Your keyword strategy is more than just a tool for SEO—it's the key to understanding and guiding your audience through the buyer's journey.
From initial awareness to final conversion, the right keywords at each stage of the marketing funnel can make all the difference in capturing leads, nurturing them, and ultimately converting them into loyal customers.
A well-rounded keyword strategy doesn’t just bring in traffic; it helps build trust, strengthens brand authority, and ensures you're speaking to your audience in a way that meets their needs at every point in their journey.
Whether they're just discovering their problem or ready to make a decision, choosing the right keywords for the right stage is essential for keeping potential customers engaged.
But how do you know which keywords to target at each stage? Well, Alterior Digital will break it down, with a focus on top of the funnel keywords—the keywords that will set the foundation for your entire funnel.
To really connect with your audience and guide them toward making a purchase, you need to understand how they move through the marketing funnel.
Think of the funnel as the path your customers take, from discovering a problem to deciding on a solution (hopefully yours!).
The marketing funnel is typically divided into three core stages:
Each stage requires a specific set of keywords to address the customer's needs. We’ll spend most of this blog talking about top of the funnel keywords and how to use them to attract potential customers.
But don’t worry—we’ll also cover how these keywords evolve as people move down the funnel toward making a purchase.
At the very top of the funnel, your goal is simple: get noticed. People are just beginning their journey. They’re not ready to buy, and they might not even know what they’re looking for yet. This is where top of the funnel keywords come in.
Here’s the kicker; top of the funnel keywords are almost always short-tail, meaning they’re short, sweet, and cast a wide net. It’s not “What’s the best SEO software to buy,” it’s more like “What is SEO?” They’re dipping their toes in the water, not diving in headfirst.
Examples of Top of the Funnel Keywords:
● “What is digital marketing?”
● “How to lose weight”
At this stage, it’s all about planting the seed. You’re not here to push your product—you’re here to be seen and heard. They don’t know they need your product yet—but they’ll remember you when they’re ready.
When you’re optimizing for top of the funnel keywords, remember, you’re not trying to sell anything—yet. Your job is to build brand awareness and establish yourself as an authority in your space.
The best way to do this is by creating high-quality, educational content that answers questions, solves problems, and builds trust. Here’s how to do it:
At this stage, your audience wants information, not a sales pitch. You’re not selling here—you’re teaching. Write blog posts, create how-to guides, or publish explainer videos that answer common questions and provide value. Be the cool professor everyone loves.
Because these keywords are broad and have high search volumes, they’re highly competitive. But they’re also necessary to cast a wide net and pull in traffic.
Focus on keywords that are broad enough to attract interest, but specific enough to your niche. Use tools like Ahrefs or Google’s Keyword Planner to find those broad terms and start ranking for them.
Learn more about
SEO Keyword Strategy
If your content’s a snooze fest, no one’s coming back. Use eye-catching titles, engaging images, and compelling introductions to make sure your content stands out.
Once you’ve attracted visitors with top of the funnel keywords, you’ll have the chance to guide them further down the funnel. No one wants to read another fluffy listicle that doesn’t get to the point.
Ok, so you’ve gotten someone’s attention with top of the funnel keywords, it’s time to start building a relationship with them.
People in the middle of the funnel know they have a problem, and they’re evaluating solutions. They’ve done a little homework, they’re considering their options, and they’re starting to think, “Okay, which one’s for me?” Now, it’s your job to prove why your product or service is the best choice.
The keywords you’ll target at this stage are more specific than top of the funnel keywords. They’re longer and more focused, reflecting the fact that the user has moved from general research to a deeper interest in specific products or services.
Your audience isn’t just looking for “what is SEO?” anymore. They want details: “best SEO tools for small businesses” or “WordPress vs Wix” They’re sizing things up, and it’s your job to make sure they pick you.
Middle of the funnel keywords are often 3-4 words long and include comparison-based, feature-specific terms.
Examples of Middle of the Funnel Keywords:
At this stage, our content needs to do more than just inform—it needs to persuasive. Create content that’s packed with value, and show your audience why your product or service should be the one they choose.
Middle of the funnel users are prime for nurturing. They’ve shown interest but haven’t yet committed.
This is where you offer deeper content to build trust, show value, and establish your product or service as the best choice. Here’s how:
Your audience is in research mode. Help them decide by creating side-by-side product comparisons, case studies, and detailed reviews that show why you’re the top dog.
You’re targeting users who are ready to make a decision, so go deep with your keywords. While these don’t have the massive search volume of top of the funnel keywords, they bring in more qualified traffic.
Use retargeting ads to remind users of your content. Flex your knowledge and make it clear why you’re the best choice. You’ve already piqued their interest—now it’s time to keep your brand top-of-mind with tailored messaging.
At the bottom of the funnel, your audience is ready to buy. This is where the real fun happens. Your audience isn’t messing around anymore.
They’ve done their research, they’re ready to buy, and they’re looking for that final nudge to click “Buy Now.” This is where bottom of the funnel keywords come in.
These keywords are long-tail and transactional. They’re highly specific, often involving product names, pricing, and terms like “buy,” “pricing,” or “best deals.”
Users at this stage are at the point of conversion—they’re ready to make a purchase, and they’re using highly focused search terms to find exactly what they need. This isn’t the time for small talk—it’s time to close.
Examples of Bottom of the Funnel Keywords:
Your job at this stage is simple…you need to guide your users toward the finish line. Here’s where you roll out the red carpet.
Make it as easy as possible for them to convert by providing clear calls to action, detailed product pages, and compelling offers. No hurdles, no distractions—just a clear path to the finish line.
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Users at this stage have already made up their minds—they just need a final push. Your job is to make the conversion process smooth and irresistible. Here’s how to dominate bottom of the funnel keywords:
It’s time to stop beating around the bush. Target highly specific, long-tail keywords that reflect purchase intent. These keywords might have lower search volume, but the users searching for them are ready to buy. Words like “buy,” “pricing,” or “best price” should be on your radar.
Make it easy for users to take the next step. Whether it’s “Buy now,” “Request a quote,” or “Get started,” your call-to-action should be straightforward and easy to follow. Make it as easy as possible for them to take the plunge.
People want to know they’re making the right choice. Testimonials, reviews, and case studies are powerful tools at this stage. Show your audience that others have already made the decision—and they’re happy with it.
Let’s be real—focusing all your energy on top of the funnel keywords is like eating only the bread and skipping the sandwich filling.
Sure, you’ll get traffic, but without the middle of the funnel and bottom of the funnel strategy to follow up, that traffic won’t turn into sales.
It’s the same as trying to build a house with only a foundation—looks good, but there’s nowhere to live.
Here’s why balance matters:
A successful SEO strategy requires more than just focusing on one part of the funnel. To truly drive awareness, consideration, and conversion, you need to think holistically and ensure that your keyword strategy reflects the entire customer journey.
You’ve got to start at the top, using keywords to pull people in, move to the middle of the funnel keywords to nurture leads like a pro, and finish with bottom of the funnel keywords that lock in conversions. It’s like playing the perfect game of chess, except instead of winning a trophy, you’re winning customers. And guess what? Alterior Digital can do all of this for you.
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