Competitor keyword research is an essential aspect of any business and marketing strategy. By analysing the keywords your competitors are using, you can gain valuable insight into what topics are most relevant to your industry and target audience.

Competitor keyword research for business strategies

Competitor keyword research can help gain a competitive edge by helping you understand the strategies and tactics your competitors are using to attract and engage with their target audience. By identifying their strengths and in turn, their weaknesses, you can develop more effective business strategies to gain a competitive advantage in your industry.

1. Gain insights into industry trends: By researching the keywords your competitors are targeting, you can gain a better understanding of the types of products, services, and information that your target audience is searching for. This can help you identify new opportunities and trends in your industry and adapt your business strategies accordingly.
2. Identify new opportunities: By analysing the keywords and phrases your competitors are targeting, you can identify new opportunities and trends. This can help you expand your reach and connect with new potential customers.
3. Benchmark your performance: Competitor keyword research can also be used to benchmark your own performance against your competitors. By understanding which keywords and phrases your competitors are targeting, you can measure your own progress and identify areas for improvement. This can help you make more informed decisions about your overall business strategies and tactics.

Competitor keyword research for marketing strategies

Using competitor keyword research in your marketing strategies is the key to improving, optimising, implementing successful marketing and content strategies, driving more traffic to your key marketing platforms.

1. Improve your search engine rankings: By identifying the keywords that are driving traffic to your competitors’ websites, you can optimise your own site and content to target those same keywords. This can help you improve your search engine rankings, making it more likely that your target audience will find your website when searching for products or services related to your industry.
2. Develop more effective messaging: By understanding the language and messaging your competitors are using in their marketing campaigns, you can develop more effective messaging and positioning for your own brand. This can help you stand out in a crowded market and better resonate with your target audience.
3. Optimise your PPC campaigns: Competitor keyword research can also be used to optimise your pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. By identifying the keywords that are driving the most traffic to your competitors’ websites, you can target those same keywords in your own PPC ads, making it more likely that your ads will be seen by your target audience and result in more conversions.

Your first steps to successful competitor keyword research

Identify your competitors

The first step in competitor keyword research is to identify your main competitors. You can use tools such as Google AdWords Keyword Planner to find websites that are ranking for the same keywords you are targeting, or simply look for businesses that offer similar products or services in your industry.

Analyse their website

Once you have identified your competitors, the next step is to analyse their website. Look at their meta tags, title tags, and header tags, as well as the content on their website. This will give you an idea of the keywords they are targeting and how they are positioning their brand.

Use tools to research their keywords

There are a variety of tools (such as KnowFirst!) available that can help you research your competitors’ keywords. These tools can provide you with information on the keywords your competitors are targeting, their search volume, and the estimated cost per click for those keywords.

Continue to track your competitors

Once you have completed your initial competitor keyword research, you should repeat the process on a regular basis. This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in your industry and make adjustments to your own marketing campaigns as needed.

And you’re off! 

Successfully completing competitor keyword research, as well as utilising platforms such as KnowFirst, can help you continue to gain valuable insight into what topics are most relevant to your industry and target audience.