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JBC | Pushing Digital Boundaries

What Are Keywords and How to Choose the Right Ones for Your Business?

If you own a business and have a website, you may wonder: “How do people find my business on Google?”

The simple answer is: keywords.

This blog explains what keywords are and how to choose the right ones for your business.

What Are Keywords?

Keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google when they are searching for something.

Examples

People might search:

  • “best hair salon near me”
  • “professional nail technician in Kingston”
  • “facial and skincare treatments”

If your website talks clearly about these topics, Google is more likely to show your website.

Keywords help Google match your business with the right people.

Why Keywords Are Still Important in 2026

Even though Google uses AI and smarter technology now, keywords still help Google understand:

  • What your business does
  • Who your services are for
  • When your website should appear in search results

Keywords are not about repeating words many times. They are about explaining your services clearly in the language your customers use.

Different Types of Keywords

1. Short Keywords

These are very general searches.

Examples:

  • SEO
  • Marketing

✔ Lots of searches ❌ Very hard to rank for

2. Long Keywords (Very Important)

These are longer and more specific searches.

Examples:

  • SEO services for small businesses
  • digital marketing agency in Ontario

✔ Easier to rank for ✔ Brings people who are more serious

Long keywords are more valuable than short ones.

3. Local Keywords

Used when people want nearby services.

Examples:

  • SEO agency near me
  • digital marketing company in Kingston

✔ Extremely important for local businesses

4. Question Keywords

Used when people want to learn.

Examples:

  • What is SEO?
  • How does Google Ads work?

✔ Great for blog content ✔ Builds trust

How to Choose the Right Keywords

Step 1: Think Like Your Customer

Ask yourself:

  • What problem does my customer have?
  • What would they type into Google?
  • Are they looking to learn or to hire?

Step 2: Choose Keywords That Match Your Service

A keyword should clearly match:

  • What you offer
  • Where you offer it

Getting traffic is useless if it doesn’t bring the right people.

Step 3: Be Specific

Instead of using:

  • “marketing services”

Use:

  • “digital marketing services for small businesses”

Specific keywords bring better leads.

Step 4: Use Keywords Naturally

Google prefers content that:

  • Sounds natural
  • Is easy to read
  • Answers real questions

How JBC Helps Businesses Choose the Right Keywords

At JBC, we focus on:

  • Understanding what your customers are searching for
  • Choosing keywords that bring real leads
  • Supporting long-term SEO growth

We don’t just bring traffic – we bring the right traffic.

Need help choosing keywords for your business? Contact JBC today, and let us build a simple, effective keyword strategy tailored to your business.

Are you ready for digital marketing support that fuels meaningful growth?

Book A Call
Jennifer Baker Consulting Team