Understanding Brand vs Nonbrand Keywords: What You Need to Know as a Marketer
keywords are currency, but if you’re only targeting popular search terms without understanding the difference between brand and nonbrand keywords, you’re likely leaving money, and conversions on the table. Whether you run an e-commerce store, offer digital services, or work in-house for a growing startup, knowing how to balance these two keyword types can sharpen your marketing strategy and boost your ROI. At Dgazelle Digital Services, we help businesses decode SEO complexities like this every day. So let’s break it down. What Are Brand and Nonbrand Keywords? Brand Keywords: These include your business name, product names, or any phrase directly associated with your brand. Examples: “Nike running shoes”, “Dgazelle SEO services”, “Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max”. People searching these terms already know who you are. They’re warmer leads, closer to conversion, and usually searching with intent. Non- brand Keywords: These are generic terms not tied to your specific business but relate to what you offer. Examples: “best running shoes”, “SEO agency near me”, “digital marketing consultant” Nonbrand keywords target a colder audience, people who may not know you yet, but are in the market for what you offer. Why Does This Distinction Matter? Many businesses focus heavily on branded keywords in their campaigns, thinking, “Let’s rank for our name first.” That’s important, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Here’s what you’re missing if you ignore nonbrand keywords: Real-World Scenario: A Marketer’s Blindspot. Let’s say you’re the marketing manager of a growing skincare brand. You run Google Ads using only branded keywords like “Glow Skin Moisturizer” and “Glow Skin Nigeria.” Sure, your loyal customers find you, but new users looking for “best moisturizers for oily skin” won’t see your brand at all. You’ve just left a massive opportunity on the table. So Which Should You Focus On? The short answer? Both. But how you balance them depends on your goals. It’s not just about running ads, it’s about running the right ones.Let our digital marketing team at Dgazelle optimize your keyword strategy and get more ROI from your campaigns. Book a free consultation. Goal: Focus More On How to Optimize for Both 1. Create SEO Content That Targets Nonbrand Terms Write blogs, landing pages, and FAQs that answer what your ideal customer is Googling, before they know you exist. 2. Run Branded PPC Campaigns to Protect Your Space Competitors may bid on your name, especially if you’re gaining traction. Use branded ads to stay top of mind and defend your brand space. Bonus? Branded ads are cheaper and convert better. 3. Use Google Search Console to Monitor What People Actually Search You may be surprised how people are finding you. Are they using variations of your brand name? Misspellings? Track these, then add them as exact match or phrase match keywords in your campaigns. 4. Create a Balanced Keyword Strategy Think of your keywords in three layers: Brand keywords: To convert people already familiar with you. Nonbrand keywords: To attract new visitors. Hybrid keywords: Like “Dgazelle ecommerce SEO tips” these work well for content marketing and authority-building. How Dgazelle Can Help You Strike the Balance At Dgazelle Digital Services, we understand that successful digital marketing is more than picking a few keywords and hoping for clicks. We help service-based brands, coaches, consultants, e-commerce stores, and agencies: Whether you’re building from scratch or scaling your efforts, our strategy-first approach ensures your marketing dollars work harder. Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game In 2025 and beyond, the SEO game isn’t about gaming algorithms. It’s about serving humans. Branded keywords will always be your strongest signals of trust and loyalty. But nonbrand keywords are how strangers become customers. Want to maximize both? Let Dgazelle help you build an SEO strategy that balances discovery and dominance, because what good is a great brand if no one new ever sees it? Let Dgazelle help you strike the perfect balance between brand and nonbrand keywords that actually convert. Talk to a strategist today.
What is an XML Sitemap? A Simple Guide for SEO
Don’t let the term “XML sitemap” scare you off just yet. Here’s the good news: while an XML sitemap falls under the “technical” side of SEO, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, creating a solid XML sitemap takes just a few clicks—no coding required! It’s free, easy, and a smart way to boost your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. Think of it as giving Google a roadmap to your website, ensuring your most important pages get found faster. Ready to get started? Let’s break it down. Here’s a refined, SEO-friendly version that keeps it engaging and subtly aligns with Nigerian business owners while incorporating a natural Dgazelle plug: What Exactly is an XML Sitemap? An XML sitemap is simply a list of a website’s URLs. Think of it as a roadmap that helps search engines navigate and understand the structure of your site. The “XML” stands for Extensible Markup Language, a format that organizes data in a way search engines can read. But why does this matter for your business website? Why Your Website Needs an XML Sitemap Search engines like Google use web crawlers to scan and index pages across the internet. While crawlers are smart, an XML sitemap makes their job easier by telling them exactly what pages exist, how often they’re updated, and which ones are most important. In short, an XML sitemap helps your website get indexed faster and rank better on search engines. Here’s what an XML sitemap does for your website: Without a sitemap, Google might take longer to discover your content—or worse, miss it entirely. Need a professionally structured website with SEO best practices baked in? Dgazelle makes it easy—so you can focus on growing your business while we handle the tech. What Are the Benefits of an XML Sitemap? If you’re wondering, “Do I really need an XML sitemap?” The short answer is—yes! And the good news? It only takes a few minutes to create, yet the benefits are huge. Here’s why an XML sitemap is a must-have for your business website: Creating and Setting Up an XML Sitemap Using Screaming Frog If you’re ready to create an XML sitemap for your website, we’ll follow a simple three-step process: 1. Create an XML Sitemap Using Screaming Frog (For Any Website) Screaming Frog is a powerful SEO tool that helps you generate an XML sitemap, no matter your website’s CMS, size, or age. With Screaming Frog, you can: After generating your XML sitemap with Screaming Frog, you need to upload it to your website. This requires FTP access to your server. If you’re familiar with FTP, simply place the file in your website’s root directory. If you’re unsure how to do this, check with a developer or hosting provider for guidance based on your CMS or server type. 2. Create an XML Sitemap Using Yoast (WordPress Only) If your website runs on WordPress, the Yoast SEO plugin simplifies sitemap creation. To use Yoast for XML sitemaps, you need: Once set up, Yoast will automatically generate and update your sitemap whenever you add or modify content. How to Submit Your XML Sitemap to Google To ensure Google indexes your website properly, submit your sitemap through Google Search Console: After submission, use the Sitemaps report to check for errors. Once done, Google will start indexing your site. Need help with your website’s SEO? At Dgazelle, we build SEO-friendly websites designed to rank higher and convert better. Let’s get your business the visibility it deserves! Contact us today. Submitting Your Sitemap to Bing and Yandex How to Submit Your Sitemap to Bing Bing may not be as dominant as Google, but it still has 900 million monthly users—making it worth your time. Here’s how to submit your sitemap: That’s it! Bing will process and index your site. How to Submit Your Sitemap to Yandex Yandex controls over 55% of Russia’s search market, making it essential for global reach. Here’s how to submit your sitemap: Yandex takes about two weeks to index sitemaps, so check back for status updates. Conclusion: Take Control of Your SEO with an XML Sitemap Many small business owners hesitate when they hear “XML sitemap”—thinking it’s too technical. But the truth? It’s quick, easy, and essential for SEO. With tools like Screaming Frog or Yoast, you can create a sitemap in under 10 minutes—even if you have no prior experience. Submitting it to search engines takes only a few more clicks. The benefits? Better indexing, improved rankings, and faster discovery of your content. If you want a hassle-free way to optimize your website for search engines, Dgazelle can handle the heavy lifting. Focus on growing your business while we take care of the technical stuff.
