Master Keyword Research For Ecommerce Websites - A Complete Guide
Think once you have the right and perfect product to launch in the market, but no one knows about it, how will you make people aware of it? This is a challenge that many online store owners face, and it's where e-commerce keyword research can make all the difference. The right keywords are essential for connecting your store with people who are already searching for the products you sell. However, not all keywords are equal. Some bring a lot of traffic but don't lead to sales, while others attract buyers who are ready to purchase. The key is identifying profitable keywords that actually drive results.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to conduct effective keyword research for your online store. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your business, these strategies will help you attract the right customers and boost sales. Let’s get started!
If you want to increase awareness of your perfect product, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a must, and keyword research is a key part of it. You can contact top SEO companies in Lucknow, and any region where you belong to, to help with this.
What is Ecommerce Keyword Research?
E-commerce keyword research involves finding the search terms people use to find products online. This type of keyword research is different from general keyword research because it focuses on transactional and commercial intent keywords, which are keywords likely to drive sales. For instance, someone searching for “buy men’s leather wallet” is likely closer to making a purchase than someone searching for “best wallets for men.” The latter is less likely to convert into a sale because the searcher is just comparing options. In contrast, keywords with strong purchase intent are much more valuable for your e-commerce store.
In fact, 70% of marketers believe that using the right keywords significantly helps businesses improve their visibility, attract buyers, and boost sales. When you target the right keywords, you can connect with users who are actively looking to make a purchase, which increases your chances of converting those users into customers.
Understanding Search Intent:
The foundation of e-commerce keyword research lies in understanding search intent, which is the reason behind a user’s search query. There are three main types of search intent that you should consider when selecting keywords for your store.
The first type is informational intent, where users are looking for information rather than a product. An example might be someone searching for “how to choose a good organic honey” or “how to buy a watch online.” These users are still in the research phase and may not be ready to buy yet.
The second type is commercial intent, where users are comparing products before making a purchase decision. An example of this could be “best running shoes for flat feet” or “affordable gym shoes.” These users are considering their options but are not necessarily ready to buy.
Finally, there’s transactional intent, where users are actively looking to make a purchase. For example, someone searching for “buy sonata watch online” or “best leather wallet under Rs. 1000” is likely to convert into a paying customer.
As an e-commerce store, your goal should be to focus on transactional and commercial intent keywords, as these are the ones that are most likely to bring in buyers who are ready to make a purchase.
1: Identify Your E-Commerce Niche and Target Audience
Before diving into keyword research, it’s crucial to understand your niche and your target audience. Knowing who your customers are and what they are searching for will help you choose the right keywords that drive the most relevant traffic to your store.
For example, if you run a fitness-oriented online store, your audience may be searching for terms like “buy organic honey online,” “best protein supplements for weight loss,” or “affordable gym shoes.” By understanding your audience’s preferences, pain points, and search behavior, you can develop a keyword strategy that speaks directly to their needs, ultimately improving your chances of ranking higher on search engines and driving conversions.
2: Perform a Competitor Keyword Analysis
One of the most effective ways to find valuable keywords is to analyze your competitors. This allows you to understand what is working in your niche and uncover new opportunities. Major e-commerce sites like Amazon and Walmart are already doing extensive keyword research, so studying their strategies can provide useful insights.
To identify which keywords your competitors are ranking for, you can use several tools. For example, SEMrush allows you to enter a competitor’s domain and uncover their best organic and paid keywords. Ahrefs is another great tool for identifying keyword gaps and backlink opportunities. Additionally, Google Keyword Planner can help you discover high-volume keywords that your competitors may be targeting.
By analyzing your competition, you can identify which keywords are driving traffic to their stores and uncover gaps in their keyword strategies. For example, if a competitor is ranking for the keyword “affordable gym shoes,” you might find an opportunity to target a more specific keyword like “best budget-friendly sports shoes” to reach a more targeted audience.
3: Use Keyword Research Tools
Keyword research tools are essential for discovering the best keywords that will drive high-quality traffic to your store. These tools help you uncover keywords with high search volume, low competition, and strong buyer intent. For example, when looking for SEO strategies, a keyword like “SEO for service businesses” can be crucial for targeting local clients or service-based industries.
Some of the best keyword research tools for e-commerce include SEMrush, which offers in-depth data on search volume, competition, and keyword trends. Ahrefs is useful for identifying keyword gaps and monitoring your competitors' performance. Ubersuggest provides keyword suggestions based on your target keyword, and it also shows you the search volume and competition level for each keyword. Finally, Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that can help you discover high-volume keywords directly from Google’s search data.
By using these tools, you can identify keywords like SEO for service businesses that will attract qualified traffic to your SEO Agency. These are the keywords that will help increase your visibility and ultimately drive more sales.
4: Focus on Long-Tail and Transactional Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that tend to have lower competition and higher conversion rates than generic keywords. These keywords often reflect a clearer intent to buy, making them a great choice for e-commerce stores.
For example, a generic keyword like “running shoes” is highly competitive and likely to attract a lot of traffic, but it may not lead to many conversions. On the other hand, a long-tail keyword like “best running shoes for flat feet in 2024” is much more specific and less competitive. This makes it easier to rank for and more likely to convert, as users searching for these terms are often further down the sales funnel.
By focusing on long-tail and transactional keywords, you can attract serious buyers who are more likely to make a purchase. These keywords also help you rank faster in search engine results, as they face less competition than more general terms.
5: Prioritize Keywords Based on Search Intent
After gathering a list of potential keywords, you’ll need to prioritize them based on search intent. For an e-commerce store, you should focus on commercial and transactional keywords, as these are the ones that are most likely to lead to sales.
While informational keywords can be useful for content marketing (such as blogs and guides), they generally do not drive immediate conversions. For example, a search for “how to choose the right organic honey” may attract traffic but will not necessarily result in a sale.
On the other hand, commercial keywords such as “best budget-friendly watches” or “top-rated running shoes” indicate that users are comparing products and are likely to buy soon. Transactional keywords, like “buy Nike running shoes online” or “order leather wallet now,” show that users are ready to make a purchase. Focusing on these types of keywords will help you attract users who are most likely to convert into paying customers.
6: Optimize Product and Category Pages with Keywords
Once you’ve identified your target keywords, it’s time to optimize your website to ensure that your keywords are used effectively. For your product pages, make sure your product titles include the primary keywords. For example, instead of just saying “Fastrack Watch,” try using “Men’s Fastrack Watch under $100.” In your meta descriptions, use relevant keywords in a natural way, like “Buy Fastrack Watch Online - Stylish, Affordable, and Durable.”
Additionally, use headers (H1, H2) to organize your content and include your target keywords in them. For instance, instead of simply having a heading like “Product Details,” you could use “Fastrack Watch Features and Benefits.” Finally, ensure that your product descriptions are engaging but also include relevant keywords in a natural, readable way.
By placing keywords strategically throughout your website, you can improve your chances of ranking higher on search engines, which will increase traffic and sales for your store.
Conclusion
Keyword research is a crucial part of any successful e-commerce strategy. By understanding your target audience, analyzing competitors, using the right research tools, and focusing on long-tail and transactional keywords, you can drive more qualified traffic to your online store. For instance, if you're targeting a local market, keywords like "SEO agency in Lucknow" can help you reach potential clients in your area who are looking for specialized services. Prioritizing keywords based on search intent and optimizing your product pages will help you rank higher on search engines and convert more visitors into paying customers. With the right approach, keyword research can be the key to growing your e-commerce business and increasing sales.