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Boost Conversion Rates: How to Target High-Intent Keywords the Right Way

No matter the industry, no matter the niche – the battle for attention in the digital sphere is fierce. Among the sea of competitors, how can your website not only stand out to attract and convert customers? One of the answers lies in leveraging the power of high-intent keywords. What Are High-Intent Keywords? Also known…
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No matter the industry, no matter the niche – the battle for attention in the digital sphere is fierce. Among the sea of competitors, how can your website not only stand out to attract and convert customers?

One of the answers lies in leveraging the power of high-intent keywords.

What Are High-Intent Keywords?

Also known as buyer-intent keywords and commercial-intent keywords, high-intent keywords are a core component of any highly targeted search engine optimisation (SEO) strategy. These keywords are the search terms used by people who are ready to take action right then and there – whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a service, or contacting a company for more information.

Unlike top funnel keywords, which are broad or informational and cater to users simply gathering information, high-intent keywords are aimed at those on the verge of completing a conversion. High-intent words fall into two general categories:

  • Transactional keywords: Examples of transactional keywords include terms such as “for sale,” “deal,” “discount,” or “buy.”
  • Navigational keywords: Navigational keywords are used when someone is searching for a specific brand or product. This suggests the user has already decided what they want – now it’s just a case of locating it with the right search term.

By moving away from low-intent keywords and instead targeting their high-intent counterparts, you can significantly increase your website’s conversion rates. The reason is simple: you’re capturing traffic that is already primed to convert.

What is Conversion Rate Optimisation?

What is conversion rate optimisation? How does this link to knowing which keywords are best to target? Let us answer those questions.

Conversion rate optimisation (CRO) is a process built around increasing the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action. Most would instantly think of that action as being a product purchase. However, it could also be anything from completing a submission form to signing up for a newsletter. To get it right with CRO, it’s essential you understand how users move through your site, the actions they take, and what’s preventing them from converting.

With CRO, various components are included to create a more compelling user experience that drives conversions. One of the most important is the use of keywords within content. Even if you have attracted high-intent leads through search results, you need to ensure these keywords complement the overall user journey.

Learn more: What Is CRO

Methods to Target High-Intent Keywords

Now you know high-intent keywords are among the main methods when learning how to increase conversion rates. The next step is learning how to find buyer intent keywords and use them correctly. Below are some key methods to follow:

Keyword research

A person sitting with a laptop holding a megaphone and another person holding a magnifying glass to a search bar with keys and icons scattered.

The first step in targeting high-intent keywords is to conduct thorough keyword research. There are numerous tools available that make this a breeze, including Google’s Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. With any of these tools, you are able to find the keywords that align with the buying intent relevant to your brand, products, or services. One tip is to look for keywords with a higher cost-per-click (CPC). These generally indicate a stronger intent to purchase.

Analyse the competition

Two individuals studying a analytics screen

 

After the first step, you will have put together a buyer intent keywords list. However, it is always wise to research your competitors to uncover the high-intent keywords they are using. With a tool like Ahref’s Site Explorer, simply input the URL of a competitor, and you can extract a lot of valuable data – including keywords with high purchase intent – within seconds.

Ahrefs Site Explorer

Along with being able to add to your list of buyer intent keywords, competitor analysis can help spark ideas with your own content creation. See how they are building around the high-intent keywords they’re using. By doing so, you can see what content you are up against – and what has to be done to outrank what they’ve created.

Optimise content

Two individuals collaborating on a computer screen.

When learning how to increase your website traffic, one of the most important elements is crafting high-quality, optimised content. Yes, the content has to be optimised for search engines, but that’s only part of the puzzle. It also has to be produced to appeal to the user’s intent.

For example, say the buyer intent keyword you are targeting is “buy organic chocolate online.” The content on the page should directly address how to purchase, along with the product’s pricing, benefits, and delivery information. By optimising content around your buying intent keywords, conversion rates will rocket.

See how our link building services can push your content up the search engine rankings.

PPC campaigns

It’s wise to leverage pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to position your products or services in front of users who are ready to convert. It’s true: high-intent keywords can be competitive and costly. Yet, they can also be incredibly effective when it comes to driving conversions.

Craft your ad copy to answer the intent of the keyword directly. Additionally, ensure the landing page linked to the ad aligns with the promise made in the ad copy. By doing so, your high-intent targeting keywords will pay off – and those costly clicks won’t be wasted.

Monitor and analyse

Two individuals monitoring analytics

If you have ever done an SEO audit, you understand this marketing strategy is not one you can set and forget. This also applies to targeting high-intent keywords, where continual monitoring and analysis are essential. Use analytics tools to track how well your keywords are converting. Not hitting the levels you expected? You have clear evidence that adjustments are necessary.

An adjustment could involve the revision of your landing pages, for example, or it might see you tweaking your ad copy. If those purchase-intent keywords have truly missed the mark, you may even revise your entire strategy to focus on terms that bring a higher ROI.

This could involve tweaking your ad copy, revising your landing pages, or even revising your keyword strategy to focus on terms that bring a higher ROI.

Conclusion

Targeting high-intent keywords is a tricky yet highly rewarding approach to improving conversion rates. It’s about understanding the mindset of your potential customers at a crucial decision-making point and providing them with the solution they seek.

It’s always a key aspect of our managed SEO service. Speaking of which, if you need assistance with high-intent keywords, feel free to get in touch today. We can also provide professional expertise in other vital SEO aspects, such as content creation and backlink analysis.

James Owen, Co-Founder & Head Of Search

James has been involved in SEO and digital marketing projects since 2007. James has led many SEO projects for well-known brands in Travel, Gaming and Retail such as Jackpotjoy, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels, Hotels.com, Expedia, Betway, Gumtree, 888, Ax Paris, Ebyuer, Ebay, Hotels combined, Smyths toys, love honey and Pearson to name a few. James has also been a speaker at SEO and digital marketing conferences and events such as Brighton SEO.

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