What are the three most important words in SEO?
If you thought of ‘Google Ranking Factors’, think again. So too for ‘Keywords, Keywords, Keywords.’ And the answer is not ‘Core Web Vitals’ either.
So which words are so important, that without them you simply cannot begin to implement a strategy and optimize a site?
The Three Most Important Words in SEO
Your Target Audience. This is the single most crucial element to determine before you begin implementing SEO strategies.
Yes, Google ranking factors play a huge part in the positioning of a website. And you can’t even begin to optimize a site without a comprehensive list of relevant keywords.
But those are part of the ‘how’.
First you must focus on the ‘who’.
Just like a good copywriter won’t write anything without first researching the target audience, a good SEO won’t even attempt to optimize a site without understanding who it is trying to reach.
Why Does This Make a Difference?
Understanding just who the target audience is in-depth will provide insights into a whole range of factors, including:
The terminology and keywords they use
The questions and problems they have
The sort of content they look for
Their familiarity with the service or product provided
The other websites and platforms they frequently use
In addition, for effective local SEO, understanding your target audience allows you to tailor content to meet your community's specific needs.
If you want to create content that truly connects with your clients, you must first find out who they are trying to appeal to. It's important to remember that the focus should be on their needs, not yours. Social listening is a great way to find out their concerns, interests, and the language they use.
Attempting to do SEO without knowing this is like trying to drive a car down a dark, unfamiliar country lane with your headlights off.
Not a good idea.
So, maybe now is the time to start getting to know your target audience. Your clients will thank you for this.
