SEO Keywords for Barbershops

How to Choose the Best Barbershop Keywords for Your Business

Before adding every haircut or grooming-related phrase to your website, take a step back and ask yourself a key question:

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On-Page SEO for Barbershops

Make your website simple for Google to understand while making it impossible for potential clients to ignore.

On-page SEO is about optimizing your barbershop’s website so it ranks higher in search results while also providing a smooth and professional experience for visitors. When your site loads quickly, communicates clearly, and uses the right keywords, search engines are more likely to recommend it to people looking for a haircut or grooming service.

Where to Use SEO Keywords for Maximum Impact

To get the most from your SEO keywords, place them strategically in areas that matter most to both users and search engines:

• Page Titles: Use location-focused phrases such as Barbershop in [City] | [Your Shop Name]

• Meta Descriptions: Write short, engaging descriptions with strong keywords, like Looking for the best barbershop in [City]? Book your cut today.

• Headings (H1, H2): Use natural, keyword-rich headlines such as Men’s Haircuts in [City] or Trusted Local Barbershop

• Body Content: Work keywords into your text naturally, avoiding keyword stuffing while staying clear and consistent

• URLs: Create clean, keyword-friendly URLs like /mens-haircut-[city]

Create Dedicated Pages for Each Service

Rather than listing all services on one page, create separate pages for each. This improves user experience, helps with SEO, and increases the chance of ranking for specific searches.

Examples include:

• Men’s Haircuts

• Beard Trimming

• Hot Towel Shaves

• Kids Haircuts

• Grooming Packages

Each page should focus on one service, include location-based keywords when appropriate, and have clear calls to action like Book an Appointment or Call Today.

Add Schema Markup

Schema markup helps Google better understand your business, including services, hours, and location. Adding Local Business Schema can improve your search appearance and visibility in local results.

Be sure to include:

• Business name

• Address and service area

• Hours of operation

• Service types (e.g., men’s haircut, beard trim, kids cut)

Optimize Images for SEO

Photos are crucial for showing off your work and building trust. They also help your SEO if optimized correctly.

Make sure every image:

• Is compressed for fast loading

• Has a descriptive filename (e.g., mens-haircut-brooklyn.jpg)

• Includes alt text with keywords (e.g., Fade haircut at barbershop in Brooklyn, NY)

This not only improves rankings but also increases the chance of appearing in Google Image searches, giving your barbershop even more visibility.

Off-Page SEO for Barbershops

Build trust, expand your visibility, and strengthen your barbershop’s reputation online.

Off-page SEO refers to the strategies you use outside of your website to improve rankings and credibility. The more well-regarded sites that link to your barbershop and the more your business is mentioned across the web, the more confident Google becomes in recommending you to potential clients.

Ways to Strengthen Your Off-Page SEO

Earn High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks act as referrals from other websites. When respected sources link to your barbershop, it signals trust and authority to search engines.

• Submit your barbershop to directories such as Yelp, BBB, Yellow Pages, and local Chamber of Commerce listings.

• Reach out to local lifestyle or grooming blogs and offer to contribute tips or insights about men’s hair trends.

• Get listed on niche platforms such as grooming forums or city-specific style guides.

Promote Content on Social Media

Social platforms are powerful for sharing your work, driving traffic, and encouraging engagement.

• Post photos of haircuts, beard trims, or before and after transformations.

• Share grooming tips, seasonal hairstyle trends, or limited-time promotions.

• Use local hashtags such as #NYCBarber or #ChicagoFade to reach nearby clients.

• Engage with your followers by answering questions, highlighting customer stories, and encouraging referrals.

Connect with the Local Community Online

Building digital connections within your community can lead to valuable referrals and backlinks.

• Sponsor local events or charity fundraisers and ask for a link on the event’s website.

• Join neighborhood associations or business networks that provide online directories.

• Partner with gyms, clothing stores, or men’s lifestyle brands and request inclusion on their vendor or partner pages.

Ask for Mentions from Happy Clients and Partners

If you work with influencers, stylists, or local businesses, ask them to mention or link to your shop on their platforms. Positive references from trusted voices not only spread awareness but also create strong backlinks.

Track and Maintain Your Backlink Profile

Monitoring your backlink health is key. High-quality links build authority, while spammy links can harm rankings.

• Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to track new and lost backlinks.

• Disavow poor-quality or irrelevant links through Google Search Console to keep your site’s reputation strong.