One of the main objectives of any business is not only to capture the attention of customers in general but to engage the right kind of customers. The same is true of search engine optimization. Companies place a higher value on website visitors that come ready to purchase than the casual “passersby” who don’t have strong intent one way or the other. So how can businesses leverage SEO to attract that kind of customer? One way is the judicious use of long-tail keywords.
What are Long-Tail Keywords?
A long-tail keyword is, per HubSpot’s definition, “a keyword phrase that aims to capture search traffic from a specific, often 3+ word search query.” In other words, instead of optimizing your content for “red car,” you’re aiming to entice the “1967 red Chevrolet Camaro” crowd to your site.
What are the Benefits of Using Long-Tail Keywords?
- They are a crucial component in local SEO. To illustrate: you can leverage long-tail keyword phrases like “pizza restaurants near Lincoln Square” to optimize your Chicago-based wood-fired pizza establishment.
- They target niche audiences. The more specific your long-tail keywords are, the less competition you’ll have from other companies focusing on different subsets of the consumer base you hold in common.
- They attract highly qualified traffic. If searchers find your site because of hyper-specific keyword phrases, then you know that they are either highly interested in your product/service or have high intent to purchase. Both of these are great things!
In summary, long-tail keywords are an essential part of most businesses’ SEO strategy because they help attract not just customers in general but the right kind of customers. Contact us today to learn more about how long-tail keywords and other SEO strategies can help grow your business. Every business should understand why it’s important to have a professional SEO plan.
