10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Do "how-to" keywords in the phrase considered as buying keywords?

by vinzsama
8 replies
hey guys, currently I'm researching on some niches and found out that some of the "how-to" phrases do have a not-bad amount of searches of around 3k to 5k but Online Commercial Intention at only 8%... However if targeting keywords like "productname + review", the number of searches come down miserably at less than 100 or even not enough data to show.. I'm concerned that if I target on the "how-to" phrase keywords, it may appear that people are just searching for information with no intention to buy..

can anyone please enlighten me what should I do? Should I target those "how-to" phrases?
#buying #considered #howto #keywords #phrase
  • Profile picture of the author eaglechick
    I haven't target many "how to" keywords but I think if you monetize your site well it could results in sales.

    As for the product name + review keyword all I can say the only time I've tried that I landed the nr 1 spot and is still there, but the traffic is indeed dismal. Testing the theory that a number 1 spot does'nt necessarily guarantees traffic and it depends on the niche and the product name as well and how you've monetized your site.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2337431].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MemberWing
    This is good question. I do not think there is generic answer on this.
    Generally "How to" is information search stage, not an immediate buyer intent, but on some markets the jump between information and impulse buy could be rather quick or sometimes immediate.

    I am currently working on analytics script that would allow to answer this precise question:
    - where buyers are coming from (sites) and
    - what buyers were searching for before purchase.

    This is data mining script that goes through raw log files and correlates them with sales records to give surgically precise answers. If i will find any "how to" phrases that buyers used - I'll let you know

    Gleb
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2337450].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author vinzsama
      Originally Posted by MemberWing View Post

      This is good question. I do not think there is generic answer on this.
      Generally "How to" is information search stage, not an immediate buyer intent, but on some markets the jump between information and impulse buy could be rather quick or sometimes immediate.

      I am currently working on analytics script that would allow to answer this precise question:
      - where buyers are coming from (sites) and
      - what buyers were searching for before purchase.

      This is data mining script that goes through raw log files and correlates them with sales records to give surgically precise answers. If i will find any "how to" phrases that buyers used - I'll let you know

      Gleb
      Thanks Gleb, that will be great!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2337593].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author MemberWing
        Originally Posted by vinzsama View Post

        Thanks Gleb, that will be great!
        Here's my research results regarding buyers only.
        None of these queries includes the name of my product or brand. In other words these search queries does not include phrases such as: "how to download manual for brandname".

        After correlating my traffic logs with purchases I found that my buyers before making purchase decision used "how to" keyword variations in about 4% of their queries.

        Most popular keywords used by buyers together with "how to" keywords are "use" and "make". Usage of keyword "use" was a bit surprising and in some queries reflected low level of technical knowledge from buyers.

        Again the value of my research is that it only concerned with buyers - people who already spend money, sometimes hundreds of dollars on online downloadable products.

        Hope it helps!

        Gleb
        Signature
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2340896].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rajivkumar900
    Originally Posted by vinzsama View Post

    hey guys, currently I'm researching on some niches and found out that some of the "how-to" phrases do have a not-bad amount of searches of around 3k to 5k but Online Commercial Intention at only 8%... However if targeting keywords like "productname + review", the number of searches come down miserably at less than 100 or even not enough data to show.. I'm concerned that if I target on the "how-to" phrase keywords, it may appear that people are just searching for information with no intention to buy..

    can anyone please enlighten me what should I do? Should I target those "how-to" phrases?
    See Friend as far as my experience is concerned, there are two phase of selling, so pre sale process is really important to get maximum conversion, even though buying keywords are real important but if your website content are organize then pre sale content can give real information and give you more conversion as well, on the other hand if your content are not complimentry to how to keywords then visitor will go back to google again to look for more info. that case "how to" keyword will be bad choice.
    I hope this helps.
    Thanks.
    Rajiv
    Signature

    Rajiv Kumar
    Skpe: rajivkumar900
    Email id : rajivkumar900@gmail.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2337879].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve Brown
      In my experience most surfers who ask HOW TO do something are really looking for information that is free. Reviews of the Product name may deliver a few more buyers but again, I have found, that most people review for free and then go away and think about it. If you can get there email and contact them later with an updated review. Or give them How To information and present them with a way to do it inexpensively or easier or whatever, then your conversions should go up. Just my opinion.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2337919].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mlord10
    It really depends on the "how to" question that is being asked. For instance, if you want to learn "how to change a tire" then I would imagine not too many people are going to pay for information on how to do this.

    However, if you are targeting a "how to" phrase such as "how to get on the first page of Google" then you would have a buying keyword.

    I have found that targeting how to phrases only works when their is a bigger benefit associated with the questions. For instance, people searching for "how to get on the first page of Google" are ultimately looking for how to increase traffic and business exposure, which will lead to more profits.

    Look for how to phrases with both an initial benefit, and a more "prized benefit."
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2338015].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author vinzsama
      thanks everyone for sharing your opinion!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2339483].message }}

Trending Topics