Every day, potential customers are searching for businesses like yours online. The question is how to find what customers are searching for and how they can find you, or are they finding your competitors?
The secret to getting discovered online lies in understanding business keywords, the exact words and phrases your customers type into search engines when they’re looking for your products or services. At Kwikaweb, we’ve helped countless businesses boost their online visibility, and it all starts with mastering keyword research.
Let’s break down what keywords are, why they matter, and how you can find the ones that will bring customers to your door.
What Are Business Keywords?
Business keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines to find information, products, or services. For businesses, they are the crucial terms used in content and advertising to attract the right audience online, improve search engine rankings, and connect with potential customers.
If you run a hair styling salon, for example, your keywords might be
- “Hair stylist in Lagos”
- “Hair stylist near me”
- “Best hairstylist in Lagos”
Those few words are powerful because they represent what people actually want. Knowing and using them means you’re showing up where your customers are already looking.
Why Keywords Matter for Your Business
Here’s the reality: if your website doesn’t use the words your customers are searching for, they’ll never find you. It’s that simple.
Keywords help you:
- Get found by the right people who are already interested in what you offer
- Understand your customers better by seeing exactly what they’re looking for
- Create content that answers their questions and solves their problems
- Compete effectively even against bigger businesses with larger marketing budgets
The best part? Unlike paid advertising, ranking for keywords through good content and SEO provides long-term results without ongoing costs.
How to Find the Right Keywords for Your Business
Finding your keywords doesn’t need to feel like guesswork. Here’s how to do it effectively:
1. Understand Your Audience
Start by thinking like your customers.
What would they search for if they needed your product or service?
What words or questions would they type?
Write them down, you’ll be surprised how often the simplest phrases matter most.
2. Use Keyword Research Tools
Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or SEMrush can help you see:
- How many people are searching for a keyword each month?
- How competitive it is.
- Related search terms you might have missed.
3. Check Out Your Competition
Look at the websites of your successful competitors. What keywords appear in their;
- Page titles
- Headings
- Service descriptions
- Blog posts
If they’re ranking well for certain terms, those keywords are worth considering for your own strategy. Just make sure you’re not copying, use this as inspiration to find your unique angle.
4. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
While everyone wants to rank for broad terms like “web hosting,” these are extremely competitive. Long-tail keywords are your secret weapon because:
- They’re less competitive and easier to rank for
- They attract more qualified visitors who know what they want
- They often lead to higher conversion rates
For example, instead of targeting “hosting,” you might focus on “reliable WordPress hosting for photographers” or “affordable hosting for small business websites.”
5. Think Local
If you serve a specific area, local keywords are gold. Add your city, neighbourhood, or region to your keywords:
- Web hosting Nigeria
- Website design services Lagos
- WordPress hosting in West Africa
Local keywords help you compete in your immediate market rather than against every business worldwide.
Where to Use Your Keywords
Once you’ve found your keywords, strategically place them in:
- Page titles and headings: Make them prominent and natural
- Website content: Use them naturally throughout your text
- Meta descriptions: The snippet that appears in search results
- Image alt text: Helps search engines understand your images
- Blog posts: Create helpful content around your keywords
Important: Never “keyword stuff” (cramming keywords unnaturally into your content). Search engines penalise this, and it makes your content unreadable. Always write for humans first, search engines second.
You don’t need to master 100 keywords overnight. Start with 5-10 highly relevant keywords for your business, create quality content around them, and track your results. As you learn what works, you can expand your strategy.
Remember: keyword research isn’t a one-time task. Customer search habits change, new trends emerge, and your business evolves. Revisit your keyword strategy every few months to stay current and competitive.
Ready to get your business found online? With the right keywords and a reliable hosting partner like Kwikaweb, you’ll connect with customers actively searching for what you offer. Start building your online presence today and watch your visibility grow.