When it comes to SEO and digital marketing, keywords and search intent hold a central role in bringing the right kind of people to your content and directing them to where you want them to be going next more easily.
One of these types of keywords you may have heard of are transactional keywords, and they can significantly impact your site’s performance and conversion rates.
Below I will explain what these magic words are along with some examples, show how you can leverage them in your content, and identify the other types of keywords there are.
What are Transactional Keywords?
Transactional keywords, also referred to as “buying keywords,” are search terms users type into search engines with a clear intent to make a purchase or transaction. When users employ these keywords, they are generally at the last stage of the buying process – evaluation and purchase.
Transactional keywords often include words like “buy,” “price,” “discount,” “deal,” “coupon,” or “delivery.” They are designed to bring potential customers who are ready to make a purchase directly to the point of sale.
How Do You Identify Transactional Keywords?
It’s important that you understand transactional keywords to drive conversions and ultimately make money from blogging.
Here are some key steps you can take to identify these valuable search terms:
1. Understand your target audience: The first step in identifying transactional keywords is understanding who your audience is and what they are looking for. The more specific you can get about your audience’s needs, desires, and behaviors, the more effective your keyword strategy will be.
2. Use keyword research tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz can help you discover keywords relevant to your niche. They provide comprehensive data like search volume, competition level, and more.
3. Look for transactional language: Terms such as “buy,” “price,” “order,” “discount,” “deal,” “coupon,” “shipping,” etc. indicate the intent to make a purchase. Keep an eye out for these key words.
4. Analyze competitors: Review the keywords your competitors rank for and consider if these could be viable transactional keywords for your business.
Transactional Keyword Examples
To provide a clearer understanding, here are a few examples of transactional keywords:
- “Buy winter boots online”
- “iPhone 12 best price”
- “Discounted organic dog food”
- “Fast shipping summer dresses”
- “Order gluten-free pizza near me”
These examples clearly show that the user is not just seeking information or exploring options but is ready to make a purchase.
Transactional Keywords vs. Other Types of Keywords
In addition to transactional, there are three other primary types of keywords you should be aware of: informational, navigational, and commercial.
- Informational Keywords: These are used when searchers are looking for answers or to learn something. They typically start with “how to,” “what is,” or “ways to.” For example, “how to bake a chocolate cake” or “what is digital marketing.” Ehko over at Ehkoing You has a great blog post that goes further into informational keywords.
- Navigational Keywords: These keywords are used when users want to locate a specific website or page. Examples include “Facebook login” or “OpenAI blog.” The website: Visitoranalytics.io has some good information on navigational keywords that you can check out if you’d like to learn more.
- Commercial Keywords: These keywords reflect the searcher’s intent to compare products or services before making a final purchase decision. Examples might include “best digital cameras 2023” or “iPhone vs. Samsung comparison.” There is a good post on commercial keywords over at Copypress that you can read if you’d like to learn more on commercial keywords.
Understanding the difference between these keyword types can help you tailor your SEO and content strategy to match the different stages of the buyer’s journey.
While transactional keywords target users ready to make a purchase, informational and navigational keywords target users at the awareness and consideration stages.
Commercial keywords target users who are at the decision-making stage, evaluating different options before proceeding to the transaction.
In Conclusion
Harnessing the power of transactional keywords in your niche can drive conversions and significantly impact your bottom line.
Identifying these keywords requires a good understanding of your audience and takes practice to learn well. Like many things, it becomes easier with time, and when you fully understand it, will make a big difference in your marketing efforts.
Hi there! I’m Carmine, the chief editor and friendly face behind Earnings Engineer. With nine years of experience marketing and making money online, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and empowering others to achieve financial freedom. As we explore new opportunities together, let’s build our dream lives—one smart move at a time!
