The right way to research customer is to ask the right question. What people will search to find products like mine on Google?
Keyword Planning and Competition Estimation is important. When you don’t do it, you end up working on unnecessary things.
Execution complying all Google algorithms is essential, if you don’t follow them, you won’t rank higher on Search Engine.
A lot of links will give you temporary ranking, but does that add value to your business? Plan Long Term, Rank Long Term.