While building product terminology may seem universal to those within the industry, consumers may well have a different perspective. A new piece of research highlighting discrepancies in search terms reveals why language matters.
Concertina, sliding, folding track, accordion and zig zag: these are all terms used by the public to search for what’s commonly known by the trade as bi-fold doors, according to new findings.
Almost two-thirds of people searching online for this type of door are unaware of its true name, a survey has revealed. This leads to more than 34,000 fruitless searches for the product every month for users who are typing in the alternative terms, which means missed traffic and potential sales for those sellers whose websites fail to use them.
The online survey, by UK doors and windows manufacturer Origin, invited 500 consumers to look at a picture of a bi-fold door and state what type of door they thought it was (see below infographic). Just 36% used the term ‘bi-fold’, while 19% opted for ‘folding track’, 14% each referred to ‘concertina’ and ‘zig zag’, while 8% said it was an ‘accordion’ door.
The research exposes the need for companies to understand the language used to describe their products or services in order to capture their target markets more effectively online, explains Jon Colegate, director of search at Ignition Search, an internet marketing company and Google Partner.
‘This is really a matter of choosing the correct keywords to describe your product,’ he says. ‘The keywords and phrases that are present on your site allow people using a search engine like Google to find your company’s website and products.
‘Despite Google’s recent progress in “semantic” searches, it is still crucial for companies to “speak the same language” as those trawling the internet, so potential customers can find you as quickly and easily as possible.’
As a manufacturer, Origin has learned from its research just how important keyword research is. Chief executive officer and founder Neil Ginger says: ‘It’s clear that there is a lot of scope for companies selling the doors direct to the public to include these other words in their online marketing collateral.’
By following a few simple steps (see the short guide below), you can find out which terms your potential customers are searching for and use this information to improve not only traffic, but the right kind of traffic to your company’s website – the figures will speak for themselves.
Wood wool acoustic panelling with a black finish from Troldtekt has been specified throughout 6 Embassy Gardens at Nine Elms in London
Posted in Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Control, Articles, Ceilings, PostsTwo lifts, designed and manufactured in the UK by Stannah now take pride of place as part of London’s Elizabeth Tower restoration project
Posted in Articles, Lifts, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & RenovationAluminium windows, doors and curtain wall solutions manufacturer, Senior Architectural Systems has appointed Mark Rossouw to the newly created role of major projects manager
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Doors, Posts, Recruitment, WindowsKingfisher Louvres has made four of its most popular screening and single bank weather louvres available to specify via the NBS Source platform
Posted in Air Conditioning, Articles, Facades, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC, Posts, Ventilation