How to Add Keywords to Your Website for SEO

To add keywords to your website the right way, put your main keyword in a few specific places — the page title, the H1, the first paragraph, one or two subheadings, the URL, the meta description, and your image alt text — then write naturally everywhere else. That is it. No stuffing, no hidden text, no repeating the phrase 20 times.

The old idea of "adding keywords" — pasting a phrase over and over until the page ranks — stopped working years ago and now actively hurts you. Here is what to do instead.

Start with the right keyword, not just any keyword

Before you add anything, make sure you are targeting a phrase people actually search and that you can realistically rank for. For a local business, that usually means specific, lower-competition phrases — "web designer in Douala" beats "web design," which you will never outrank global giants for. Pick one main keyword per page and one or two close variations.

Where to put your keyword

These are the spots that carry weight. Cover them once, naturally:

• Page title (title tag) — near the front. This is the biggest single on-page signal, and it is what shows in Google's results.
• URL — short and readable: /seo-services, not /page?id=42.
• H1 heading — the visible headline, usually the same as your title.
• First 100 words — mention the topic early so both readers and Google know what the page is about.
• A subheading or two (H2) — use the variations people search, like question phrases.
• Meta description — it is not a ranking factor, but a good one earns the click.
• Image alt text — describe the image honestly; include the keyword only if it genuinely fits.

Notice what is not on this list: repeating the phrase in every sentence. Once the important spots are covered, write for the reader.

A simple step-by-step

1. Pick one main keyword and a couple of variations for the page.
2. Write the title with the keyword near the start.
3. Set a clean, readable URL.
4. Use the keyword in your H1 and early in the opening paragraph.
5. Work variations into two or three subheadings where they fit naturally.
6. Write the rest of the page for a human. Cover the topic fully.
7. Add a meta description that makes someone want to click.
8. Describe your images in alt text.

Do not stuff keywords

Keyword stuffing — forcing a phrase in over and over — is the fastest way to make a page read badly and rank worse. Google's systems are built to spot it. If a sentence sounds awkward because you jammed the keyword in, take it out. One natural mention beats ten forced ones.

The goal was never "more keywords." It was matching what the searcher wants. A page that fully answers the question will naturally use the relevant words anyway.

Frequently asked questions

How many times should a keyword appear on a page?

There is no magic count. Use it in the key spots above and wherever it reads naturally in the body. On a normal page that is usually a handful of times — not a percentage you need to calculate.

Where is the most important place to put a keyword?

The title tag. It is the strongest on-page signal and the headline people see in search results, so get your main keyword in there near the front.

Can adding keywords hurt my SEO?

Only if you overdo it. Natural placement helps; stuffing hurts. When in doubt, read the sentence aloud — if it sounds unnatural, fix it.

Not sure which keywords your Cameroon customers actually search? Finding them is the first thing we do in our SEO services — ask us for a free review.