How to Choose Keywords That Actually Bring You Calls and Clients
If you have a website and you want more people to find you, one of the most important things you can learn is how to choose keywords the right way. I know the word “keywords” can sound technical or confusing, but don’t worry—we’re going to break this down in a simple, real-world way that actually makes sense.
At Streamlined System Solutions LLC, we help people every day who feel lost when it comes to websites, Google, and SEO (search engine optimization). Most of them don’t need complicated strategies—they just need someone to explain things clearly and show them what actually works.
In this article, you’ll learn:
What keywords really are (in plain English)
Why they matter for your business
How to choose keywords that bring real people—not just clicks
The best types of keywords for service-based businesses
Simple steps you can follow right away
No tech talk. No fluff. Just what works.
What Are Keywords (In Simple Terms)?
Let’s start here.
A keyword is simply what someone types into Google when they are looking for something.
For example:
“massage therapist near me”
“window installation Boulder CO”
“help with computer setup”
“therapist for anxiety near me”
Those are all keywords.
So when we say “choose keywords,” what we really mean is:
Choosing the exact words your customers are typing into Google when they are trying to find someone like you.
That’s it.
Why Keywords Matter So Much
Google’s job is simple:
Show people the best answers to what they search for.
If your website uses the same words your customers are searching for, Google is more likely to show your website.
If your website uses the wrong words—or words no one is searching—Google may never show your site at all.
That means:
- No traffic
- No calls
- No form submissions
- No new clients
This is why learning to choose keywords correctly is one of the most important things you can do for your business.
The Biggest Mistake Most People Make
Here’s the most common mistake:
They choose keywords based on what they call their service—not what customers search.
Example:
You might say:
“Holistic therapeutic bodywork specialist”
But your customer searches:
“massage therapist near me”
If your website only uses your version, Google doesn’t connect the dots.
This happens all the time. The goal is not to sound fancy. The goal is to match how real people search.
The Difference Between Traffic and Real Leads
Not all keywords are equal.
Some keywords bring:
- Curious people
- Students
- People just browsing
- People not ready to buy
Other keywords bring:
- People ready to call
- People ready to book
- People looking for help right now
- You don’t just want traffic.
You want the right traffic.
The 3 Types of Keywords (And Why They Matter)
Let’s break this down simply.
1. Informational Keywords (Learning)
Examples:
“what is SEO”
“how to fix slow computer”
“benefits of massage therapy”
These people are learning. They are not always ready to hire someone yet.
These are great for blogs (like this one).
2. Navigational Keywords (Looking for a Specific Business)
Examples:
“Streamlined System Solutions LLC”
“Metro Reconstruction website”
These people already know who they want.
3. High-Intent Keywords (THE MOST IMPORTANT)
These are the ones that matter most for your business.
Examples:
“massage therapist near me”
“window replacement Boulder CO”
“computer repair service near me”
“therapist near me accepting new clients”
These people are ready to act.
These are the keywords that generate:
Calls
Form submissions
Bookings
This is where your focus should be.
The Best Keywords for Service-Based Businesses
If you run a service business (which most of your audience does), these types of keywords work best:
1. “Near Me” Keywords
Examples:
“massage therapist near me”
“computer help near me”
“website help near me”
These are HUGE.
Google uses the person’s location to show local businesses.
2. City + Service Keywords
Examples:
“window installation Boulder CO”
“therapist Longmont CO”
“SEO help Denver CO”
These are some of the highest-converting keywords you can use.
3. Problem-Based Keywords
Examples:
“computer running slow fix”
“website not showing on Google”
“how to get more clients online”
These bring people who are experiencing a problem right now.
4. Service + Action Keywords
Examples:
“hire massage therapist near me”
“book therapist Boulder CO”
“get website help now”
These show strong intent.
Simple Step-by-Step: How to Choose Keywords
Let’s make this really simple.
Step 1: Think Like Your Customer
Ask yourself:
What would someone type if they needed my help right now?
What would they say if they didn’t know technical terms?
Keep it simple.
Step 2: Use Google Itself
Go to Google and start typing something like:
“massage therapist…”
Google will show suggestions like:
massage therapist near me
massage therapist Boulder CO
massage therapist for back pain
These suggestions are real searches.
Step 3: Look at the Top Results
Search your keyword and see:
What kind of websites show up
What words they use
How they title their pages
This gives you clues about what Google likes.
Step 4: Keep It Simple and Specific
Instead of:
“services”
Use:
“computer repair Longmont CO”
Specific beats general every time.
Step 5: Focus on One Keyword Per Page
Each page on your website should focus on one main keyword.
Example:
Home page → “computer help Longmont CO”
Service page → “website help for small business”
Blog post → “how to choose keywords”
This helps Google understand your page clearly.
Where to Put Your Keywords (Important)
Once you choose your keyword, you should place it in:
Page title
First paragraph
Headings
Throughout the content (naturally)
Image alt text
Meta description
But don’t overdo it.
You don’t want to sound robotic.
Write like a human, not a machine.
What NOT to Do
Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Using overly fancy language
People don’t search like that.
❌ Stuffing keywords everywhere
Google doesn’t like this anymore.
❌ Targeting super broad keywords
Example: “contractor” (too competitive)
❌ Ignoring location
Local businesses MUST include city names.
❌ Guessing instead of researching
Use real search suggestions.
Why Most People Get This Wrong
Most people:
Overcomplicate it
Follow outdated advice
Target the wrong words
Don’t understand search intent
Give up too early
SEO is not magic.
It’s about:
Matching what people search
Creating helpful content
Being consistent
How Streamlined System Solutions LLC Makes This Simple
At Streamlined System Solutions LLC, we take all of this and simplify it for you.
We help you:
Identify the exact keywords your customers use
Focus on high-intent, lead-generating keywords
Avoid wasting time on low-value traffic
Structure your website correctly
Understand what you’re doing (in plain English)
We don’t just “do SEO.”
We make it understandable and usable for real people.
Real-World Example
Let’s say you offer computer help.
Bad keyword:
“technology solutions”
Good keyword:
“computer help Longmont CO”
Why?
Because that’s what someone actually types when they need help.
The Goal: More Calls, Not Just Clicks
Remember this:
The goal is not more visitors. The goal is more clients.
You want people who:
Need help
Are ready to act
Are looking for someone like you
That’s what the right keywords bring.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to choose keywords is one of the most powerful things you can do for your website—but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Keep it simple:
Think like your customer
Use real search terms
Focus on local and high-intent keywords
Keep your language natural
Stay consistent
And if it still feels overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Streamlined System Solutions LLC, we specialize in making things like this simple, clear, and effective—especially for people who are not technical. Contact me for help learning how to do it yourself or I can do it for you.
Because when you understand the basics, everything starts to make more sense—and your website starts working for you instead of just sitting there.