Master SEO Growth Predictions with BrightEdge's Opportunity Forecasting
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Importance of Forecasting SEO Growth
- Using Bright Edge for Forecasting
- Setting Up Your Forecast Model
- Selecting Keyword Groups
- Customizing Rank Strategies
- Accounting for Search Volume Changes
- Adjusting for Potential Decreases in Search Volume
- Analyzing Market Opportunity
- Understanding Traffic and Potential Increase
- Applying the Forecasting Model
- Final Thoughts
- Resources
Introduction
Welcome to this article on estimating and forecasting SEO growth. Many clients often ask us if we can help them predict their SEO performance. In this article, we will explore the importance of forecasting SEO growth and show you how MKG Marketing uses Bright Edge to assist in this process.
The Importance of Forecasting SEO Growth
Before we delve into the details of forecasting, let's understand why it is crucial for businesses. Clients often require estimates or forecasts to justify their SEO budget. They need to know if they are investing enough in SEO or if they need to allocate more resources. Additionally, sales numbers and forecasts heavily rely on the number of leads generated. Therefore, forecasting SEO growth helps businesses evaluate their lead generation potential and make informed decisions.
Using Bright Edge for Forecasting
For forecasting SEO performance, MKG Marketing relies on Bright Edge, a powerful tool that brings together various keyword groups to contribute to the overall forecast. To get started, sign in to Bright Edge and navigate to the opportunity forecasting section.
Setting Up Your Forecast Model
To ensure accurate forecasting, the first step is to set your forecast model to "traffic." This setting allows you to estimate the number of visits that can potentially convert into web conversions, leads, and sales. Once you've selected the traffic option, proceed to choose a keyword group.
Selecting Keyword Groups
Bright Edge organizes keywords into groups, and each group contributes to the forecast. Select the relevant keyword group, and you will find valuable insights about the market opportunity. For example, MKG Marketing ran a forecast for the "awareness" keyword group on September 6th.
Customizing Rank Strategies
In addition to using Bright Edge's predetermined rank strategies, MKG Marketing recommends creating custom rank strategies for more accurate forecasting. Average blended rank by keyword difficulty is a vital factor to consider. For high difficulty keywords, an average blended rank of 10 is recommended, while medium difficulty keywords should aim for five. For low difficulty keywords, strive for a first-page ranking by aiming for position one.
Accounting for Search Volume Changes
Search volume is not a static metric, and it's important to account for any changes. Bright Edge allows you to adjust for search volume fluctuations. By utilizing Google Trends and analyzing the core keywords within your keyword group, you can determine the level of interest over time.
Adjusting for Potential Decreases in Search Volume
Based on the trends observed through Google Trends, you can anticipate potential decreases in search volume. For example, if the interest level for a core keyword showed a 45% decrease in the past year, you can input this percentage in Bright Edge's forecasting tool.
Analyzing Market Opportunity
Forecasting helps you understand the market opportunity for your selected keyword group. By comparing the current traffic to the potential increase in visits per month, you can gauge the growth potential.
Understanding Traffic and Potential Increase
With the forecasting model in place, you can see the current traffic and estimate the potential increase in visits per month. This information is invaluable in determining the impact SEO efforts can have on your website's performance.
Applying the Forecasting Model
It's important to note that the forecasting tool within Bright Edge does not guarantee specific outcomes. It serves as a model to provide a better understanding of how your website's performance may improve or decline with SEO optimization. Do not make promises or guarantees based solely on the forecast results.
Final Thoughts
Forecasting SEO growth is a valuable practice for businesses to evaluate their marketing strategies and budget allocation. With tools like Bright Edge, marketers can have a clearer picture of their website's potential performance. Remember that forecasting is a helpful guide but not an absolute guarantee. Continuously monitor and adapt your SEO efforts based on actual results.
Resources
