How To Find Local SEO Keywords
88% of searches for local businesses on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours. To appear in these key search results your website needs to incorporate local SEO keywords into your search engine optimization strategy. But the question is how do you find local SEO keywords? Here at MarketKeep, the digital marketing agency for small businesses, we have outlined 3 easy steps to help your business find local SEO keywords that are relevant to your target audience and easy to rank for.
How to Find Local SEO Keywords:
To find the right keywords for local searches you need to start by conducting some local SEO keyword research. Easy enough right? Keyword research means finding the search terms your audience uses to find businesses like yours.
Keyword research tools like the Google Keyword Planner are a great way to start. This free tool helps you to find the right and relevant keywords for your business. You can search for not only terms but their popularity based on zip codes, cities, counties, and states.
From this list, you can start to collect the most popular local keywords for your search engine optimization strategy. So for instance if you own a bakery business in Baltimore, Maryland you will want to start with search phrases like the following:
- Bakeries in Baltimore
- Bakeries near Baltimore, MD
- Best bakeries in Baltimore MD
All of this research will help you to find local SEO keywords that are geographically tailored to your target audience and more importantly your geographical location.
How to pick the best local keywords and how to rank for them
Once you have performed some local research you now need to pick the right keywords for your business. When conducting SEO keyword research you will want to evaluate them based on 3 things
1. Your Location
The first and most important step to finding the right keywords is to specify your location. Tailor your research to the keywords that are most often used near or around your business. This is essential because it helps you to connect with target customers searching in those locations.
2. Focus on industry-related keywords
The next item to keep in mind is that you need to focus on industry-related keywords. Some websites get caught up in trying to rank for keywords or search terms that aren’t relevant to their business. Don’t do that!
Ranking for the wrong type of keywords can lead to a higher bounce rate on your website. A high bounce rate is a key performing signal that Google uses to make sure they are sending people to the absolute best websites. So if your website has a high bounce rate your website will appear lower in search results. And lower search results means lower website traffic.
3. Use Keyword Modifiers
As you begin to select the right keywords for your business, you will want to make sure that you include keyword modifiers to some of your search terms. Keyword modifiers help to add more to your core keywords and expand your reach. The end result? More relevant traffic and leads to your website. Here are 4 different types of modifier:
- Quality: Quality modifiers speak to the quality of your business. So try to include quality modifiers like “best” or “top” to your local SEO keywords
- Occasion: Occasion modifies help to specify a specific event or point in time. So for instance think of terms like “fall”, “winter” or “best of 2021”
- Type: The type of keyword modifier helps to establish your niche. So if you running a bakery and want to focus more on wedding cakes your local SEO keyword would look something like this: “best wedding cake bakery in Baltimore”
- Special Offering: These keywords can include offerings that help to draw in interest. So for instance something like “20% off wedding cakes in Baltimore”
All of these keyword modifier tricks help you to connect with local customers who are conducting specific buying search terms
Ready to Drive Traffic? Going Beyond Local SEO Keywords
Finding the right local SEO keywords is just half the battle. You still have to implement them into your overall digital marketing strategy. Here are two local digital marketing strategies that you use to help implement your local SEO Keywords and increase your website traffic.
1. Claim Your Google My Business Profile
When people search for something local online, it generally triggers the local listings map too. That means your business can be featured in front of your target customers with quick links to your phone number and website.
So make sure to claim your Google My Business listing. Once you do that, make sure to do the following steps.
- Verify your Business by adding your business name, phone number, and business hours
- Add a short blurb about your business and what you offer
- Add photos to your listing.
2. Run a Pay Per Click Ads Campaign
Pay Per Click or Google Adwords Campaigns are a great way to attract local customers. Once you have selected your local AdWords keywords you can start to reach people who are searching in or for specific locations that your business serves.
Ready To Boost Your SEO Strategy?
If you are a small business searching for affordable SEO packages that work, contact MarketKeep! As the digital marketing agency for small businesses, we help you to plan, place, and optimize your SEO Campaigns. Contact us today to schedule your free SEO consultation with us.