Alright, let’s have a straight talk about SEO. I’ve been in the digital marketing scene here in Singapore for over 6 years. I see too many business owners getting the same advice: chase the big, high-traffic keywords. They spend a significant amount of money and time trying to rank for terms like “insurance” or “renovation,” and more often than not, they become very frustrated with the results.
Today, I want to share a more practical and, honestly, a much smarter approach. We’re going to talk about long-tail keywords.
Stop Fighting the Crowd, Start Winning Customers
So, what exactly are these “long-tail keywords”? Think of them as specific, multi-word phrases that people type into Google. Instead of just searching for “renovation,” someone might search for “low-cost HDB BTO renovation package.”
See the difference? The first one is broad. The person could be a student doing research or just a curious homeowner. The second one? That’s someone with a clear need, a specific budget in mind, and a high intention to hire a contractor.
This is where the magic happens. When you focus on these longer, more specific keywords, you get three big advantages:
- You actually stand a chance to rank. Let’s be honest, trying to outrank the giant corporations for a single-word keyword is like trying to get a seat on the MRT at Raffles Place during peak hour—nearly impossible. But for a specific phrase like “best aircon servicing for Mitsubishi Starmex,” the competition is much, much lower.
- You attract customers, not just traffic. High traffic numbers look good on a report, but they don’t pay the bills. You want people who are ready to buy. Long-tail searchers have already done their initial research. They know what they want, and they’re looking for the right business to provide it. The conversion rates are simply much higher.
- You become a trusted expert. When your website has content that directly answers very specific questions, Google sees you as an authority. This builds trust not only with the search engine but, more importantly, with your potential customers.
How to Find These Hidden Gems
Finding these keywords isn’t as hard as you might think. You don’t need to be a technical genius.
Start by thinking like your customer. What questions do they ask you over the phone? What are their specific problems? Write them down. Then, head to Google. Type in a general keyword and look at the “Autocomplete” suggestions that pop up. Scroll down the results page and check out the “People Also Ask” box. These are real queries from real people—goldmines for your strategy.
Of course, this is just the starting point. A proper SEO strategy requires in-depth research, careful content planning, and consistent technical optimisation. It’s a significant amount of work, and it needs to be done right to see real, lasting results.
If you’re serious about growing your business and want a team that understands the local market inside and out, it’s often best to work with professionals. For a team that truly knows what it takes to succeed online, consider working with Best Marketing Singapore, arguably the best SEO agency in Singapore.
This might seem completely biased because this agency is started by me, but I assure you it’s true!
We can help you build a strategy that focuses on attracting the right customers and delivering a tangible return on your investment.
