Keyword Strategy: Simple Steps to Rank Higher

If you want more eyes on your blog or website, the fastest way is to use the right keywords. A solid keyword strategy tells search engines what your page is about and helps the right people find it. Below you’ll get a quick, practical roadmap you can start using right now.

Research Your Keywords

First, list the topics you want to cover. Use tools like Google’s keyword planner, Ahrefs, or even the auto‑suggest feature in the search bar to see what people type. Look for three things: search volume (how many people look for it), competition (how hard it is to rank), and relevance (does it match your content). For example, if you’re writing about "best blogging niche for 2025," you’ll see phrases such as "profitable blog topics" or "blog niche ideas" popping up – those are gold.

Next, sort your list into primary and secondary keywords. Primary keywords are the main focus of a page; they belong in the title, H1, and first paragraph. Secondary keywords support the primary one and can appear in sub‑headings, image alt text, or later in the article. Keeping this hierarchy prevents keyword stuffing and keeps the copy natural.

Turn Keywords into Content Plans

Now match each primary keyword to a specific piece of content. Ask yourself: what question does the keyword answer? If the keyword is "best blog post length for SEO," the answer is a clear guide on word count, examples, and why length matters. Outline the article with an H1, a few H2s, and bullet points that address the keyword directly.

Don’t forget to check intent. People searching for "free website hosting" want a list of providers, while those typing "how much does Google pay for blogs" are after earnings data. Align your content with that intent, and you’ll get higher click‑through rates.

After you publish, monitor performance with Google Search Console. Look for impressions, clicks, and average position for each keyword. If a keyword is ranking on page two, a small tweak – adding the phrase to the first 100 words or improving internal links – can push it to page one.

Finally, keep a simple checklist for every post:

• Primary keyword in title and H1
• One or two secondary keywords in sub‑headings
• Keyword appears naturally in the first 100 words
• Image alt text includes a keyword
• Internal link to another relevant article