Keyword Research Services for Small Businesses
As an SEO company, NoxRank uses keyword research to connect search intent, page structure, and business goals before building an SEO plan.
Factors We Value in Keyword Research
Search Intent
If someone searches for “iPhone 16,” are they trying to buy one, or are they trying to fix a broken screen? Google now prioritizes the page that matches the intent of the user, rather than the page that simply uses the word “iPhone 16” the most.
We manually look up the search intent of each query in the Google SERPs to get an exact idea that what the user is looking for and what Google thinks about the query.
Funnel-Based Targeting
There are three stages of a funnel:
- Top of funnel (Awareness stage)
- Middle of funnel (Consideration stage)
- Bottom of funnel (Conversion stage)
This funnel view helps us separate visibility keywords from business-value keywords. A keyword may bring traffic, but we also check whether it can support awareness, build trust, or move the searcher closer to contacting the business.
Factors We Don’t Consider in Keyword Research
Volume of the Keyword
Competition for the Keyword
Competition data is also only an estimate. Google Ads competition is for advertisers, and SEO difficulty scores don’t always reflect real organic ranking chances.
Where We Find High-Value Keywords
Competitor Websites
We review competitor websites to find service terms, page topics, common questions, and keyword patterns they are using to attract local customers.
Google Business Profile
We check Google Business Profile data to find keywords connected with local visibility, customer actions, business categories, services, and real search behavior.
Using Google SERP Features
Local SEO Keyword Research
Keyword Research Tools We Use
Free Tools
Paid Tools
Long-Tail Keyword Targeting for Better Leads
We focus on long-tail keywords because most searches are specific, not broad. Short-tail keywords make up 18.5% of searches, middle-tail keywords make up 11.5%, and long-tail keywords make up 70%. That’s why we target detailed queries that show clearer intent, stronger relevance, and better lead potential.
- Short Tail: 18.5%
- Middle Tail: 11.5%
- Long Tail: 70%
Keyword Research Is an Ongoing Process
Our Keyword Research Process
1. Creating a Keyword Seed List
We start by collecting core terms, service terms, customer problems, location modifiers, price modifiers, and common questions. This gives us the first keyword list before expanding it with tools and competitor research.
2. Creating a Keyword Portfolio
We expand the seed list using sources like Google Search Console, Google Keyword Planner, competitor websites, and SEO tools. Then we remove duplicates and organize the useful keywords into one working keyword portfolio.
3. Checking the Intent of Each Keyword Manually
Our team of SEO experts manually checks the Google SERPs for each important keyword to understand what the searcher wants. This helps us see whether Google treats the keyword as local, informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational.
4. Prioritizing Keywords Based on the Sales Funnel
We prioritize keywords based on where they fit in the customer journey. Bottom-funnel and high-intent keywords usually come first because they are closer to calls, leads, bookings, and real business value.
5. Keyword Grouping
We group related keywords around the same topic, subtopic, service, location, question, or page purpose. This helps us avoid scattered keyword targeting and build stronger, more focused pages.
6. Finalizing Keywords for Each Page
We choose the best keywords for each page based on intent, relevance, funnel stage, and SERP behavior. The final keyword set helps decide what the page should target, what content it needs, and how it should be optimized.
What You Get From Our
Keyword Research Service
Keyword Research for Topical Authority
Measuring Keyword Research Success
1. Keyword Performance
We track how selected keywords perform over time, including impressions, clicks, and movement in search results.
2. Organic Search Rankings
We monitor ranking changes to see whether the pages are becoming more visible for the targeted keywords.
3. Traffic Growth
We check whether keyword-targeted pages are bringing more relevant visitors from organic search.
4. Conversion Rates
We measure whether that traffic turns into calls, form submissions, bookings, or other valuable business actions.
Keyword Research FAQs
Keyword research is the process of finding the terms, questions, modifiers, and topics people use when searching for a product, service, or local business online.
How does keyword research improve rankings?
Keyword research helps each page match the right search intent, topic, and keyword group, so Google can better understand when to show that page.
Do you rely on keyword volume and competition?
No. We don’t rely on volume and competition alone because tool data is estimated, and Google Ads competition is for advertisers, not organic SEO.
Where do you find high-value keywords?
We find high-value keywords from competitor websites, Google Business Profile, Google Search Console, Google Keyword Planner, and Google SERP features like People Also Ask, related searches, and Google suggests.
What tools are used for keyword research?
We use free tools like Google Search Console and Google Keyword Planner, and paid tools like Ahrefs and Semrush.
What is a keyword portfolio?
A keyword portfolio is the working keyword list created after collecting keywords from different sources, removing duplicates, checking relevance, and organizing them for SEO use.
How long does keyword research take?
Keyword research can take up to two weeks, depending on your business, market, and competition. But keyword research isn’t a one-time task because search behavior changes, new queries appear, and keywords need to be reviewed over time.
Keyword research helps identify what people are searching for, what they expect to find, and which pages your website needs to target those searches.
Do you manually check keyword intent?
Yes. We manually check Google SERPs to understand what the searcher wants and what type of pages Google is already ranking for that query.
Why do you prioritize long-tail keywords?
We prioritize long-tail keywords because they’re more specific, show clearer intent, and make up the largest share of searches.
Do you include local SEO keyword research?
Yes. We check core terms, service modifiers, location modifiers, “near me” searches, local intent, and Map Pack behavior to find keywords that can support local visibility.
What is a keyword seed list?
A keyword seed list is the starting list of core terms, service terms, customer problems, location modifiers, price modifiers, and common questions related to the business.
What do I get from your keyword research service?
You get a structured keyword plan that includes a keyword seed list, keyword portfolio, search intent mapping, funnel-stage priority, keyword groups, page-level keyword targeting, and topic recommendations.
How do you measure keyword research success?
We measure success by tracking keyword performance, organic rankings, traffic growth, and conversions such as calls, form submissions, and bookings.
Ready to Find the Right Keywords?
Get a keyword research strategy built around search intent, funnel value, and real business goals. Review our SEO packages if you want it included inside a monthly SEO plan.