How to Find the Best Keywords for Your Website Without Spending a Dime

If you want your website to attract more visitors, generate leads, and rank higher on search engines, mastering keyword research is non-negotiable. Keywords act as the foundation of every successful SEO strategy. They connect your website content to the search queries your target audience types into Google, Bing, and now AI-powered search platforms like ChatGPT and Google SGE.

The problem? Most premium SEO tools charge high monthly fees for keyword insights. For small businesses, freelancers, and bloggers, that’s not always affordable. The good news is that there are effective, free ways to find the best keywords for your website—no credit card required.

This guide explains exactly how to do keyword research, evaluate keyword potential, and use tools like a keyword search volume checker to make data-driven decisions without spending a dime.

Why Keyword Research Is Essential for SEO

Keyword research is the process of identifying the exact words and phrases people use when searching for information online. It helps you understand your audience’s language, needs, and intent.

Without keyword research, your content is like shouting into the void—you might be publishing great articles, but if you’re not targeting the right terms, no one will find them.

Here’s what effective keyword research helps you achieve:

• Understand what your audience is searching for.
• Create content that matches user intent.
• Rank higher in organic search results.
• Drive relevant, targeted traffic.
• Outperform competitors who rely on guesswork.

Now, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of finding high-performing keywords without spending a single rupee or dollar.

Step 1: Brainstorm Keywords Around Your Audience and Niche

Start by identifying what your target audience wants to know or solve. Write down common questions, problems, or goals your customers have.

For example, if you run a fitness website, your audience might search for:

• “workout plans for beginners”
• “how to lose weight fast”
• “best home exercise equipment”

To expand your list, use Google’s free tools like:

• Autocomplete: Type a word into Google and note the suggestions that appear.
• People Also Ask: Scroll down search results to see real user questions.
• Related Searches: At the bottom of the page, you’ll find similar keyword ideas.

These are all free and provide direct insight into what people are currently searching for.

Step 2: Use Free Keyword Research Tools

Once you have a rough list of keyword ideas, use free keyword tools to get data on search volume, competition, and relevance. Here are some of the best options available today.

1. Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner remains one of the most reliable free tools for keyword research.

• Visit Google Keyword Planner.
• Enter your topic, product, or website URL.
• You’ll see keyword suggestions, search volumes, and competition levels.

While originally designed for Google Ads, it’s equally useful for SEO keyword discovery.

2. Google Trends

Google Trends helps you understand keyword popularity over time.

• Visit Google Trends.
• Enter a keyword to see how interest changes monthly or seasonally.
• Compare up to five keywords to identify which one is gaining traction.

This is perfect for spotting trends before they become competitive.

3. AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic visualizes questions people ask around a keyword.

• Enter a term like “SEO tools” or “website ranking.”
• It generates questions such as “what is keyword search volume?” or “how to rank higher on Google?”
  These are ideal for creating blog posts or FAQ sections.

4. RankyFy’s Keyword Search Volume Checker

If you want AI-backed accuracy, use a keyword search volume checker like RankyFy’s free version. It helps you see how many times a keyword is searched each month and how competitive it is.

• Get real-time keyword data.
• Compare related terms side-by-side.
• Discover hidden low-competition opportunities.

This tool is especially useful for small businesses and freelancers who want reliable data without premium costs.

Step 3: Analyze the Right Keyword Metrics

Keyword research isn’t just about collecting ideas. You need to understand which keywords are truly worth targeting. The following metrics will help you choose the best ones.

Search Volume

This number shows how many people search for a keyword each month. A keyword search volume checker is essential for identifying which keywords are worth your effort.

Ideally, look for terms with moderate search volume (1,000–10,000 monthly searches). Extremely high-volume keywords are often too competitive, while very low-volume ones may not drive enough traffic.

Keyword Difficulty (KD)

Keyword Difficulty indicates how hard it is to rank for a keyword based on competition.

• Low KD: Easier to rank; ideal for new websites.
• Medium KD: Requires good content and some backlinks.
• High KD: Best for established websites with strong authority.

Search Intent

Every keyword has an intent behind it. Understanding it ensures your content aligns with what users want.

• Informational: “How to do keyword research”
• Transactional: “Buy SEO software”
• Navigational: “Google keyword tool login”

Matching your content to search intent improves engagement and ranking potential.

CPC (Cost Per Click)

Even if you’re not running ads, CPC can show how valuable a keyword is. A high CPC usually indicates strong commercial intent, meaning advertisers are paying for that traffic because it converts well.

Step 4: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that attract highly targeted visitors. They often have lower competition and higher conversion rates.

Instead of trying to rank for a broad keyword like “SEO tools,” focus on a long-tail version like “free SEO tools for small businesses.”

You can discover long-tail keywords by:

• Using Google’s “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches.”
• Checking the suggestions in your keyword search volume checker.
• Reviewing questions asked in forums or Reddit communities related to your niche.

These keywords may not bring massive traffic, but the visitors they attract are usually ready to take action.

Step 5: Analyze Competitor Keywords

A powerful yet free way to find new keyword ideas is by analyzing your competitors.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Visit your competitor’s website.
2. Note their main topics, page titles, and headings.
3. Use a free SEO analysis tool or keyword checker to see which keywords they rank for.
4. Identify keywords they missed or underutilized, and target those.

This gives you insight into what works in your industry and helps you identify gaps to fill with better content.

Step 6: Group and Prioritize Your Keywords

After collecting your keyword data, group similar ones into clusters based on intent and topic.

For example:

• Cluster 1: Keyword research tools, keyword search volume checker, best free SEO tool
• Cluster 2: On-page SEO, meta tags, image optimization
• Cluster 3: Backlink building, link analysis, domain authority

This approach allows you to plan multiple pieces of content around related keywords, increasing your chances of ranking for several terms at once.

Prioritize your keywords by considering:

• Relevance to your business
• Search intent alignment
• Ranking difficulty
• Traffic potential

Step 7: Create Content Around Your Keywords

Once you’ve identified your target keywords, it’s time to put them into action.

Create high-quality content that answers your audience’s questions, provides value, and uses your chosen keywords naturally. Avoid keyword stuffing—it’s more important to focus on relevance and readability.

Here’s how to integrate your keywords effectively:

• Include your primary keyword in the title and first paragraph.
• Use related terms and variations throughout the content.
• Optimize your headings (H2, H3) with secondary keywords.
• Add your keywords to image alt text and meta descriptions.

A good keyword search volume checker will help you monitor performance and update your content when trends change.

Step 8: Track and Improve Your Keyword Performance

SEO isn’t a one-time task. You need to monitor your keyword rankings regularly.

Use free SEO tracking tools or AI-powered dashboards that show how your keywords perform across platforms like Google, Bing, and AI search engines.

Tracking helps you:

• See which pages are improving or dropping in rank.
• Identify new opportunities to update content.
• Optimize for AI search visibility as new algorithms evolve.

Regular tracking ensures your keyword strategy stays effective and adaptable to changes in search trends.

Conclusion

Finding the best keywords for your website doesn’t have to drain your budget. By combining smart research, free tools, and consistent analysis, you can uncover high-potential keywords that help your site grow organically.

Tools like Google Keyword Planner, AnswerThePublic, and AI-powered platforms with a keyword search volume checker make it easier than ever to access valuable insights without paying a cent.

The key is to focus on understanding your audience, targeting long-tail keywords, and continuously optimizing your content. With the right strategy, you can build sustainable traffic, improve visibility, and achieve real SEO success—all without spending a dime.