high bounce rate, it might indicate that the content isn't meeting user expectations. In such cases, you might need to tweak the content or choose a different keyword that better aligns with user intent.
Regular Keyword Audits
Regular keyword audits are crucial for continuous improvement. These audits help you review your current keyword strategy and make necessary updates. Typically, you should conduct a keyword audit every few months to stay relevant.
During an audit, assess the following:
  • Search Volume: Are your chosen keywords still popular?
  • Keyword Competition: Has the competitive landscape changed?
  • Keyword Performance: Are your keywords driving conversions?
By answering these questions, you can identify gaps and opportunities in your SEO strategy. This process ensures that your digital marketing efforts remain effective and aligned with your business goals.
Strategy Updates and Continuous Improvement
SEO is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. The digital landscape is always evolving, and so should your SEO strategy. Based on your keyword audits and performance tracking, make regular strategy updates.
For instance, if you notice a seasonal trend in keyword performance, adjust your content calendar to capitalize on these trends. Similarly, if new keywords emerge that are relevant to your industry, incorporate them into your strategy.
Continuous improvement is the key to maintaining and enhancing your search engine rankings. By regularly monitoring, auditing, and updating your SEO keywords, you can ensure that your digital marketing agency stays ahead of the competition.
Next, we'll address some frequently asked questions about keyword research to help you fine-tune your strategy even further.
Frequently Asked Questions about Keyword Research
How to find keywords for digital marketing agency?
Finding good SEO keywords for your digital marketing agency starts with understanding your audience and their search behaviors. Begin by brainstorming potential keywords that describe your services, such as "digital marketing agency," "SEO services," and "social media marketing."
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush to expand your list with related terms and variations. For example, if your agency specializes in local SEO, include keywords like "digital marketing agency in [city name]" or "SEO services in [city name]."
Competitor analysis is another essential step. Identify the keywords your competitors are ranking for using tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs. This will help you find gaps and opportunities in your keyword strategy.
Lastly, consider niche keywords with low competition but high relevance to your specific services. As one Head of SEO mentioned, targeting narrow business niches with low search volume can still bring valuable leads with minimal marketing budget.
How to find the best keywords for SEO?
Finding the best keywords for SEO involves balancing search volume, competition, and relevance. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
  1. Start with Seed Keywords: Use initial keywords related to your services. For example, "content marketing" or "e-commerce solutions."
  1. Expand with Tools: Use keyword research tools like SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool and AnswerThePublic to find related terms and variations.
  1. Analyze Metrics: Look at search volume and keyword difficulty. High-volume keywords are great for visibility but often have high competition. Low-volume keywords may be easier to rank for but should still be relevant.
  1. Consider User Intent: Match keywords with user intent categories like informational, navigational, and transactional. For instance, someone searching for "best digital marketing agency" is likely ready to hire, making it a valuable keyword.
  1. Competitor Keywords: Identify what keywords your competitors are ranking for and find opportunities where you can compete effectively.
Which keywords are best to target in SEO?
The best keywords to target in SEO are those that align with your business goals, have a balance of search volume and competition, and match user intent. Here are some types to consider:
  • Short-Tail Keywords: These are broad and have high search volume, like "digital marketing." While competitive, they help with brand visibility.
  • Long-Tail Keywords: These are more specific and have lower search volume, like "affordable digital marketing agency in [city name]." They often have higher conversion rates due to their specificity.
  • Local Keywords: If your agency serves specific areas, include geographic terms like "SEO services in [city name]."
  • Niche Keywords: These target very specific services or industries, like "SEO for law firms." They may have low competition and attract highly targeted leads.
By strategically selecting and optimizing these keywords, you can improve your digital marketing agency's SEO performance and attract the right audience.
Next, we'll conclude with a summary of how Adaptify.ai can help automate and improve your SEO efforts, making your keyword research and implementation more efficient.
Conclusion
Keyword research is essential for boosting your digital marketing agency's SEO. It helps you understand your audience, generate effective keywords, and optimize your content. But this process can be time-consuming and complex.
That's where Adaptify.ai comes in. Our automated SEO services streamline keyword research and implementation, saving you time and effort. We use advanced tools to identify the best keywords for your agency, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.
With Adaptify.ai, you get:
  • Efficiency: Our automated system handles the heavy lifting, so you can focus on running your business.
  • Comprehensive Solutions: From keyword research to content optimization, we cover all aspects of SEO.
  • Expertise: Our platform leverages the latest in SEO technology to deliver top-notch results.
Ready to take your SEO to the next level? Work with Adaptify.ai to boost your SEO and watch your digital marketing agency thrive.
For more tips and insights on SEO for marketing agencies, explore our other articles in this topic cluster.
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Hansjan Kamerling
Co-Founder of Adaptify, I specialize in SEO for marketing agencies through automation.
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