Two easy ways to identify target keywords

Ahhh… keywords.

Keywords and search have a difficult relationship- which I will surmise later on down the road (it’s long, and to be frank, I barely want to read about it, let alone write about it).

But the moral of the story is- keywords matter, and when you install SEO Manager we give you a field to enter Target Keywords.

The red is bad.

Using this field means that you will know if the target keyword you have identified is in both your Page Title and Meta Descriptions.

Additionally, I highly recommend integrating whatever keywords you identify as Target Keywords in both your product descriptions and in your blog content.

All of that being said, let’s talk about the two easiest ways to identify target keywords that you are trying to rank for.

1. Look at your competitors

When I still did SEO consulting and implementation — this was always my “go to.”

Look at your competitors and see what they are doing. Look at repeating words you see in their content.

If you notice a pattern, write it down. I love whiteboards, and while probably not the most efficient way to manage this process, I would write these repeating words on a white board ( which I would then add to using other methods) so that I always had the keywords visible as I was writing content.

If you’re anti white board and have an Apple computer/laptop use Stickies.

The most important takeaway from this–

If your competitors are doing better than you, they are doing something right.

Pay attention to them, and outdo them. Use the same keywords that they are using, then out-write them, out-content them, and out-shine them.

It works. You can do it.

2. Use Google Adwords

We all know that Google Adwords cost money- but you can use Google Adwords as a research tool without spending a dime.

Here’s how.

1. Login, then click on “Tools”

2. Click on “Keyword Planner” in the “Tools” drop down.

3. Click here

Let me briefly interject and say that if you need advanced guidance on using the Keyword Planner, Google outlined it very well themselves. So, I would definitely advocate reading that in addition to this.

Okay, continuing on.

4. Fill this out with information relative to your product and the keywords you have already identified. Then, click “Get Ideas”

5. Identify target keyword opportunities here.

The goal here is to look for keywords that have high monthly searches and low competition. But, we don’t live in a perfect world- so high monthly searches and medium competition works as well.

Important — If your keywords do have not have many monthly searches, that directly impacts your ability to get found.

I know that a lot of Shopify users are selling niche products. So sometimes, this does limit the search volume that you will get. If this is the case, make sure you are utilizing a full spectrum of outbound SEO strategies. This includes Facebook Ads ( I would recommend using Kit for this).

Throw these keywords onto your whiteboard/google sheet/sticky. Put them up, remember them and use them.

Good luck, and have fun!