January 9, 2025
Getting your business to rank is a perennial challenge and something that companies can find hard. But it is also essential for making inroads into any market. Firms that get it right can look forward to massive interest in their services, while those that don’t will stagnate.
But what should companies be doing with their blogs to get into the top spot on Google for specific search terms? That’s the big question.
Fortunately, this post offers some answers. We look at the methods that work and why they can be so effective for many companies.
One strategy is to answer high-intent questions. Addressing these in blogs helps consumers make the decision on whether to buy.
High-intent questions are ideal for solving some of their biggest problems. These allow them to push past their paint points or misgivings and simply get a fuller understanding of what they should do.
For example, you could answer a question about an industry term in your field, explaining what it is so that your audience can better understand what you do. Companies selling complicated products, like laptop computers, do this all the time.
Another approach is to answer questions related to choosing the best product for a specific need. For example, you might delve into which fishing rod to choose for someone who likes to fish in the wintertime.
If you aren’t sure whether you are answering a high-intent question (one that prospects who are ready to buy tend to ask), go to Google’s “People Also Ask” section and see what’s being looked for there. It’s a great location to see the answers to popular questions and how they relate to your site.
Another method is to create a comprehensive guide that people can share. Telling people how to do something step-by-step is highly effective.
For example, you could talk about a process related to your industry, like how to make the best use of an aromatherapy device or a steam sauna. Giving customers instructions like these ensures that they can get the most value possible from these interventions.
You could also introduce people to a specific topic. For example, you could provide an introduction to using CBD oil or using an electric bicycle.
If you can be more comprehensive than the competition, Google will likely reward you. The search engine prefers companies that provide the most information to its users and delivers it in the best way.
Ensure you break the guide into sections, including visuals to make it skimmable. Summarize the main points so that people with less time can still get the gist of it without having to go into all the details.
Use effective blog titles where possible. Ensure you draw people in and promise to address the specific needs they have.
You could also try the tactic of writing comparison posts. These are effective because they help customers compare products before they buy. These give them a run-down of their options.
You can sometimes compare your products and services with those of competitors, although this is quite risky. Instead, most brands simply compare various options up and down their line, from affordable to premium. The goal of the process should be to capture prospects looking for value but also tempt those with more cash to pay more for your services overall. Using blogging to sell them premium products is an excellent way to increase margins.
For example, when comparing products, ask which is best for specific purposes. Give your leads an idea about which they should be buying to improve their lives.
You can also talk about the pros and cons of your affordable products and services, and why someone might want to upgrade. Again, this approach helps with upselling and gives you more options.
Be as objective as you can in these reviews. You don’t want them to sound like a prolonged sales pitch. Show your audience respect by keeping it about them and showing how they will benefit from the various decisions they can make. If you can, use data to make your points. Show that you are being level-headed and not just trying to convince them to buy from you.
Another approach is to write listicles with actionable insights. These work because of how clickable they are. People just want to read through these posts for psychological reasons.
One of the ways you can make lists more effective is to talk about specific outcomes. For example, you could list ten ways the lawnmowers you sell help keep a lawn healthy. You could also list ten ways a supplement you distribute can improve health outcomes.
Another approach is to talk about your target audience in the blog post title for the listicle and what they should be doing. For example:
When you personalize titles like this, it has a profound effect on prospects. Suddenly, they see how the blog is relevant to them and want to click on it.
When adopting this approach, make sure you include numbers in the title. You can even provide a hint in the headline for what audiences can do to improve their lives, giving them even more reason to click on the post.
Another approach is to use case studies. These work because they show that your brand can deliver real-world results, a tactic that is particularly effective in the B2B realm.
Case studies usually describe how you helped specific clients achieve their results. You want to make it seem like the entire process was seamless and that you assisted them every step of the way. This approach is a form of social proof and is usually more powerful than online reviews.
Another angle is to talk about the lessons you learned from a specific project. This approach is best for when you want to demonstrate specific expertise in a niche that prospects will struggle to find elsewhere. If you know you took on a challenge that nobody else did, then that can be tremendously helpful.
When adopting this approach, ensure you use plenty of visuals and metrics. Use numbers to back up the effectiveness of your approaches and explain why they worked. Get the client to provide their assent in the form of quotes and other materials. Try to make it stand out.
You could also try debunking common myths to get your blog posts to rank. People like these posts because it enlightens them while addressing controversies at the same time. It provides them with the inside scoop.
When you bust myths, it makes you more authoritative. Most audiences will see you as someone who really knows their stuff.
For example, you could talk about the myths surrounding your industry or the products you sell. You could talk about the false things that people say about them, and how that gets in the way of consumers benefiting from an enhanced experience. You could also delve into why particular misconceptions are wrong and where they originated.
Whenever you broach this topic, ensure that the facts are on your side. Where possible, back up your claims by linking to various sources. Don’t say anything that might get blowback at a later date.
If you can find experts who are willing to support you on a specific topic, then speak to them. Get them to have a conversation with you and find out what it is that they know about the issues and how they can help you deal with any controversy.
Using local SEO is another method you can use to help your posts rank. This tactic is ideal if your company sells to local, not national or international audiences.
Local SEO is an intent-driven option that leads to conversions. For example, you could talk about the top services and products in specific locations. You could also provide guides to the use of specific products in your city or region.
Local SEO works best when you include relevant location identifiers (like the name of a road, town, city, county, state or territory). When you do this, Google makes a note that the blog is intended for specific audiences operating locally, and will automatically prioritize it above leading content from elsewhere. People will get a more in-depth insight into your area and what to expect than if you targeted the national scene.
You want to make sure you include plenty of local highlights to maximize the benefits of taking this approach. Grab a list of keywords to include from keyword-generating software to ensure you are covering all the angles.
Finally, updating existing content is an excellent blog strategy that can help you rank. Taking an old post, reading through it, and making sure it makes sense for a newer audience is essential and can work well if you already have a lot of content on your site.