Professional keyword research helps you find the right search terms to attract targeted traffic. We identify high-quality keywords with optimal search volume, low competition, and a high conversion probability, ensuring your content reaches the exact users searching for your products or services.
Keyword research is the fundamental process of identifying search terms that potential customers enter into Google and other search engines to find products, services, or information. Unlike general content ideas, strategic keyword research is based on data: search volume, competition, search intent, and conversion potential.
Professional keyword research includes the analysis of short-tail keywords (broad terms with high search volume), long-tail keywords (specific phrases with higher conversion rates), local keywords, question-based keywords, and semantically related terms. Identifying keyword difficulty, cost-per-click (CPC) values, and seasonal trends also plays a crucial role.
Professional keyword research ensures that your content strategy is based on genuine user needs, not assumptions. The result: higher rankings for relevant search terms, more qualified organic traffic, and a better ROI on your SEO investments. Learn more about SEOoptimized content creation.
Short-tail keywords: Short, broad search terms (1-2 words) such as "SEO agency" or "keyword tool". They have high search volume, but also high competition and lower conversion rates. Short-tail keywords are ideal for brand awareness and top-of-funnel traffic.
Long-tail keywords: Specific, longer phrases (3+ words) such as “SEO agency for small businesses Munich”. They have lower search volume but significantly higher conversion rates and less competition. 70% of all search queries are long-tail keywords.
Transactional keywords: Search terms with purchase intent, such as "buy SEO services" or "test keyword tool for free." These keywords signal that users are ready to convert. They often have a high cost-per-click (CPC) and value for e-commerce.
Informational keywords: Search terms for informational searches, such as "What is keyword research?" or "SEO tips for beginners." Ideal for content marketing and thought leadership. They attract top-of-funnel traffic.
Local keywords: Location-based search terms such as “SEO agency Berlin” or “web design near me”. Crucial for local SEO and businesses with a physical location.
Question-based keywords: Search queries in question form, such as “How do I find good keywords?” or “Why is keyword research important?”. Perfect for featured snippets and FAQ content.
The cost of professional keyword research varies depending on the scope and industry. A one-time basic research project with 50-100 keywords typically starts at €800-€2,000, while comprehensive analyses including competitor research are available from €1,500. For ongoing monthly updates, budget €300-€800.
Basic keyword research typically takes 3-7 business days. Comprehensive analyses including competitor research and keyword clustering can take 10-14 days. The duration depends on your industry, the desired number of keywords, and the depth of the analysis.
On-page optimization encompasses all measures taken directly on your website (content, technology, structure). Off-page optimization focuses on external factors such as backlinks and social signals. Both areas complement each other and are essential for successful SEO.
You can implement basic measures like content optimization yourself. However, for technical aspects (structured data, page speed, core web vitals) and strategic keyword research, professional support is recommended to achieve optimal results.
The most important factors are: high-quality, relevant content; optimized title tags and meta descriptions; clean URL structure; fast loading times; mobile optimization; internal linking and technical SEO basics such as schema markup.
Google Keyword Planner: This free tool from Google Ads is ideal for beginners. It shows search volume, competition, and CPC estimates. Perfect for initial keyword ideas and local research. Limitation: Inaccurate data without an active Google Ads campaign.
Ahrefs Keywords Explorer: Premium tool with a massive keyword database (10+ billion keywords). Displays keyword difficulty, search volume, click-through rate, and SERP features. Particularly strong in competitor analysis and content gap identification.
SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool: A comprehensive tool with over 20 billion keywords. Offers keyword grouping, intent analysis, and question-based keywords. Integrated with SEO Writing Assistant for content optimization.
Ubersuggest: A budget-friendly alternative from Neil Patel. It offers a good balance between features and price. It displays search volume, SEO difficulty, and content ideas. Ideal for small businesses and freelancers.
AnswerThePublic: Visualizes question-based keywords. Perfect for content ideas and featured snippet optimization. Free version available with a limited number of searches per day.
☑ Define business goals (traffic, conversions, brand awareness)
☑ Analyze target group (persona development, needs, pain points)
☑ Collect seed keywords (brainstorming, product/service names)
☑ Use Google Keyword Planner (determine search volume and competition)
☑ Analyze competitor keywords (Ahrefs, SEMrush)
☑ Identify long-tail keywords (specific 3+ word phrases)
☑ Determine search intent (Informational, Navigational, Transactional)
☑ Assess keyword difficulty (realistic ranking chances)
☑ Check search volume (sufficient traffic potential?)
☑ Analyze CPC values (commercial relevance)
☑ Consider seasonal trends (Google Trends)
☑ Include local keywords (for Local SEO)
☑ Find question keywords (AnswerThePublic, People Also Ask)
☑ Research LSI keywords (semantically related terms)
☑ Check SERP features (featured snippets, knowledge panels)
☑ Create keyword clusters (thematic grouping)
☑ Set priorities (Quick Wins vs. Long-Term Goals)
☑ Perform content mapping (assign keywords to URLs)
☑ Keyword gap analysis (identifying untapped opportunities)
☑ Consider voice search keywords (natural language)
☑ Define negative keywords (for PPC campaigns)
☑ Measure keyword performance (rankings, traffic, conversions)
☑ Update keyword list regularly (trends, competition)
☑ Create documentation (keyword database, tracking system)
Keyword research is only the first step – strategic implementation determines success. A well-thought-out keyword strategy combines research results with content planning, technical optimization, and performance measurement.
Keyword mapping: Assign each researched keyword to a specific URL. Avoid keyword cannibalization – each page should be optimized for a primary keyword and related variations. Create a mapping matrix: Keyword | URL | Search volume | Priority | Status.
Content calendar: Plan content creation based on keyword priorities. Start with quick-win keywords with low competition, followed by strategic long-term keywords. Consider seasonal trends and industry events.
On-page integration: Naturally integrate keywords into title tags, H1 headings, meta descriptions, URLs, and content. Focus on search intent – informational content needs detailed explanations, transactional content needs clear CTAs.
Performance tracking: Measure keyword rankings with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. Track organic traffic, click-through rate, and conversions. Optimize underperforming keywords or add new ones.
Continuous Optimization: Keyword research is not a one-off project. Update your keyword list quarterly, analyze competitor activity, and adapt your strategy to changes in search behavior.