Table of Contents
Introduction: Why Focus Keywords Matter
Ever tried driving to a new place without GPS?
You might eventually get there, but it’ll take longer, and you’ll probably take a few wrong turns.
SEO focus keywords are like GPS for your content, guiding search engines (and AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT Search & Google’s AI Overviews) to understand its context and rank it effectively.
With AI-generated search results becoming more common, search engines analyze context and intent, not just keywords.
If your content isn’t optimized with the right focus keyword, it’s like giving Google an incomplete map; your page might appear in the wrong place or not at all.
This guide walks you through selecting the best keyword for SEO, analyzing search volume and keyword difficulty, and ensuring your content matches user search intent.
You’ll learn:
How to identify high-ranking search terms that match user searches
Best keyword research strategy to analyze search volume and competition
Where to place your focus keyword for maximum SEO impact (without keyword stuffing!)
Common keyword mistakes that might hurt your rankings and how to fix them
By the end, you'll have a step-by-step SEO strategy to refine your keyword strategy for better visibility and optimize your content effectively.
What Are SEO Focus Keywords and Why Are They Important?
When businesses search for the right ERP or CRM solution, they start with a need, whether it’s streamlining financial management, enhancing customer relationships, or automating workflows.
Focus keywords play a crucial role in ensuring they find the right content.
A focus keyword is the primary search term you optimize for to improve visibility on search engines.
It signals to Google what your content is about, making it easier for potential customers to find your ERP or CRM solution when they search online.
Types of Keywords: Focus, Long-Tail, and Secondary
Not all keywords are equal.
A strong SEO strategy includes multiple keyword types:
Focus Keyword (Primary Keyword)
The main keyword optimized for a page
Directly reflects the core topic or business offering
Example: "Best ERP software for mid-sized businesses"
Long-Tail Keywords
More specific phrases with lower competition but higher intent
Example: "Cloud ERP for wholesale distribution companies"
Secondary Keywords (Related Keywords)
Supporting keywords that enhance search engine understanding
Example: "ERP inventory management software"
Why Every Page Needs a Unique Focus Keyword
Search engines like Google and AI-powered search tools (e.g., ChatGPT Search, Google SGE) use focus keywords to determine:
What your content is about
Who it’s relevant for
Where should it rank
Using the same focus keyword on multiple pages causes keyword cannibalization, where search engines struggle to decide which page to rank, reducing overall visibility.
Example Fix:
ERP solutions page: "Cloud ERP for manufacturing"
Blog post: "How to choose an ERP for manufacturing"
Dangers of Using the Wrong Focus Keywords
Selecting the wrong focus keyword can harm your SEO. Here are common risks and how to fix them:
1. Ranking for the Wrong Searches
Example Mistake:
❌ A Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner targeting "best CRM software for startups" competes with HubSpot & Salesforce
✔ Fix: Use "best Microsoft Dynamics CRM for startups" to attract a relevant audience
2. Low Relevance & Poor Rankings
Example Mistake:
❌ An ERP page optimized for "best accounting software" confuses Google—it classifies it as accounting software, not ERP
✔ Fix: Align your keyword with the content’s core offer, e.g., "ERP with built-in accounting tools"
3. Keyword Cannibalization
Example Mistake:
❌ Multiple blogs targeting "ERP implementation best practices" dilute rankings
✔ Fix: Assign unique keywords and use internal linking strategically
How to Find and Optimize SEO Focus Keywords
1. Brainstorm Topics Based on Audience Needs
Identifying high-ranking search terms that match user intent
Example: "How to choose the best ERP for small businesses"
2. Use Keyword Research Tools
Finding the right keyword for content using research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, and Ahrefs.
Analyzing search volume and keyword difficulty to refine keyword strategy for better visibility.
3. Check Search Intent & Competition
Informational intent → Blog posts (Example: "What is Cloud ERP? Benefits & Use Cases")
Transactional intent → Product pages (Example: "Best Cloud ERP Software for Manufacturing")
4. Leverage Google Autocomplete & Related Searches
Example: Typing "Best ERP software for…" may suggest:
"Best ERP software for the construction industry"
"Best ERP for small manufacturers"
5. Target Long-Tail Variations for Niche Traffic
Broad Keyword | Long-Tail Focus Keyword |
"ERP software" | "Cloud ERP for logistics companies" |
"CRM system" | "AI-powered CRM for healthcare providers" |
Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a solid keyword research strategy, certain mistakes can hurt your SEO performance and limit organic traffic. Below are some of the most common keyword pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Keyword Stuffing: Overloading Content with Keywords
Repeating a focus keyword unnaturally throughout your content may seem like a good idea, but it can harm readability and trigger Google penalties.
Example of Keyword Stuffing (Bad):
❌ "If you're looking for the best ERP software for small businesses, this guide on the best ERP software for small businesses will help you find the best ERP software for small businesses."
Fix: Use the focus keyword naturally and incorporate synonyms or variations.
Example of Natural Keyword Placement (Good):
"Choosing the right ERP software can streamline operations and improve efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explore the best ERP solutions for small businesses and their key feature."
2. Ignoring Search Intent: Using Keywords That Don’t Match User Needs
A focus keyword must align with the search intent, the reason behind a user's search.
If your keyword doesn’t match what users are looking for, your content may rank poorly or attract unqualified traffic.
Example of Mismatched Search Intent:
❌ A blog post optimized for ‘Best ERP Software for E-commerce’ when users expect a product comparison page instead.
Fix: Research what type of content ranks for your keyword and ensure your page type matches user expectations.
Example of Correct Search Intent Matching:
Informational intent → Blog post: "What is Cloud ERP? Benefits & Use Cases"
Transactional intent → Product page: "Best Cloud ERP Software for Manufacturing"
3. Only Targeting High-Volume Keywords & Ignoring Long-Tail Opportunities
High-volume keywords are tempting, but they often come with fierce competition.
Long-tail keywords (4+ words) are easier to rank for and attract more qualified traffic.
Example of a Competitive Broad Keyword (Hard to Rank):
❌ "ERP software" (Highly competitive, dominated by big brands like SAP and Oracle).
x: Use long-tail keywords that capture specific user needs.
Example of a Long-Tail Focus Keyword (Easier to Rank):"Best cloud ERP for wholesale distributors."
4. Keyword Cannibalization: Competing with Your Own Pages
When multiple pages on your site target the same focus keyword, Google doesn’t know which one to rank, leading to lower rankings for all of them.
Example of Keyword Cannibalization (Bad):
❌ Two pages competing for ‘Best ERP for Construction’
Page A: Best ERP for Construction Businesses
Page B: Best ERP for Construction Management
Fix: Assign unique focus keywords to each page and use internal linking to guide search engines to the most important page.
Example of Proper Keyword Strategy (Good):
Page A: Best ERP for Construction Project Management
Page B: Cloud ERP for Large Construction Firms
5. Not Updating Old Content with Better Keyword Optimization
SEO is not a one-time effort. Many businesses publish and never update content, missing opportunities to improve rankings.
Example of Outdated Content:
❌ A blog post from 2021 titled ‘Best ERP Solutions for Small Businesses’ without updated insights for 2024.
Fix: Refresh content regularly with new keywords, updated statistics, and relevant internal links.
Example of Content Refresh (Good):
Updated keyword: “Best Cloud ERP for Small Businesses in 2024.”
Added new data on industry trends and comparisons.
Final Takeaway: Avoid These Keyword Mistakes for Better SEO
Use focus keywords naturally and avoid stuffing them into every sentence.
Match keywords to search intent to ensure users find what they want.
Leverage long-tail keywords to capture niche, high-intent traffic.
Prevent keyword cannibalization by assigning unique keywords to each page.
Update old content to keep rankings fresh and relevant.
Avoiding these common mistakes will improve your SEO performance and drive more targeted traffic to your ERP or CRM content.
Conclusion: Mastering Focus Keywords for SEO Success
Mastering focus keywords is a critical component of an effective SEO strategy.
Choosing the right keywords, aligning them with user intent, and strategically placing them throughout your content can significantly improve your search engine rankings and attract the right audience.
Key Takeaways:
Choosing an SEO-friendly keyword ensures content aligns with search intent.
Matching keywords to search intent prevents ranking mismatches.
Using keyword research tools helps analyze competition and search trends.
Optimizing keyword choice improves ranking potential and conversion rates.
Avoiding keyword stuffing and duplication enhances readability and performance.
Regularly updating keyword strategy keeps content relevant and competitive.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll refine your keyword plan for better visibility, improve engagement, and drive more qualified traffic to your website.
Now It’s Your Turn!
Are you ready to take your SEO strategy to the next level? Start optimizing your content with the right focus keywords today!
Need expert guidance? Contact me for a customized SEO strategy that boosts your rankings and drives real results.
Jon Rivers
Jon Rivers is the Co-Founder and COO of Marketeery. His technical background and sales and marketing skills allow him to understand solutions out of the gate and help drive better marketing campaigns.
He's an international top-rated speaker and the author of "The Ultimate Guide to Hashtags for the Microsoft Dynamics Ecosystem" eBook.
You can find Jon on LinkedIn.