How much does professional keyword research cost?

My hourly rate is EUR 69 net. Comprehensive keyword research takes 8-20 hours depending on the industry and scope. I create a transparent quote upfront so you know the costs exactly. An initial consultation is always free.

How long does keyword research take?

Professional keyword research typically takes 1-2 weeks. During this time, I analyze your industry, your competitors, and the search intents of your target audience. The result is a prioritized keyword map with clear recommendations.

Which tools are used for keyword research?

I work with professional SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Google Keyword Planner, Google Search Console, and other specialized data sources. The combination of different tools provides the most reliable data for sound decisions.

What is a keyword map?

A keyword map assigns each keyword to a specific page on your website. It defines which page should be optimized for which keyword, prevents keyword cannibalization, and forms the basis for your content strategy.

How often should keyword research be updated?

I recommend updating keyword research every 6-12 months. Search behavior, competition, and market conditions change continuously. Regular updates ensure your content strategy is based on current data.

Keyword Research

The right keywords.
The foundation for everything.

Without the right keywords, you are optimizing blind. Professional keyword research shows you what your target audience is actually searching for, how strong the competition is, and where the greatest opportunities lie. 20+ years of experience, starting at EUR 69/h.

Request Keyword Research

Why keyword research is so important

Most SEO failures start with poor or missing keyword research. Without knowing which terms your target audience uses, what search intent is behind them, and how the competition is positioned, you waste time and budget on content no one searches for.

94.7 %

of all keywords have a search volume of less than 10 per month

15 %

of all Google searches have never been searched before

3.2x

higher conversion rate for keywords with clear purchase intent

What my keyword research includes

Keyword research is far more than a list of search terms. I provide you with a strategic foundation for your entire content and SEO strategy.

"Think about what a user is going to type." — Matt Cutts, former head of Google's Webspam Team

Search Intent Analysis

Not every keyword with high search volume is relevant. I analyze the search intent behind each keyword — informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial. This ensures your content delivers exactly what users expect.

Competitive Analysis

I analyze which keywords your competitors rank for, which content gaps exist, and where you can achieve better rankings with reasonable effort. The competitive analysis reveals opportunities your competition overlooks.

Keyword Clustering

Individual keywords are grouped into thematic clusters. This creates content pillar structures that build authority and prevent keyword cannibalization. Each cluster gets a clear assignment to a page on your website.

Prioritized Keyword Map

The centerpiece of my research: a keyword map with search volume, keyword difficulty, search intent, priority, and URL assignment. You know exactly which keywords to tackle first and which page needs to be optimized for them.

My research process in 5 steps

Systematic, data-driven, and aligned with your business goals. This is how keyword research is created that does not end up in a drawer but is immediately actionable.

Briefing & Goal Definition

We discuss your business goals, target audiences, and products. I understand your industry, your positioning, and your previous SEO activities. This briefing forms the foundation for targeted research.

Seed Keywords & Data Collection

Starting from seed keywords, I systematically expand the list with Ahrefs, Semrush, Google Keyword Planner, and Google Search Console. I capture search volume, keyword difficulty, CPC, and SERP features for every relevant term.

Search Intent & SERP Analysis

For each relevant keyword, I manually analyze the SERP results. What content type ranks? What search intent does Google serve? Are there Featured Snippets or AI Overviews? This analysis determines what content you need to create.

Clustering & Prioritization

I group keywords into thematic clusters, assign them to existing or new pages, and prioritize them by business impact and feasibility. Quick wins are clearly marked so you can get started immediately.

Keyword Map & Presentation

You receive a structured keyword map as a spreadsheet with all data, priorities, and recommendations. In a personal meeting, I walk you through the results and answer all questions. The map is your roadmap for the next 6-12 months.

Tools I use

Professional keyword research requires professional tools. I work with the best data sources in the industry to provide you with sound decision-making foundations.

Ahrefs

The most comprehensive keyword database with precise data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and SERP features. Particularly strong in competitive analysis and content gap analysis.

Semrush

Excellent keyword data with a special focus on search intent and keyword clustering. Complements Ahrefs data with additional perspectives and trend analyses.

Google Keyword Planner

Google's own data source for search volume and CPC. Particularly valuable for verifying third-party data and identifying long-tail keywords.

Google Search Console

Your real search data directly from Google. I analyze which terms you already receive impressions for and identify low-hanging fruits with minimal effort.

Keyword research — the foundation of your SEO strategy

Keyword research is the systematic analysis of search terms that your target audience uses — including search volume, competitive intensity, and the intent behind each search query. As an SEO freelancer, keyword research forms the basis of every strategy: it determines which pages get optimized, which content gets created, and how the entire site architecture is structured.

How does professional keyword research work?

Sound keyword research follows no template — it follows the data: search volume, search intent, competition, and potential for your specific business model.

The process begins with a detailed briefing where your business goals, products, services, and target audiences are discussed. From this, seed keywords emerge — initial search terms that are then systematically expanded with professional tools like Ahrefs and Semrush. I capture search volume, keyword difficulty, CPC, and SERP features like Featured Snippets or AI Overviews for every relevant term.

Search intent: The decisive criterion

Not every keyword with high search volume is relevant to you. What matters is the search intent: Is someone looking for information, for a specific provider, for a product to buy — or researching a purchase decision? A keyword with 500 monthly searches and clear purchase intent is more valuable than one with 5,000 searches and purely informational character. This analysis is a core component of my research and the prerequisite for successful content optimization. How to build content on this foundation is explained in the article writing SEO content.

Long-tail vs. short-tail: Where is the real potential?

Short-tail keywords like "SEO" or "web design" may have large search volumes but are extremely competitive. For most businesses, the realistic ranking potential lies in long-tail keywords — specific, multi-word search queries like "SEO freelancer for small businesses" or "technical SEO audit costs." These keywords have less volume but higher conversion rates and significantly less competition. My research specifically identifies these opportunity keywords that your competitors overlook.

From keyword list to keyword map

The result of my work is not a simple list but a structured keyword map: each keyword is assigned to a thematic cluster, mapped to an existing or new page, and prioritized by business impact. This creates a clear foundation for your SEO optimization — with quick wins for immediate action and a medium-term plan for sustainable growth. For small businesses, this focused approach is particularly valuable because it concentrates budget and time on the most effective keywords.

Keyword research as an ongoing process

Search behavior changes. New competitors enter the market, trends emerge, and Google adjusts its algorithms. That is why I recommend reviewing and updating the keyword foundation every 6 to 12 months. Particularly after major market changes or a website relaunch, a reassessment makes sense. How much this costs can be found on the pricing page. For industry-specific keyword strategies, check the industry overview. I am happy to answer initial questions in a free initial consultation.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

How much does professional keyword research cost?: My hourly rate is EUR 69 net. Comprehensive keyword research takes 8-20 hours depending on the industry and scope. I create a transparent quote upfront so you know the costs exactly. An initial consultation is always free.
How long does keyword research take?: Professional keyword research typically takes 1-2 weeks. During this time, I analyze your industry, your competitors, and the search intents of your target audience. The result is a prioritized keyword map with clear recommendations.
Which tools are used for keyword research?: I work with professional SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Google Keyword Planner, Google Search Console, and other specialized data sources. The combination of different tools provides the most reliable data for sound decisions.
What is a keyword map?: A keyword map assigns each keyword to a specific page on your website. It defines which page should be optimized for which keyword, prevents keyword cannibalization, and forms the basis for your content strategy.
How often should keyword research be updated?: I recommend updating keyword research every 6-12 months. Search behavior, competition, and market conditions change continuously. Regular updates ensure your content strategy is based on current data.

20+

Jahre Erfahrung

69 €

pro Stunde

Vertragslaufzeit

Ansprechpartner

„Die Sichtbarkeit unserer Kanzlei wurde massiv gesteigert. Professionelle Arbeit, transparente Kommunikation und messbare Ergebnisse."

— Nils Marquard, Krach GmbH

Ready for the right keywords?

Let us find out together what your target audience is really searching for. Free initial consultation, no contract commitment, starting at EUR 69/h.