How to Forecast Sales based on Search Volume?
Using data on multiple variables, including keyword search volume, conversion rates, and average transaction values, it is possible to predict the potential revenue from search volume. Here is a method that will guide you through making such predictions:
Keyword Research:
- Start by conducting thorough keyword research. Identify high-value keywords related to your products or services that have significant search volume.
- Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest can help with this.
Estimate Click-Through Rate (CTR):
- You need to estimate the click-through rate for the keywords you’ve identified.
- CTR can vary depending on factors like your search ranking, the quality of your meta description, and the competition.
- Tools like Google Search Console can provide insights into your actual CTR for existing keywords.
Traffic Forecast:
- Use the keyword search volume and estimated CTR to calculate the potential organic traffic you can expect for each keyword.
- Multiply the search volume by the estimated CTR (as a decimal) to get the traffic forecast.
Traffic Forecast = Search Volume * CTR
Conversion Rate:
- Determine your website’s conversion rate for organic traffic.
- This involves understanding the percentage of visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase, filling out a contact form, or subscribing to a newsletter.
Average Transaction Value (ATV):
- Determine the average value of a transaction or sale on your website.
- If you have multiple products or services, calculate an average across all offerings.
Revenue Forecast:
- To predict revenue, multiply the forecasted organic traffic by the conversion rate and average transaction value.
- This will give you an estimate of the revenue potential for each keyword.
Revenue Forecast = Traffic Forecast * Conversion Rate * ATV
Keyword Difficulty and Competition:
- Consider the keyword difficulty and competition level.
- High-competition keywords may be harder to rank for, which can impact your ability to capture the predicted search volume.
Seasonality and Trends:
- Take into account seasonality and trends in your industry or niche.
- Some keywords may have varying search volumes throughout the year.
Content and User Experience:
- Ensure that your website provides a great user experience and that your content aligns with the search intent of users.
- This can impact your ability to convert traffic into revenue.
Monitor and Adjust:
- Keep in mind that these predictions are estimates and may not be entirely accurate.
- Continuously monitor your actual performance and adjust your strategy as needed.
- If a keyword is underperforming, consider optimizing your content or promotional efforts.
A/B Testing:
- Conduct A/B testing to optimize landing pages, calls to action, and conversion points to improve your conversion rate.
Competitor Analysis:
- Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing.
- If they are ranking for the same keywords, it can affect your CTR and, consequently, your revenue.
Note: Remember that predicting revenue from search volume is not an exact science. There are various variables and uncertainties involved, and actual results may differ from your forecasts. It’s important to use these predictions as a guideline and be prepared to adapt your SEO and marketing strategies based on real-world performance data.
SEO Forecasting | Definition, Importance, Tools and Advantages
SEO forecasting, also known as SEO predictions, is an analysis of how the web search engine will change at a specific point in time, usually in the future. Based on different features, historical data, and conditions, it is possible to predict where the website will be on search engine results pages (SERPs) and how organically it may want to drive. SEO forecasts are useful for businesses and website owners because they help plan and allocate resources to increase their online visibility and traffic.
Important Topics for SEO Forecasting
- What is SEO Forecasting?
- Why is SEO Forecasting important?
- How to Forecast Sales based on Search Volume?
- Tools required for SEO Forecasting
- Cons of SEO Forecasting
- Conclusion