If you’ve been hanging out in the SEO scene for a bit, you’ve probably heard about the 3 types of search queries: navigational, transactional, and informational.
These concepts have been buzzing around for ages, with blogs galore dissecting them.
Now, the burning question is, are these search types still the cool kids on the SEO block in 2023? And how the heck do you go about capturing their attention?
Let’s keep reading to know more about it.
Types of Search Queries and How to Target Them
A: Navigational Search Queries
Alright, so imagine you’re in a hurry to check out the latest deals at Target.
Instead of typing the web address, you just toss “Target” into the search bar. That’s what we call a navigational search. It’s like a shortcut to your favorite websites.
We like to call it the “Go” search because you’re basically saying, “Take me straight to Target’s site!” That sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it?
I. How to Target Them?
You can’t really aim for navigational searches. They’re the ones where people are just looking for a specific website. If it’s not yours, it’s tricky to show up in those results and get people to check out your business instead. So, it’s kind of a hands-tied situation there.
II. How to Optimize Your Website for Navigational Queries?
To boost your online presence for those searches that lead folks straight to your business, start by typing your company’s name into a search engine.
If your business pops up right at the top, great job!
But if it’s not taking the spotlight, let’s tweak things. Make sure your website spills the beans on crucial info like your brand name, what you do, the goodies you offer, and where you’re located.
Think of it like giving Google a VIP pass to your business details.
The more it knows, the better your chances of snagging the top spot in those must-click searches. And hey, you can also flex your muscle with pay-per-click (PPC) ads.
These little champs guarantee you’ll be front and center when someone hits that search button for your brand. Easy peasy!
B: Transactional Search Queries
When people are ready to buy something, they use transactional search queries. These are the “Do” searches, where they want to act, like purchasing. There are a few types:
Brand-focused searches: This is when they look for specific brands, like searching for “Nike shoes.”
Generic searches: Even if they just type “running shoes,” they still want to buy, so it’s transactional.
Vertical searches: These are industry-specific, like searching for “Italian restaurants.” It means they’re ready to make a transaction in that industry.
People doing these searches are usually close to buying, and many of them make a purchase right after searching. That’s why these searches on Google are super important for businesses.
I. How Can You Target Them?
If someone is looking for something specific, like what you’re selling, you can make sure your business shows up when they search for it.
It’s a great way to connect with people who are already interested in what you offer!
II. How to Optimize Your Website for Transactional Queries?
To pop up in searches where people are ready to buy, make sure your product or service pages are top-notch. Here’s the lowdown:
Sprinkle relevant keywords smartly in your title, content, and image descriptions.
Beef up your listings with useful details. Whether it’s the color, size, material, or nifty features, spill the beans.
Throw in some calls to action. Get people clicking and watch those conversions soar.
Ace the game by crafting killer product and service pages. When your info’s spot-on, shoppers can pick what suits them best, turning them into happy customers.
C: Informational Search Queries
When you’re doing an informational search, you’re basically asking a question to find out more about something. It’s like the “Know” type of search because you want to gather useful info.
How Do You Target Them?
Everyone’s Googling for a lot of information, right? So, it’s a big deal to be the go-to when they type away. Your rivals are on it, so you got to be too! Easy as that.
How to Optimize Your Website for It?
If you want your website to pop up when people are looking for info, the key is rocking some awesome content. Think blogs, videos, guides, eBooks and cool infographics. Mix it up based on what your peeps like.
To ace those searches, focus on topics that matter to your crowd. Toss in longer keywords (the ones with three or more words) to hit the sweet spot in searches that aren’t crazy competitive.
Give the lowdown on your topic. Be the Sherlock Holmes of information, but don’t go all salesy unless the search vibes say otherwise.
When you drop knowledge bombs, you become the go-to expert. People start trusting your brand and see you as the real deal. It’s a win-win!
