What Are Tips for Doing Local Keyword Research?
To help you excel in local keyword research, we’ve gathered eight insightful tips from CEOs, Founders, and Content Managers. From leveraging Google’s Keyword Planner to embracing localized long-tail keywords, this article provides a comprehensive guide to mastering local SEO.
- Leverage Google’s Keyword Planner
- Utilize “Near Me” or Zip Code Tags
- Employ Keyword Modifiers
- Understand Search Intent
- Use Google’s Autocomplete Feature
- List Services and Use Research Tools
- Identify Your Target Market
- Embrace Localized Long-Tail Keywords
Leverage Google’s Keyword Planner
With local keyword research, it’s like searching for buried treasure in your own backyard. The golden tip is to get cozy with Google’s Keyword Planner! It’s the treasure map to unlock the secret gems of local search.
Peep into the data cave and spot search volume and competition for those sparkling keywords. Don’t forget to use location-specific keywords like “best pizza in NYC” or “coolest cat café in LA” to lure the local crowd!
Proof? Look at Bill’s Burger Joint—they sprinkled local keywords like magic seasoning, and boom! Their website traffic soared like a hang glider on a sunny day. So, go forth, keyword adventurers, and conquer the local search territory like never before!
Himanshu Sharma
CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing
Utilize “Near Me” or Zip Code Tags
Location modifiers are words or phrases that indicate a specific location, such as “near me,” “in [city],” or “near [zip code].” Using location modifiers in keyword research can help identify keywords relevant to a business’s location, likely to be used by people searching for similar businesses in the area.
For instance, running a restaurant in San Francisco might lead to using the following location modifiers in keyword research:
- “near me”
- “in San Francisco”
- “near San Francisco”
- “San Francisco restaurants”
- “restaurants in San Francisco”
Using these location modifiers can help find keywords relevant to the business and likely to be used by people searching for restaurants in San Francisco.
Brenton Thomas
CEO, Twibi
Employ Keyword Modifiers
Keyword modifiers are words that define your offering, its characteristics and features, connected benefits, or primary selling points in further detail. You could also describe the events or occasions for which your products/services are utilized.
For example, keyword modifiers for the core keyword “Digital Marketing Services in Vermont” may instead be “Digital Marketing Services for Law Firms in Vermont,” “Cost Effective Digital Marketing Services in Vermont,” or “Expert Digital Marketing Services in Vermont.” When people search for local services with unique features or benefits, keyword modifiers increase your chances of appearing in search results.
Samantha Hawrylack
CEO, SJ Digital Solutions
Understand Search Intent
Understand your audience and the intent behind their search. Far too often, we see businesses just use a keyword research tool and blindly select as many keywords as possible, without having a true understanding of who is searching for that term and what their intent is.
There are four key search intents: navigational intent (looking for a specific page or website), informational intent (looking for info on a topic), commercial intent (researching before making a purchase), and transactional intent (wanting to make a purchase).
Understanding both who is searching and what intent they are searching for means that you can tailor your content for that audience. Remember, we want to write for people, not search bots!
Jordan McFadyen
Owner and Director, Done By Nine
Use Google’s Autocomplete Feature
One effective tip for conducting local keyword research is to leverage Google’s autocomplete feature. This involves typing a keyword related to your business, followed by the name of your local area, into the Google search bar and observing the suggested search terms.
These suggestions are based on what people are actually searching for, providing you with valuable insights into popular local keywords. You can then incorporate these keywords into your website and content to improve your local SEO.
Remember, local keyword research is crucial for businesses that operate in specific geographic areas. It can help you attract more local customers and stand out from your competition.
Madhurima Halder
Content Manager, Recruit CRM
List Services and Use Research Tools
Conducting local keyword research is crucial for understanding what potential customers are searching for in your area. You should start by listing all the services your business offers, ensuring that you don’t miss any relevant ones.
For instance, if I’m working with a client, I ask them to provide a comprehensive list of their services. Then, I use keyword research tools like Keywords Explorer to expand my ideas and find additional relevant services that people might search for. Checking for local intent is important, as it helps me focus on keywords that attract customers looking for local products or services.
Finally, I analyze top-ranking pages and look for relevant topics to mention to improve my page’s topical relevance and long-tail keyword rankings.
Poonam Guglani
Founder and Writer, The Lady Wise
Identify Your Target Market
My best tip for conducting local keyword research is to make sure you’re not looking at the wrong data.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the distinct data points that are available and lose sight of what’s actually important. For example, if you’re searching for “how to lose weight,” it’s tempting to look at which keywords are driving the most traffic—but that might not be the best way to decide which keyword to target.
What you should do instead is identify your target market: who is going to be searching for this information? Is it people who want help losing weight, or maybe people who are struggling with obesity? Then, you can identify which words will be used by them when they search for this information.
That way, you’ll be able to create a more targeted ad campaign that will reach more potential customers than if you were just using broad-based keywords like “weight loss.
Jaanus Põder
Founder and CEO, Envoice
Embrace Localized Long-Tail Keywords
Unlock the potential of local keyword research with a game-changing tip: embrace localized long-tail keywords. These gems are laser-focused, less competitive, and your secret weapon for dominating local search!
Consider these examples: “Best Italian restaurant in Manly” or “Affordable yoga classes near Bondi.” By weaving specific locations into longer search phrases, you target eager customers actively seeking nearby solutions. Localized long-tails deliver higher intent, attracting quality traffic ready to convert.
So, delve into local forums, social media groups, and customer feedback to discover the language they use. Local SEO success lies in speaking your audience’s language. Embrace the magic of long-tail keywords to outshine competitors, amplify your online presence, and become the go-to choice in your community.
Kayla Croser
Content Marketing Executive, RGC Digital Marketing
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