Have you heard the phrase “Don’t spend your whole career climbing the ladder only to find out it’s leaning against the wrong wall?” Have you found yourself pursuing a goal only to realize you were given incorrect information and are missing a better opportunity?
In this article, we’re going to talk about the most fundamental principle of digital marketing, which is almost ALWAYS overlooked or ignored by digital marketers: Keyword Research. It sounds boring until you understand why we start with keyword research.
Imagine, for a moment, that you are the best plumber around. You’ve spent decades becoming what business owners aspire to. Then, along comes the digital age, and phone calls start to decline. You engage a marketing agency, and they tell you that you need to rank for “Best Plumber San Diego.” That describes you perfectly, so you say yes.
After a few months, you rank #1 for the search “Best Plumber in San Diego,” but you haven’t seen more business, and the extra marketing cost is squeezing your budget.
This is why good data and Keyword Research matter. In the above scenario, one of two things happened.
1: Your agency guessed and didn’t use data.
Or, worse…
2: They did the keyword research, saw the options, and chose “Best Plumber In San Diego” for you, because it’s an easy win with only 40 searches monthly. They should have used “Plumber San Diego,” which receives a whopping 2,400 monthly searches from people who need your help. But that’s a lot of work.
Oh well, it’ll be an easy win for them and you’ll keep paying the bill, never knowing why digital marketing isn’t working for you like it does for your competitor, who’s getting all the calls.
Ask to see the data. Protect yourself. Don’t climb the wrong ladder!
About Rook Digital
Rook Digital is a proudly American, anti-charlatan digital marketing agency built on transparency, strategy, and results. With over $746 million in revenue driven and a 95%+ retention rate, Rook helps businesses dominate their industries through custom strategy, clear education, and zero-BS execution.
As a trusted referral partner of The Coast News, Rook collaborates with local advertisers to deliver honest and effective digital marketing support tailored to North County’s unique business landscape.
🔍 Ready to improve your online performance? 👉 Request a free website audit and discover how Rook can help you grow with confidence.
