E-commerce Keyword Research: How to Find and Use Low Competition Keywords

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, standing out from the crowd can be a real challenge. However, there's a hidden gem that can give you the upper hand—keyword research. By finding and using low-competition keywords, your small business can thrive in the digital marketplace. Let's explore how you can unlock the potential of keyword research to boost your e-commerce success.

Why Keyword Research Matters in E-commerce

Keyword research is the backbone of effective e-commerce content marketing. It's the process of identifying the words and phrases potential customers use when searching for products or services like yours. By understanding these keywords, you can tailor your content to match what your audience is looking for, ultimately driving more traffic to your site.

Improving Visibility

When you use the right keywords, your website becomes more visible to search engines like Google. This means higher rankings in search results, which translates to more organic traffic. The higher you rank, the more likely customers are to find you, which is essential for any e-commerce business.

Targeting the Right Audience

Accurate keyword research helps you target the right audience. Instead of casting a wide net, you can attract customers who are genuinely interested in what you offer. This not only increases your chances of making a sale but also enhances customer satisfaction, as you're meeting their specific needs.

Staying Competitive

In the competitive world of e-commerce, staying ahead of the game is crucial. By continually researching and updating your keywords, you can adapt to market trends and stay relevant. This keeps you ahead of competitors who may not be as diligent in their keyword strategies.

Different Types of Keywords

Before discussing the details of finding low-competition keywords, it's crucial to understand the different types and their significance.

• Short-Tail Keywords: These are usually one or two words long and are highly competitive. Examples include "shoes" or "laptops."
• Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer phrases that are more specific and less competitive. For example, "best running shoes for women" or "affordable gaming laptops."
• LSI Keywords: Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords are related terms that help search engines understand the context of your content. For instance, if your main keyword is "coffee," LSI keywords might include "espresso" or "cappuccino."

Understanding Low-Competition Keywords

Low-competition keywords are exactly what they sound like—keywords that have less competition. This means fewer websites are targeting these specific words or phrases, making it easier for your content to rank higher in search results.

The key to successful keyword research is finding low-competition keywords that balance search volume and competition. While high-volume keywords are attractive, they often come with fierce competition. Low-competition keywords provide a sweet spot where you can rank higher without battling numerous competitors.

Many low-competition keywords are long-tail keywords. These are longer, more specific search queries that users are likely to search for. For example, instead of "shoes," a long-tail keyword might be "women's running shoes with arch support."

What Keywords Should You Avoid?

While low-competition keywords are beneficial, there are also types of keywords that you should avoid. These include:

• Generic Keywords: As mentioned earlier, short-tail keywords like "shoes" or "laptops" tend to be highly competitive and may not bring in qualified traffic.
• Irrelevant Keywords: It's essential to focus on keywords that are relevant to your business and the products or services you offer. Using irrelevant keywords will only attract uninterested visitors who won't convert into customers.
• Keywords with Minimal to Very Low Search Volume: While low-competition keywords are good, you should also consider the search volume. If a keyword has very low or no search volume, it may not be worth targeting as it won't bring in much traffic.

Benefits of Using a Low-Competition Keyword Strategy

Incorporating low-competition keywords into your e-commerce strategy offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact the success of your business.

Improved Visibility and Brand Awareness

By appearing in relevant search results, you increase your brand's visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find and recognize you.

Better ROI

Targeting less competitive keywords often leads to a better return on investment, as you're focusing on terms with higher chances of conversion.

Long-Term Success

An ongoing keyword research strategy focused on low-competition terms can lead to sustained long-term success. By continually fine-tuning your approach, you can stay ahead of the competition and drive consistent results.

Steps to Finding Low Competition Keywords

Finding low-competition keywords is a strategic process that requires careful planning and the right tools. Here are the steps to help you identify these valuable keywords:

Brainstorm Seed Keywords

Start by brainstorming a list of potential keyword ideas related to your products, services, or niche. Use tools like Google Autocomplete, which suggests popular search terms based on what you type in the Google search bar.

Think of terms that your target audience might use when looking for what you offer. Create a broad list without worrying about competition or search volume at this stage.

Use Keyword Research Tools

There are many keyword research tools you can utilize to identify low-competition keywords. Some popular options include Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, and Ahrefs. These tools provide vital information such as search volume, keyword difficulty, and competitive analysis. Look for keywords with a lower keyword difficulty (KD) score and reasonable search volume.

What is Keyword Difficulty?

Keyword difficulty (KD) is a metric used in SEO to determine how challenging it will be to rank for a particular keyword in search engine results. This score is typically calculated based on various factors, including the number of websites competing for that keyword, the quality and relevancy of their content, and the strength of their backlink profiles.

A higher KD score indicates more competition and a tougher ranking challenge, whereas a lower KD score suggests less competition and an easier path to achieving higher search rankings. Understanding keyword difficulty can help you prioritize your SEO efforts, focusing on keywords that offer a balanced opportunity for visibility and manageable competition.

Analyze Competitor Keywords

Another way to find low-competition keywords is by analyzing your competitors' keywords. A keyword research tool like Semrush or Ahrefs can allow you to enter a competitor's website URL and see which keywords they are ranking for, along with their search volume and keyword difficulty scores. This can help you identify gaps in your own keyword strategy and find opportunities to target low-competition keywords that your competitors may be neglecting.

Consider Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords offer significant advantages, making them essential for your SEO strategy. These keywords are less competitive due to their specificity. While "shoes" might be highly competitive, a keyword like "best women's trail running shoes for wide feet" will likely have fewer contenders, making it easier to rank higher in search results.

Long-tail keywords also attract more qualified traffic. Users searching for specific terms usually have a clear intent and are further along in the buyer's journey, making them more likely to convert into customers. For example, someone searching for "best organic green tea for weight loss" has a more defined need than someone searching for "green tea."

Finally, long-tail keywords help you connect with a niche audience with specific interests. By targeting these unique searches, you can establish your brand as an authority in a particular niche, building a loyal audience over time. Additionally, they allow you to create highly relevant and focused content that resonates with your target audience.

Analyze Search Volume and Keyword Competition

Once you have a list of potential keywords, it's crucial to evaluate their search volume and level of competition. 

Search volume refers to the number of times a keyword is searched for within a specific period, usually a month. A higher search volume indicates greater interest in that keyword, potentially driving more traffic to your site if you rank well for it. However, high search volume often comes with increased competition, making it harder to achieve a top-ranking position.

To analyze search volume, you can use various keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, or Ahrefs. These tools provide comprehensive data, allowing you to assess not only the average monthly search volume but also trends over time. This insight can help you identify seasonal keywords or emerging trends that could offer untapped opportunities.

On the other side of the equation is keyword competition, which gauges how many other websites are also trying to rank for the same term. A common metric for this is the Keyword Difficulty (KD) score, which we discussed earlier. A lower KD score suggests that fewer sites are competing for the keyword, making it easier for you to rank higher in search results.

Balancing search volume and keyword competition is essential for a successful SEO strategy. Targeting keywords with high search volume but moderate to low competition can provide the best of both worlds—ample traffic potential without the intense competition that makes ranking difficult. By meticulously analyzing these factors, you can prioritize your efforts on keywords that offer the greatest chance for SEO success.

Evaluate Search Intent

Search intent refers to the reason behind a user's search query. Understanding this intent is crucial for choosing the right keywords and creating content that aligns with what users are looking for. There are four main types of search intent:

• Informational: Users seeking answers, advice, or guidance on a topic.
• Navigational: Users searching for a specific website or page.
• Commercial: Users interested in purchasing a product or service.
• Transactional: Users ready to make a purchase.
  

By analyzing keyword search volume and competition in combination with search intent, you can find keywords that offer the best opportunity for your website and target audience.

For example, if you are an e-commerce store selling organic green tea, targeting keywords with a commercial or transactional intent would likely be more effective than informational or navigational keywords. This can help drive qualified traffic and potentially increase conversions on your site.

Refine and Prioritize

Narrow down your list based on the criteria above, and prioritize keywords that offer the best balance of relevance, search volume, and low competition.

By following these steps, you can uncover low-competition keywords that are highly effective in driving targeted traffic to your e-commerce site, giving you a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

Incorporating Keywords into Your E-commerce Strategy

Once you've identified your low-competition keywords, the next step is incorporating them effectively into your e-commerce website and content strategy.

• Product Descriptions: Make sure to include your keywords naturally within your product descriptions. This not only helps with SEO but also provides valuable information to potential customers.
• Blog Posts: Creating blog posts centered around your targeted keywords can drive organic traffic to your site. Ensure your content is engaging and informative to keep readers coming back.
• Meta Tags: Don't forget to optimize your meta titles and descriptions with your keywords. This improves your click-through rate and helps search engines understand the relevance of your page.

Conclusion

Incorporating low-competition keywords into your e-commerce SEO strategy can significantly impact your business's success. By understanding the different types of keywords, utilizing tools and methods for research, and implementing best practices, you can attract more organic traffic, boost sales, and improve the overall user experience on your site.

Remember to continually update and refine your keyword strategy to stay ahead of the competition and achieve long-term success. So don't underestimate the power of low-competition keywords - they may be just what your business needs to thrive in a competitive market.

Keep researching, optimizing, and refining your keyword strategy, and watch your e-commerce business grow! Looking for e-commerce SEO services? Contact our team of experts at BlueTuskr, an e-commerce marketing agency!