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4 SEO Keyword Research Mistakes You’re Making Without Realizing It


These 4 seo keyword research will cost your online coaching business from getting organic leads.


If you run a small business, you're familiar with SEO. You've invested a lot of time looking into keywords, tweaking your website, and aiming to rank higher than your rivals. 


Yet even with all your hard work, you might still be falling into some typical SEO keyword research traps that stop you from attracting leads.


Key Takeaways:


The Evolution of Keyword Research

Keyword research has changed a lot. You can't just do keyword stuffing into your website and expect to rank number one on Google anymore. 


If you're still doing that - Stop now, or you'll end up in Google's dark corners, never appearing in your dream clients' search results. 


The main idea is that we don't just plug in keywords and cross our fingers these days.


Now, SEO keyword research means grasping user intent, delivering quality, and always tweaking your approach.


Let's examine the 4 SEO keyword research mistakes that might be limiting your online visibility and how to fix them.


1. Ignoring Search Intent

One of the biggest SEO mistakes I see a lot of online coaches make when writing their website content is ignoring search intent.


Search intent refers to the reason behind your dream client' search query.

  • Are they looking for information, or

  • Are they looking to make a purchase?

  • Are they comparing the pros and cons of a future purchase?


How To Fix SEO Issues Related To Search Intent

Create content that answers your dream clients’ questions or provides solutions.


Every time you're optimizing service pages or blogs, align them with the needs of your dream clients in a way that they don’t have to leave your website to find more information.


For example, if your dream client searches for “best life coaches for self-confidence,” their intent is likely to find actionable advice, not just a list of life coaches.



2. Neglecting Local Search

If you’re a small business owner or run an online coaching business, local search is crucial whether or not you have a physical location.


If you’re not paying attention to local search, you’re missing a big opportunity.


Make sure to include location-specific keywords in your content and optimize your website for local search.


SEO Keyword Research Strategies For Local Search

Using keywords that are specific to your location, such as "SEO for [city/state]" or "[industry] in [city/state]".


  • Include Local Keywords: Use specific phrases like “SEO for life coaches in NJ.”

  • Claim Your Google My Business: Make sure your business is listed and optimized.


Targeting local search can drive more relevant traffic to your site and increase your chances of converting local visitors into clients.



3. Keyword Research AI - Using ChatGPT



AI - ChatGPT- has shaken up modern tech, and I've noticed many online coaches use it to do research keywords.


If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: AI by itself for keyword research doesn't work.


Counting on AI to give you ranking keywords for your blog posts can waste your time and might even harm your chances of popping up on Google at all.


Here's how misusing AI can hurt you:

Incorrect Information: AI sometimes gives out data that isn't always right or useful.


No Focus on Content Quality: AI doesn't think about things like how good the stuff is on top-ranked pages.


Future Trends: AI can't guess future search trends like humans can. You might not catch up-and-coming keywords or smart content angles that click better with your audience.


Use ChatGPT to get ideas and as a starting point

Use AI to get ideas and a jumping-off point. It can lend a hand in coming up with a broader set of keywords. But always run these ideas through your own knowledge of your field and the dream clients you're trying to reach.


Doing your own digging to check facts and get what searchers want is key. Keep in mind even the best keywords won't do much without quality content that clicks with your readers.


4. Over-Reliance on Keyword Research Tools

Finally, one of the biggest SEO keyword research mistakes you might be making is over-relying on keyword tools. While these tools can be incredibly helpful, depending solely on them can lead to focusing on the wrong indicators.


This approach often results in wasting time and selecting keywords that won’t improve your rankings.


Let’s break down the common pitfalls:


Focus on Search Volume Only

Focusing solely on search volume is a major mistake. High search volume keywords might seem appealing, but they often come with intense competition.


If you target only these keywords without considering other factors, you might find it challenging to rank well.


Failing to Consider Keyword Difficulty

As mentioned in the previous section, keywords with high search volume often come with high difficulty.


Without evaluating how competitive a keyword is, you risk targeting terms that are too hard to rank for, wasting your efforts and resources, and never appearing in your dream clients' searches.


Not Doing Competitor Keyword Research

Skipping competitor keyword research means missing out on valuable insights. Analyzing the keywords your competitors are targeting can help you identify gaps and opportunities. Without this step, you might overlook keywords that could give you an edge.


If you want an easy, effective, and proven way to find keywords that have helped my clients rank number one and get leads from Google—and write optimized blog posts without relying on costly keyword research tools—join my SEO Amigas Heroes Club!


Key Metrics to Consider During Keyword Selection

Now if you are using a keyword tool I want you to look for specific metrics that you need to consider while making your choices.


Making a decision based purely on intuition or picking words with high volume only may prove costly for your marketing efforts in the long run.


So let's discuss some vital metrics you should pay close attention to when conducting keyword research.


When choosing keywords, don’t just look at the numbers.


Here are key metrics to keep in mind:

  • Keyword Difficulty: Is the keyword’s difficulty score over 40? This means it’s more challenging to rank for. Is it worth the effort and competition? Evaluate if the keyword aligns with your strategy and if you have the resources to compete effectively.


  • Competition Level: How many other sites are targeting this keyword? High competition can make it harder to rank. Assess if your site has the authority and content to stand out among competitors.


  • Search Intent: Are you only picking informational keywords? What about transactional and commercial ones? Remember, focusing solely on informational keywords may cost you conversions. Make sure to address all types of questions your dream clients have to cover their full journey.


  • Website Authority Score: What is your website’s authority score? A higher score means better chances of ranking well. Consider how this score impacts your ability to compete for your chosen keywords.


To maximize your SEO efforts, don’t rely only on these metrics. Incorporate manual search, your client feedback, and research to get a complete picture and refine your strategy. 


This approach ensures you select the most effective keywords for your target audience.


Common FAQs About Common Keyword Research Mistakes


What is the most effective way to begin your keyword search?

Start by analyzing your current rankings. Understanding which keywords you’re already ranking for helps identify opportunities and gaps in your current strategy. This insight can guide you in selecting new keywords and optimizing existing content.

What is the first thing you should do before starting keyword research?

How long does it take to see results from keyword research?


Wrapping It Up

online visibility and lead generation. Don’t just rely on keyword tools—make sure to balance search volume with keyword difficulty, and always consider user intent.For the best results, combine keyword tool data with manual research and competitor insights. 


What SEO mistake did you find most surprising or were you making yourself? Let me know in the comments!


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