How to Do Keyword Research for Free (No Paid Tools Needed)

2 minute read

If you’re a small business owner trying to rank higher on Google, keyword research is the first step — and the good news is, you don’t need to spend money to get started.

Here’s how to do keyword research step-by-step using only free tools.

1. Start With Google Search Suggestions

Go to Google and start typing a phrase related to your service.

Example:
Type “graphic design in” and Google will show suggestions like:

  • graphic design in Chennai
  • graphic design in Tamil Nadu
  • graphic design in Coimbatore

These are real searches by real people — note them down!

2. Use “People Also Ask” & Related Searches

After searching your keyword, scroll down the results page.

  • The “People Also Ask” box gives question-based keyword ideas
  • At the bottom, “Related Searches” shows more long-tail keywords

These are great for blog post ideas or FAQ sections on your site.

Visit trends.google.com and enter your topic.

  • See how popular the keyword is over time
  • Compare different terms (e.g., “freelance designer” vs “creative agency”)
  • Choose keywords that are growing in interest in your area

4. Use AnswerThePublic (Free Version)

Go to answerthepublic.com and enter your keyword.

  • You’ll get a visual list of question-based phrases, like:
    • What is graphic design used for?
    • How to choose a graphic design agency?
    • Is graphic design important for business?

These make great blog post or service page titles.

5. Use Google Search Console (If You Already Have Traffic)

If your site is connected to Google Search Console:

  • Go to the Performance section
  • See which queries are already bringing you clicks and impressions
  • Use those keywords to improve existing pages or create new ones

This is one of the best free keyword sources because it’s based on your real data.

6. Bonus: Try KeywordTool.io (Free Preview)

Visit keywordtool.io and enter a basic keyword.

  • The free version gives a list of long-tail ideas
  • You can copy these to your research list
  • No login or credit card needed

How to Choose the Right Keywords

Once you’ve collected ideas:

  • Choose keywords that are specific (e.g., “logo design for clothing brand”)
  • Avoid very broad ones like “design” — they’re too competitive
  • Prioritize keywords with clear intent (informational or purchase)

Final Thoughts

You don’t need expensive tools to find valuable keywords. All you need is time, strategy, and the right free resources.

Start small — pick a few relevant keywords and optimize your website pages or blog posts around them. That’s how real SEO growth begins.

Written by Zinzo Digital – Helping small businesses grow smarter online.

Updated:

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