Local keyword research is a crucial component of any effective local SEO strategy. Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketer, or a freelancer, understanding how to research and optimize for local keywords can help you attract more relevant traffic to your website and improve your visibility in local search results.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the basics of local keyword research, including what it is, why it’s important, and how to get started. Whether starting with local SEO or looking to improve local SEO strategy, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed.
What Is Local SEO Keyword Research?
Local SEO Keyword Research involves identifying and analyzing the specific keywords and phrases people use when searching for products or services in a particular geographic area. By conducting local keyword research, businesses can better understand the language and terminology used by their target audience and tailor their content and website to match those search terms.
It helps improve the relevance and visibility of the website in local search results, ultimately leading to more traffic, leads, and sales. Local SEO keyword research also enables businesses to identify gaps in their content and uncover new opportunities for targeting specific geographic locations or niches. Investing time and resources into local keyword research is essential for any business looking to optimize its online presence and attract local customers.
Implicit & Explicit Local Keywords
Regarding local keyword research, there are two main types of keywords to consider: implicit and explicit.
Implicit keywords are those that do not explicitly mention the location but imply it through the context of the search query. For example, searching for “best Italian restaurants” implies that the searcher is looking for Italian restaurants in their local area.
On the other hand, explicit keywords explicitly mention the location, such as “Italian restaurants in New York City.” It’s important to consider implicit and explicit keywords in your local keyword research strategy to ensure you capture all relevant search queries and reach your target audience effectively.
How to Do Local Keyword Research
List Solutions & Locations
Regarding local keyword research, it’s essential to list solutions and locations your target audience may be searching for. Start by brainstorming keywords related to your business, industry, and location.
It can be done by analyzing the services you provide, to whom you provide, and where you provide. It will be the beginning of your keyword research.
Find Relevant Local Keywords
Local keywords are words and phrases people use when searching for businesses and services in a particular area. By incorporating these keywords into your website and online content, you can increase your visibility in local search results and attract more potential customers to your business.
To find relevant local keywords, start by researching your target audience, analyzing your competitors’ websites, and using keyword research tools to identify popular and high-traffic local search terms.
With the right local keywords in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to improving your local search ranking and driving more traffic to your website.
Check Competitors’ Rankings
By analyzing the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your targeted keywords, you can see who else is ranking and identify potential opportunities to improve your rankings. Pay attention to factors such as your competitors’ websites’ content, backlinks, and on-page optimization.
This information can help you understand what strategies are working for them and how to improve your website to rank higher in the search results.
Additionally, analyzing your competitors’ rankings can help you identify gaps in the market and uncover new keyword opportunities that you may not have considered before.
Map Local Keywords to URLs
One important aspect of local keyword research is mapping those keywords to relevant URLs on your website. It involves identifying which pages or sections of your site best match the intent behind the search terms used by people in your target geographic area. By doing so, you can optimize those pages for local search and increase the likelihood of appearing in relevant search results. It’s important to remember that local keyword research is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and updating to stay competitive in your local market.
Hire a Local SEO Agency
Hiring a local SEO agency will give you expertise in keyword research and help you with your overall local SEO strategy that will improve your presence on SERP and increase share of voice on local keywords.
How to Track Your Local Keyword Rankings
Tracking your local keyword rankings can help you understand how your website performs in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords in your local area. Here are the steps to track your local keyword rankings:
Identify your target keywords
Identify the keywords relevant to your business and location. For example, if you own a coffee shop in New York City, your target keywords might include “coffee shop NYC,” “best coffee in New York,” and “coffee near me.”
Choose a keyword tracking tool
There are many keyword tracking tools available online, such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz. Choose a tool that allows you to track local keyword rankings, such as tracking rankings by a city, zip code, or region.
Set up your tracking
Once you’ve chosen a tool, enter your target keywords and the location you want to track. Choose the correct location, as this will affect your rankings.
Monitor your rankings
Once you’ve set up your tracking, monitor your keyword rankings regularly. Check your rankings at least once weekly to see how your website performs in search results for your target keywords.
Analyze your data
Use your keyword tracking tool to analyze your data and identify trends. Look for patterns in your rankings over time, and use this information to optimize your website for better rankings.
Take action
If your rankings are dropping for a particular keyword, take action to improve your ranking. It might include optimizing your content, building more backlinks, or adjusting your website’s metadata.
By tracking your local keyword rankings, you can better understand how your website performs in local search results and take steps to improve your rankings over time.
Conclusion
Local keyword research is essential for businesses that want to attract customers in their local area. It involves identifying relevant keywords and phrases people use when searching for products or services in a specific location.
Optimizing your website and content with these keywords can improve your search engine rankings and increase your visibility to potential customers.
Local keyword research is an ongoing process, as search trends and customer behavior can change over time. Regularly reviewing and updating your keywords can help ensure you continue attracting the right audience and growing your business locally.
Author
Pentra SEO Agency
