On-Page SEO
Keyword Research for New Websites: Where to Start
A new site has no Search Console history yet. Start from what you sell and what customers ask.
Established sites can mine their Search Console data. A new site can’t, and it usually can’t compete for the broadest terms straight away.
The practical approach is to start specific and build up.
Short answer: For a new website: list every service or product and the words customers use for them; add the questions they ask before buying; check the results page for each to understand intent and competition; target specific, lower-competition searches first (service plus area, specific product types, detailed questions); map each to one page; and revisit after a few months using real Search Console data.
Key Takeaways
- Start from services and customer language.
- Specific searches first; broad terms later.
- Check the results page for intent and competition.
- One page per intent from day one.
- Revisit once Search Console has data.
Steps
- List services or product types in customers’ words.
- Collect customer questions (finding questions).
- Check rough volumes in Keyword Planner, remembering they’re estimates (keyword metrics).
- Search each term and note who ranks.
- Pick specific terms you can realistically win (long-tail keywords).
- Map them to pages (keyword mapping).
After launch
Once Search Console collects data, see which queries you already appear for and expand from there (using Search Console for keyword research).
Frequently asked questions
Should a new site target competitive keywords?
Include them on the right pages, but expect early wins from specific searches.
How many keywords should a new site target?
Enough to cover each service and key question with one page each.
When will I see data?
Search Console data appears once the site is indexed and shown in results.
Want keyword research tied to revenue?
We map the searches your customers use to the pages that should win them, prioritized by business value, not just volume.
Sources
- Google Ads Help: Use Keyword Planner
- Search Console Help: Performance report (Search results)
- Google Search Central: SEO Starter Guide
Last reviewed October 14, 2026.
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