Using the right keywords to get visitors to your site can be the difference between success and failure. You don’t want to waste your time targeting keywords that don’t generate revenue. But you also don’t want to target the wrong ones, either.

The best way to do keyword research is to use a tool. You can use free tools, such as Google Keyword Planner, to get a list of possible search phrases for your website. Alternatively, you can use a paid tool. The paid ones will give you a longer list of potential searches.

Another tool is Ahrefs, which is a web site that analyzes search engine results and shows the competition for each keyword. You can also see keywords’ volume and organic CTR, as well as domain authority and priority.

These are good indicators of the search intent of your audience. High CPC means that other businesses are willing to pay for a keyword, and this can increase your revenue-generating potential.

Long-tail keywords are keywords that are more specific. These keywords are used to target unique selling propositions, like free shipping. They indicate a person’s buying intent and can help you to reach your highest ROI.

If you own a local business, you should optimize your site for local searches. You can do this by targeting keywords with high search volume and low competition. You may also want to look at the top of page bid, which indicates the cost-per-click to reach the top of the search results page with a paid ad.