How do I know if we’re showing up on Google for the right searches?

To determine if your business is appearing on Google for the right searches, analyse your organic search traffic and keyword rankings using tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics. Check if the keywords driving traffic align with your business goals and target audience. If not, refine your SEO strategy to focus on more relevant terms.

Why This Matters

Imagine you’re running a SAAS company selling project management software. You might think showing up for “best software” is gold. But if your traffic isn’t converting, you might be drawing the wrong crowd. The right searches bring the right people — those who are actually looking for what you offer. It’s about relevance, not just volume.

When you show up for the right searches, you get visitors who are more likely to engage, convert, and become loyal customers. This alignment between search intent and your offerings is what makes your SEO efforts truly effective. Otherwise, you’re just shouting into the void.

Steps to Check Your Search Presence

First off, you need a clear strategy. Without it, you’re flying blind. Here’s how you can ensure you’re on track:

• Use Google Search Console: This tool shows which queries bring users to your site. Check if these queries match what you expect and want.

• Analyse Google Analytics: Dive into your organic traffic. Look at the behaviour flow to see if visitors from certain keywords are engaging meaningfully.

• Review Keyword Rankings: Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can help. Identify where you rank for your target keywords.

• Check Competitor Keywords: See what keywords your competitors rank for. This can give you insights into potential opportunities or gaps.

• Refine Your Content: If your keywords and content aren’t aligned, adjust your content strategy. Make sure your pages are optimised for the right terms.

Once you’ve checked these, you should have a clearer picture. If your keywords aren’t hitting the mark, it’s time to tweak your approach. Consider consulting a search engine optimisation expert to refine your strategy.

Getting It Right

You know what’s frustrating? Spending time and money on SEO and not seeing results. I get it. It’s like shouting into the wind. The trick is to keep things simple. Focus on what matters.

The right keywords are like having a conversation with your ideal customer. You wouldn’t talk about cats if you’re selling dog food, right? Same goes for SEO. Speak your customer’s language. Align your content with their needs and questions.

Remember, SEO isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a dance. You need to keep moving, adjusting, and refining. Stay engaged with your audience’s needs and adapt as they change. That’s how you ensure you’re showing up for the right searches, and ultimately, getting the results you want.