Keyword research is one of the most important aspects of search engine optimization, but if you’re new to SEO then you may not even know where to start to figure out which words you should optimize your pages for. Here are 5 steps to get you started in keyword research.

1. Use the Right Tools. There are plenty of free keyword research tools available; so many, in fact, that you’ll likely not have to pay any money to do your research. Many search engine optimization experts and internet marketers use Google’s Adwords tool to research keywords. But don’t completely write off the option of paying some money for keyword research. An advanced tool that might actually cost money can give you really helpful information that a free tool can’t, such as how many other websites in your niche are optimizing for the same keywords you’ve chosen.

2. Specificity is Key. Let’s say that you sell unicycles in Modesto, CA. Instead of trying to rank for the word “unicycles,” use the word “unicycles” as well as your specific location. Remember that the search engines reward websites that provide the most relevant information possible, so if you have a potential customer in Modesto looking for unicycles, and if she uses those search terms, she’s more likely to find you if she can find you by product and by location.

3. Attainable Goals. If you’re just starting out or if your industry is competitive, avoid the temptation to try to rank for keywords that are popular with searchers and those for which everyone else is trying to rank. Rather, you should try to rank for less popular keywords and those that not everyone is trying to rank for. It may seem counterintuitive but it works if you keep at it long enough. Also remember that many users will misspell keywords so try to rank for common misspellings of your keywords too.

4. Use PPC to Test. Once you’ve chosen keywords, make a landing page optimized for those keywords and create a PPC campaign. This will tell you how many people came to your page and which search terms they used to get there. You can also find out how long they stayed on your page and if there were any conversions. This information can help you choose only the most effective keywords before you actually complete your total search engine optimization campaign.

5. Latent Semantic Indexing. Latent Semantic Indexing, or LSI, tools can help you find keywords related to the keywords you’d like to rank for. Search engines will see not only that your website is optimized for your chosen keywords, but that you also include terms and phrases that are related to your chosen keywords. This increases your website’s relevance in the eyes of the search engine and increases the likelihood of higher rankings and increased traffic to your website.

If you’re unsure about keyword research or feel like you need some professional help when it comes to this endeavor, consider finding a local search engine optimization expert to help you out. Not only can he or she guide your keyword research, but he or she can also point you to the best tools and help you become as specific as possible as you come up with your keywords. An SEO professional can help you test your keywords and help you use other analytics that will help your overall search engine optimization efforts. So if you’re new to SEO or just feel like you need some expert guidance, contact other businesses in your area for recommendations of local SEO experts or internet marketers. Their help can make a huge difference in the success of your business and you ultimately can’t afford to make a go of it without them.