This article will give you 5 action points when all low competition keywords are taken by your competitors.
Most new website owners have an idea of what type of content they want to write.
Then we hear about the combination of low competition keywords and writing epic content.
The idea is simple.
New websites cannot compete with established websites. With a new website it takes time for search engines to trust you and your content.
Established websites target higher value and high volume keywords.
Our way in is in theory as easy as it is brilliant.
We write epic content for low competition keywords with lower search volumes.
Let’s get started.
Low competition keywords wanted
Our research focuses on finding low competition keywords where we can compete.
And we want there to be an existing search volume. Low volume is fine. But we need there to be some volume for our keyword term.
Starting out we rely on free tools like the Mozbar and Keyword Surfer browser extensions for keyword research.
Mozbar tells us the Domain Authority (DA) and the Page Authority (PA) for the ranking websites on any given search.
Our website starts with a DA of 1. The max is DA 100 but anything above 20 would be considered good. Established authority websites often show values of 60 and above.
We decide to focus on competing with websites with a DA of no more than 20.
The Keyword Surfer browser extension is a great tool when researching keywords.
Keyword Surfer shows us search volume for any given search term.
We are also given search volumes for related searches, called Keyword Ideas.
When we start searching we quickly come to a surprising realization.
when established websites rank for everything
We search more. It is almost impossible to find a keyword with search volume where the top 3 is not showing established websites.
We start clicking the keyword phrases listed as Keyword Ideas by the Keyword Surfer browser extension.
Still the same pattern.
Are we too late to the party? Are we destined to fail?
Of course not.
Here are 5 action points to assist you in your quest for success.
1. Rank for vs written for and user experience
Established authority websites will rank for a lot of different keywords and keyword phrases.
Many of them will be intentional with content produced to rank for a particular keyword or phrase.
But authority websites will also have pages that rank for keyword phrases that were never considered when the article was written.
We need to make sure that the articles ranking for our keyword phrase was written with that particular keyword phrase in mind.
You see, it could be that there are no good articles written for your keyword phrase.
And as search engines do not like to return a blank page on any search they will pick a page from an established authority website.
There are times when you can and should try to compete with an authority website.
I always choose to compete when the pages listed in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) do not match the user intent or deliver a great user experience.
Visit and analyze the pages listed in the SERPs before you give up on the keyword phrase.
Are the listed pages providing a great user experience?
Or could it be that they are listed in the SERPs as there is not (yet) a dedicated article written for your keyword phrase.
This could be a great opportunity for a new website producing epic content.
2. Find your own voice and be unique
When we first start out we check out all the authority websites as well as the websites we will compete with from day 1.
We quickly get an idea of the subjects covered and how articles and posts are structured.
When we write a new article we look at the top 10 results in the SERP. We try to decipher what content we need to include to match the user experience.
If a page ranks in the top 10 it must be delivering on user experience. Right?
Yes, of course. It makes sense.
But don’t forget to add value.
It is important to research and analyze the competition when we create content.
But it is also important to understand that you will always be a step or two behind if you do not deliver additional value.
You will always play catch-up if you simply deliver the same content as everyone else.
After all, why should your new website outrank established websites if you have nothing new to offer or add?
You cannot expect to compete with established websites if you have nothing new to add.
Focus on adding value and finding your own voice.
Use the top 10 pages in the SERP as a minimum to include to deliver on user experience.
Now take it one step further and offer answers to related questions not covered by your competitors.
If you simply copy the structure of your competitors you will always be one step behind.
Instead, create value and be unique.
3. Use Google to expand your content
Having difficulties expanding on content? Finding it hard to find new angles while ensuring to stay on topic.
This is where Google and the other search engines can be of great assistance.
For any search you perform the search engines will show a People Also Ask (PAA) section listing related searches.
These PAA questions make great additions to any article you are writing.
Simply add the question as a sub-heading and with a minimum of 300-500 words on the topic.
To successfully compete against established competitors we have to offer more content and additional value.
If we do not offer more – our competitors will outrank us. We are after all new. They have established trust and a reputation.
A great way to offer additional value is to use the PAA and offer answers not provided by our competitors.
4. Do not write and forget – make sure to update your articles
When our content has been written we click publish and move on.
But what about updating our posts and articles?
If you ask me, I believe updating your content is an important part in creating a well ranking website.
You will hear established website owners explain that they have not done anything for several months and the website is still ranking number 1 and makes a lot of money.
And of course. There is probably no need to improve on what is ranking top 3.
But what about all the content that is ranking on pages 2 and below? Surely these articles could do with a bit of attention.
And this is where we once again can use PAA (People Also Ask).
This is how I update articles after 1-3 months depending on factors such as age of website and level of authority.
- Type in your targeted keyword phrase.
- Analyze top 10 results in SERPs
- Check PAA section for content sections to add
After the check is complete I will know if my competitors have added content since my last check.
And from the PAA section I will get ideas for headlines and content to add.
It is an easy process.
Now all we have to do is to write more quality content and update our article.
5. Write for one keyword and rank for many more
Using Mozbar and Keyword Surfer we find our keywords and keyword phrases.
We try to find keywords with some search volume but low competition. Finding these keywords can be really difficult in many competitive niches. It is not easy but much more manageable when we have a well-defined sub-niche.
But there is one thing we can do that may tip the scale in our favor.
We can write epic content. And we make sure that our articles deliver a great user experience and have at least 2000 words.
When we write long articles we increase the chance that we will rank for related keywords and keyword combinations.
And this can be a huge factor in our quest for success.
We may never rank top 10 in the SERPs for our main keyword but can have hundreds of top 1-20 related keyword phrases.
And this is only possible if we write epic articles and posts of 2000 words or more.
PRO tip: Quality, user experience and relevance is always key in your quest for success. It is the combination of these factors and the number of words used that will result in matches on related keyword phrases.
You may write for one keyword phrase but well written and on-topic epic articles may end up ranking for hundreds of keyword phrases and variations.
Your goal should not be to publish a specific number of posts per week or month. Do not get caught up in publishing 300 – 500 word blog posts.
Instead strive to produce and publish epic 2000 words or more articles. Think number of words and quality.
I wish you success with your website.
