How to Do Keyword Research for Local Businesses: Best In- 2024

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How to Do Keyword Research for Local Businesses:

As a local business owner, you know that standing out in your community is crucial. But did you know that the right keywords can make or break your online presence? In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of local keyword research, helping you attract more customers and boost your business. Ready to unlock the power of local SEO? Let’s get started.

Why Local Keyword Research Matters

Picture this: you’re a small bakery nestled in the heart of your town. You make the best cupcakes around, but how do you make sure people find you when they’re craving a sweet treat? That’s where local keyword research comes in.

Local keyword research is like creating a map that leads customers right to your doorstep. It helps you understand what people in your area are searching for and how to connect with them online. Without it, you’re essentially hiding your business under a virtual rock.

But here’s the kicker – local keyword research isn’t just about stuffing your website with location-based terms. It’s about understanding your community, your customers, and the unique way they search for businesses like yours.

Getting Started: The Basics of Local Keyword Research

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s cover some basics. What exactly are local keywords? Simply put, they’re search terms that include a specific location. For example, “bakery in [Your City]” or “best cupcakes near me” are local keywords.

But why are they so important? Well, when someone searches for a local business, they’re usually ready to make a purchase or visit a store. That means local keywords often have higher conversion rates than general terms.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “This sounds complicated!” But don’t worry. With the right approach and tools, you’ll be a local keyword pro in no time.

Step 1: Know Your Business Inside and Out

The first step in local keyword research is understanding your own business. What products or services do you offer? What makes you unique? What problems do you solve for your customers?

Take a moment to jot down your main offerings and any specialties. Are you a bakery that specializes in gluten-free treats? A plumber who offers 24/7 emergency services? These unique selling points will be gold when it comes to choosing your keywords.

Step 2: Put Yourself in Your Customer’s Shoes

Now, let’s think like your customers. If you were looking for a business like yours, what would you type into Google? Would you search for “bakery near me” or something more specific like “vegan cupcakes in [Your City]”?

Make a list of these potential search terms. Don’t worry about getting it perfect – we’ll refine this list later. The goal here is to brainstorm as many relevant terms as possible.

Step 3: Use Keyword Research Tools

Alright, now we’re getting to the good stuff. There are tons of keyword research tools out there, but for local businesses, I recommend starting with these:

Google Keyword Planner: This free tool from Google gives you search volume data and keyword ideas.
Moz Local: Great for finding location-specific keywords and analyzing your competitors.
Ahrefs: While it’s a paid tool, it offers in-depth keyword analysis and competitor research.

Let’s take a closer look at how to use Google Keyword Planner, as it’s free and user-friendly:

Sign in to your Google Ads account (you can create one for free if you don’t have one).
Navigate to the Keyword Planner tool.
Click on “Discover new keywords” and enter your business type and location.
Review the keyword ideas and their search volumes.

Remember, for local businesses, even keywords with lower search volumes can be valuable if they’re highly relevant to your business.

Step 4: Analyze Your Competition

Now, let’s play detective. Who are your main local competitors? What keywords are they targeting? Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can give you insights into your competitors’ keyword strategies.

But don’t just copy what they’re doing. Look for gaps in their strategy. Are there relevant keywords they’re missing? That could be your opportunity to shine.

Step 5: Incorporate Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases. For local businesses, they’re often goldmines. Why? Because they usually have less competition and higher conversion rates.

For example, instead of just targeting “bakery,” you might target “organic gluten-free bakery in [Your City].” Yes, fewer people might search for this term, but those who do are more likely to become customers.

Step 6: Don’t Forget Voice Search

With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, more people are using voice search to find local businesses. Voice searches tend to be more conversational and question-based.

For example, someone might ask, “Where can I get the best cupcakes near me?” or “What’s the closest 24-hour plumber?” Consider incorporating these types of phrases into your keyword strategy.

Step 7: Use Location-Specific Terms

When it comes to local SEO, location is everything. Make sure to include:

– Your city and neighboring cities

– Your neighborhood or district

– Landmarks near your business

– Local nicknames for your area

For example, if you’re a coffee shop in New York’s East Village, you might target keywords like “best coffee East Village” or “café near Tompkins Square Park.”

Step 8: Consider Seasonal and Event-Based Keywords

Does your business have busy seasons or offer special services for local events? Factor these into your keyword research.

A florist might target “Valentine’s Day flowers [City Name],” while a caterer could focus on “wedding catering [City Name]” during peak wedding season.

Step 9: Use Google’s “People Also Ask” and Related Searches

Here’s a pro tip: Google’s “People Also Ask” and related searches sections are goldmines for keyword ideas. They show you what people are actually searching for related to your business.

Try searching for your main keywords and scroll down to see these sections. You might find some keyword gems you hadn’t considered.

Step 10: Implement and Monitor Your Keywords

Once you’ve compiled your list of local keywords, it’s time to put them to work. Incorporate them naturally into your website content, meta descriptions, and even your Google My Business profile.

But remember, keyword research isn’t a one-and-done deal. Keep monitoring your keywords’ performance using tools like Google Analytics. Are they bringing in traffic? Are visitors converting? Be ready to adjust your strategy as needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Local Keyword Research

Now that we’ve covered the steps, let’s talk about some pitfalls to avoid:

Ignoring local intent: Not all keywords with your city name have local intent. “New York cheesecake recipe” probably isn’t targeting someone looking for a local bakery.
Overlooking “near me” searches: Many people use “near me” in their local searches. Don’t forget to optimize for these terms.
Stuffing keywords: Using your keywords too much can actually hurt your SEO. Keep it natural.
Neglecting mobile optimization: Most local searches happen on mobile devices. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
Forgetting to update regularly: Local search trends can change. Regularly review and update your keyword strategy.

Bringing It All Together: A Local Keyword Research Case Study

Let’s put all this into practice with a hypothetical case study. Meet Sarah, owner of “Sarah’s Sweets,” a bakery in Austin, Texas.

Sarah started by listing her main products: cupcakes, wedding cakes, and gluten-free options. She then brainstormed how customers might search for these:

– “Best cupcakes in Austin”

– “Wedding cake bakery near me”

– “Gluten-free bakery Austin”

Using Google Keyword Planner, Sarah discovered that “vegan bakery Austin” had a good search volume and relatively low competition. She hadn’t considered targeting vegan customers before, but realized it could be a great opportunity.

Sarah also noticed that her competitor was ranking for “custom birthday cakes Austin,” a service she offered but hadn’t promoted much. She decided to create a webpage specifically for this service.

Using the “People Also Ask” feature, Sarah found that many people were searching “Where to get kolaches in Austin?” Kolaches, a Czech pastry, are popular in Texas. Sarah decided to add kolaches to her menu and target this keyword.

Finally, Sarah noticed a spike in searches for “graduation cakes Austin” every May and June. She created a seasonal page and ad campaign to target this keyword during those months.

By implementing these strategies, Sarah saw a 150% increase in organic search traffic and a 75% increase in online orders over six months. Not bad for some smart keyword research.

Read More: https://www.ifixmywindows.com/how-to-make-a-classified-ads-website-with-wordpress-best-in-2024/

Disclaimer

While this guide provides strategies for local keyword research, results may vary depending on your specific business, location, and market conditions. Always ensure that your use of keywords complies with search engine guidelines and doesn’t engage in any deceptive practices.

FAQs

How often should I update my local keyword research?
It’s a good idea to review your keyword strategy quarterly, or more frequently if you notice significant changes in your traffic or rankings.

Can I use the same keywords for my website and Google My Business profile?

While there can be overlap, your Google My Business profile should focus more on location-specific keywords and your main services or products.

How many local keywords should I target?

Quality beats quantity. Focus on 5-10 highly relevant keywords to start, and expand from there based on performance.

Is it worth targeting keywords for neighboring cities?

If you serve customers in neighboring cities, then absolutely! Just make sure you’re actually able to serve those areas.

What’s the difference between local SEO and regular SEO?

Local SEO focuses on improving visibility for location-specific searches, while regular SEO aims to improve visibility for broader, non-location specific searches.

Conclusion

Mastering local keyword research is like finding the perfect recipe for your business’s online success. It takes time, patience, and a bit of trial and error, but the results are well worth it. By understanding your business, your customers, and your local market, you can create a keyword strategy that puts you on the map – literally and figuratively.

Humayun Islam