/ SEO
How do I do keyword research for a small business?
Start with what customers actually ask you, add location, then check volume and difficulty. Target terms you can realistically win.
/ 01
The short version
Most small businesses target terms far too competitive and ignore the ones that would convert.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • List every question customers ask on the phone.
- • Add town and county variants of your services.
- • Check volume in Google Keyword Planner or Semrush.
- • Prioritise low-difficulty, high-intent terms first.
- • One primary term per page. Don't try to rank one page for ten things.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Intent beats volume. 'Emergency electrician Colchester' at 90 searches a month is worth more than 'electrician' at 40,000.
/ 04
What to do next
Write down twenty questions you get asked. That's twenty pages worth of low-competition content.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get keyword research right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Is search volume accurate?
It's a rough range, not a promise.
Should I target zero-volume keywords?
Yes, if they're specific and buyer-intent.
Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
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