You know what’s fun? Trying to guess what your customers are searching for online. Spoiler alert: it’s not fun at all! That’s why we have keyword research, the secret sauce to getting SaaS companies in front of the right people at the right time.
When it comes to SaaS, having a solid keyword strategy is like having a map for buried treasure—except the treasure is organic traffic, and the map is full of search terms your audience is actually looking for. Without it, you’re pretty much wandering around in circles, hoping someone stumbles upon your site.
With the right keyword research, you’re not just playing the SEO game—you’re playing it smart. You’ll capture demand when your audience is ready to buy, boost your visibility when they’re just browsing, and drive conversions like a pro.
Seed Keywords: Your Starting Point
What Are Seed Keywords?
Seed keywords are the foundation of your keyword strategy. They’re the basic search terms that describe your SaaS product’s core features. For example, if your product is an email automation tool, a seed keyword could be “email automation.” These keywords guide your research and help you build out more specific keyword ideas.
How to Identify Seed Keywords
Start by brainstorming what your SaaS product does at its core. Then, check in with your customers, analyze your competitors, and review your product features.
To dig deeper, use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to see which keywords have the most potential. These tools can help you identify which search terms are popular and worth targeting.
Expanding Your Keyword Research with Long-Tail Keywords
What Are Long-Tail Keywords?
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases that target niche audiences. While they may not generate as much traffic as broader terms, they play a vital role in SaaS keyword targeting.
These keywords attract users who know exactly what they’re looking for (e.g., “best email automation tool for small businesses”). Since these users are searching with clear intent, they are more likely to convert, making long-tail keywords invaluable for driving high-quality traffic in SaaS.
How to Generate Long-Tail Keywords
To build out your list of long-tail keywords, start with tools like Google Autocomplete and Answer the Public. These give you real-world examples of what people are searching for. For more advanced ideas, use SEMrush or Ahrefs to find related keywords and questions.
Start with your seed keywords and expand from there. Look for specific variations that match your SaaS product’s features or user needs.
Keyword Clustering and Topic Groups
What Are Keyword Clusters?
Keyword clusters are groups of related keywords that revolve around a main topic (pillar page) and connect to subtopics (supporting pages). For SaaS, this means creating a central page for a product feature (e.g., “email automation”) and linking it to more specific content, like guides or use cases.
How to Create Effective Keyword Clusters
Start by grouping keywords that share the same search intent or are closely related. Organize them around your main topic (pillar page) and break them into subtopics that dive deeper into specific aspects. For example, your pillar page might be “email automation,” with subpages like “best practices,” “workflow automation,” and “examples of email automation.”
Competitor Keyword Research and Ongoing Optimization
How to Analyze Competitor Keywords
To stay ahead in the SaaS game, it’s important to know what your competitors are up to. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz can give you a behind-the-scenes look at the SaaS keyword research your competitors are using.
By analyzing their keyword strategies, you’ll understand their strengths and weaknesses, helping you shape your own approach. This process, known as keyword gap analysis, highlights where they’re performing well and where there’s room for you to outperform them.
Tracking Performance and Adjusting Keywords
It’s not enough to just find the right keywords—you need to keep an eye on how they perform over time. Using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and SEMrush, you can track how well your keywords are ranking. Keep an eye on shifts in search behavior and competitor trends, and be ready to adjust your SaaS keyword strategy to stay competitive.
Identifying Keyword Gaps
Keyword gaps are hidden opportunities—keywords that your competitors rank for, but you don’t. By identifying these gaps, you can tap into untapped search traffic and expand your visibility. Analyze these gaps regularly to find new ways to optimize your content and keyword targeting.
Using User-Centric Tools for Keyword Research
Utilizing Google Search Console
Google Search Console is your go-to tool for tracking what’s already working. It shows which SaaS keyword research terms are bringing traffic to your site and reveals new keyword opportunities. By regularly checking your data, you can refine your targeting and focus on keywords that can boost your visibility.
Using Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz for SaaS-Specific Keyword Research
Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz are packed with features designed to find high-potential keywords in the SaaS space. They help uncover keyword trends, show search volumes, and reveal your competitors’ ranking keywords. With these tools, you can build a targeted SaaS keyword strategy and focus on keywords that can drive conversions.
Targeting Keywords with Commercial and Transactional Intent
Why Commercial and Transactional Keywords Matter in SaaS
When it comes to SaaS, commercial and transactional keywords are vital for success. These high-intent keywords target users who are close to making a decision. They’re at the bottom of the funnel, ready to take action—whether it’s signing up for a demo or making a purchase. Focusing on these terms can significantly boost your conversion rates.
How to Identify High-Intent Keywords
To find high-intent keywords, start by filtering based on user intent. Look for phrases that indicate buying signals, such as “best” or “buy.” For instance, rather than simply targeting “CRM software,” aim for keywords like “best CRM software for startups.”
Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs can assist you in identifying these keywords, ensuring your SaaS keyword targeting is effective in capturing bottom-of-the-funnel leads.
Ongoing Keyword Optimization and Tracking
Why Keyword Research Isn’t a One-Time Task
Keyword research is not a “set it and forget it” deal. Trends change, competitors adapt, and your audience’s search behavior shifts. That’s why updating your SaaS keyword strategy is key to staying relevant. Regularly revisiting your keywords helps ensure you’re still targeting the right terms as the market evolves.
Tracking Performance and Adjusting Keywords
To keep your keyword strategy sharp, use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Search Console to monitor keyword rankings and performance. These tools help you see what’s working and what needs tweaking. As search behavior shifts, adjust your keyword focus accordingly—whether it’s targeting new opportunities or refining existing content to capture more traffic.
Advanced Tactics: Using Semantic Keywords and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing)
What Are Semantic Keywords?
Semantic keywords are words and phrases related to your primary keyword. They help search engines understand the context of your content, improving its relevance in search results.
Instead of just focusing on exact-match keywords, semantic search looks at the overall meaning, which means your content can rank for a wider range of search terms. Integrating semantic keywords into your SaaS keyword research can enhance your chances of attracting more relevant traffic by aligning your content with user intent across multiple queries.
How to Incorporate Semantic Keywords in SaaS
To increase visibility in search results, identify related terms and variations of your main SaaS keywords. For example, if your primary keyword is “project management software,” related terms might include “team collaboration tools” or “workflow automation.” Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can help you find these semantic keywords, which will make your content more comprehensive and increase its chances of ranking higher.
Conclusion
Keyword research might not sound exciting, but for SaaS businesses, it’s the key to getting found by the right people at the right time. From defining your seed keywords to uncovering hidden opportunities through competitor research, each tactic plays a role in driving growth. Put all these pieces together, and you’ve got a strong keyword strategy that can bring in more traffic, leads, and conversions.
If all of this still feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re just getting started or need help fine-tuning your strategy, we’re here for you. Reach out to Bounty Hunter Agency, and we’ll help you take your SaaS keyword research to the next level.
