What Should Be the First Step of a Structured SEO Plan?

The first step of any structured SEO plan is effective keyword research. In the context of Nigeria, where the digital market is burgeoning, understanding the right keywords can be the difference between obscurity and visibility for your business. This blog post delves into why keyword research is crucial and how to execute it effectively in Nigeria.

What Are Keywords? 

Keywords are specific terms or phrases used to describe the content of a web page. They help search engines understand the topic of the page, enabling better indexing and ranking in search results.

What Is Keyword Research?

Keyword research is the process of identifying and analyzing the terms that people enter into search engines. The goal is to find keywords relevant to your content, which can drive organic traffic and improve SEO. Keyword research is crucial when doing SEO and it is the first step to conducting a structured SEO plan. 

Examples of Keywords to Use in Nigeria 

In Nigeria, the choice of keywords depends on the industry, target audience, and the specific goals of your digital marketing campaign. Here are some general categories and examples:

• E-commerce: “Buy online Nigeria,” “Jumia deals,” “Konga sales”
• Real Estate: “Lagos apartments,” “Abuja homes,” “Ibadan property”
• Food and Beverage: “Nigerian jollof,” “Lagos restaurants,” “Abuja cafes”
• Travel and Tourism: “Nigeria tourist spots,” “Cheap flights to Lagos,” “Calabar festival”
• Healthcare: “Nigeria hospitals,” “Lagos doctors,” “Health insurance Nigeria”
• Education: “Nigeria universities,” “Lagos schools,” “JAMB registration”
• Finance: “Nigeria banks,” “Forex trading Nigeria,” “Loan in Lagos”
• Entertainment: “Nollywood movies,” “Afrobeats songs,” “Lagos events”
• Technology: “Data plans Nigeria,” “Best smartphones Nigeria,” “Laptop sales Lagos”
• Jobs and Careers: “Jobs in Nigeria,” “Internships Lagos,” “Career fair Abuja”

Remember to conduct thorough keyword research to identify the most effective keywords for your specific needs.

Importance of Keyword Research

Keyword research is the cornerstone of any successful digital marketing strategy, especially when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO). It serves as the blueprint for creating content that not only resonates with your target audience but also performs well in search engine rankings. Here’s why keyword research is indispensable:

• Understanding User Intent: Keyword research helps you get into the minds of your audience. It allows you to understand what terms they are using to find products, services, or information. This is crucial for tailoring your content to meet the specific needs and questions your audience has.

• Driving Targeted Traffic: The right keywords attract the right audience. Generic or overly broad keywords may drive traffic, but they might not convert well. Specific keywords, on the other hand, attract users who are more likely to engage with your content and take desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

• Competitive Edge: Knowing what keywords your competitors are targeting can give you valuable insights into market trends and consumer behavior. This information can help you refine your own strategy and identify opportunities that your competitors may have overlooked.

• Content Development: Keywords serve as the foundation for your content strategy. They guide you on what topics to focus on, ensuring that your content is both valuable to users and optimized for search engines. This increases the likelihood of achieving higher search rankings and, consequently, more visibility.

• Local Optimization: For businesses operating in specific geographic locations, like cities in Nigeria, local keyword research is essential. It helps you target local customers more effectively, which is particularly important for small businesses looking to attract foot traffic.

• Resource Allocation: By understanding which keywords are most effective, you can allocate your resources more wisely, focusing on high-performing keywords rather than spreading yourself too thin across too many topics.

• Performance Metrics: Keyword research provides you with measurable data. You can track how well your keywords are performing in terms of traffic, engagement, and conversions. This data is invaluable for making informed decisions and optimizing your strategy over time.

Keyword research is not just a one-time task but an ongoing process that should inform every aspect of your digital marketing strategy. It’s essential for aligning your efforts with market demand, staying ahead of competitors, and achieving measurable results.

Tools for Keyword Research

Choosing the right keyword research tool is crucial for SEO success. From free options like Google Keyword Planner to comprehensive platforms like SEMrush, each tool offers unique features to optimize your strategy.

1. Google Keyword Planner: This is a free tool offered within Google Ads and is widely used for keyword research. It provides a range of features such as keyword suggestions, search volume, and estimated competition levels. You can also see the average cost-per-click for each keyword if you’re planning to use Google Ads. The tool is particularly useful for beginners and those who want to integrate their keyword strategy with Google’s own advertising platform. Since the data comes directly from Google, it’s considered highly reliable.

2. SEMrush: This is a more advanced, all-in-one marketing toolkit that offers a wide range of features, including keyword research. SEMrush provides detailed data on keyword volume, keyword difficulty, and even shows the websites currently ranking for those keywords. One of its standout features is the competitive analysis, which allows you to see what keywords your competitors are ranking for, giving you the opportunity to strategize accordingly. While it’s a paid tool, the depth of insights it offers justifies the cost for many businesses.

3. Ahrefs: Primarily known for its backlink analysis capabilities, Ahrefs also offers robust keyword research features. It provides data on keyword difficulty, search volume, and how many backlinks you might need to rank for a particular keyword. Ahrefs also offers a feature called “Keyword Explorer,” which provides a list of keyword ideas along with metrics like clicks per search, return rate, and more. Like SEMrush, Ahrefs is a paid tool, but it’s invaluable for those looking for an in-depth analysis.

4. Ubersuggest: This is a free tool developed by Neil Patel, and it’s great for generating keyword ideas. You can type in a keyword, and Ubersuggest will provide you with a list of related keywords, their search volumes, and competition levels. It also offers content ideas based on the keywords you’re researching, making it a good tool for content marketers. While it may not offer as comprehensive data as SEMrush or Ahrefs, it’s a solid choice for those on a budget or just getting started with keyword research.

Each of these tools has its own unique features and advantages, so your choice may depend on your specific needs, the size of your business, and your budget.

Steps to Conduct Keyword Research and a Structure SEO Plan in Nigeria

Conducting keyword research in Nigeria involves a systematic approach, from understanding your niche to analyzing metrics. These seven steps offer a comprehensive guide to optimize your SEO strategy effectively.

1. Understand Your Niche

The first step in conducting keyword research in Nigeria is to understand your business niche thoroughly. This involves identifying your competitors, understanding your target audience’s needs, and knowing what makes your business unique. This foundational knowledge will guide your keyword research process.

2. Start with Seed Keywords

Seed keywords are the basic, broad terms that describe your business or industry. For instance, if you have a fashion store in Lagos, your seed keywords could be as simple as “fashion,” “Lagos fashion,” or “Nigeria fashion.” These seed keywords serve as the starting point for more in-depth research.

3. Use Keyword Tools

Once you have your seed keywords, the next step is to input them into keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. These tools will generate a list of keyword ideas, along with important metrics like search volume and competition level.

4. Analyze Keyword Metrics

After generating a list of potential keywords, you’ll need to analyze various metrics to gauge their effectiveness. Look at search volume to understand how many people are searching for the keyword, keyword difficulty to estimate how hard it would be to rank for it, and cost-per-click (CPC) if you’re considering paid advertising.

5. Consider Local Keywords

Local keywords are incredibly important in a diverse and geographically varied country like Nigeria. Phrases like “best restaurants in Abuja” or “Lagos digital marketing services” can help you target specific cities or regions, making your SEO efforts more effective.

6. Check Competitor Keywords

Tools like SEMrush allow you to spy on your competitors’ keyword strategies. By understanding what keywords your competitors are ranking for, you can identify gaps in your own strategy or discover new opportunities.

7. Finalize Keyword List

Based on your analysis, compile a finalized list of keywords that you aim to rank for. This list will serve as the backbone of your content creation and SEO strategy, guiding you in producing content that not only resonates with your target audience but also performs well in search engine rankings.

By following these seven steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a robust keyword strategy tailored for the Nigerian market.

Implementing Keywords

1. On-Page SEO: It refers to optimizing individual web pages to rank higher in search engines. Keywords play a crucial role here. Make sure to include your target keywords in the title tag, meta description, and throughout the content. For example, if your keyword is “Nigeria fashion,” your title could be “Top 10 Nigeria Fashion Trends of 2023.” Also, use variations of the keyword and related phrases within the content to make it more comprehensive and to avoid keyword stuffing.

2. Off-Page SEO: This involves activities that happen away from your website but affect your ranking. One key aspect is backlinking, where other websites link back to yours. When building backlinks, use your target keywords as anchor text. This signals to search engines that your site is a relevant source for that keyword. However, ensure that the backlinks are from high-quality, reputable sites to gain the most SEO benefit.

3. Content Marketing: It is about creating valuable, relevant content to attract a target audience. Your chosen keywords should guide the topics you cover. For instance, if one of your keywords is “Lagos real estate,” you could create blog posts, videos, or infographics about buying property in Lagos. The goal is to create content that not only ranks well but also provides value to your audience, encouraging engagement and conversions.

4. Local SEO: This is particularly important for businesses targeting specific geographic locations. Use local keywords in your Google My Business profile, including the description, services, and even in customer reviews if possible. Also, include these local keywords in local citations—mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. This can help you rank higher in local search results, making it easier for people in your area to find your business.

By implementing these strategies, you’re not just inserting keywords randomly but integrating them into a well-rounded SEO and content marketing strategy. This holistic approach ensures that you’re making the most out of your keyword research, ultimately driving more targeted traffic to your site.

Conclusion

Keyword research is the foundational step in a structured SEO plan, especially in a diverse and growing market like Nigeria. It informs your content strategy, helps you understand your audience, and gives you a competitive edge. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a robust keyword strategy that propels your business to the top of search engine rankings.