When it comes to Local SEO, one of the first steps is to conduct thorough keyword research to identify the most relevant and popular search terms for your business. Start by brainstorming keywords related to your business and the services you offer. For example, if you own a bakery, terms like “gluten-free cupcakes” or “best cupcakes near me” might come to mind.
A great starting point for brainstorming is to use Google’s search suggestions. As you type your search query, Google will provide popular, relevant keywords based on common searches. Additionally, consider the common questions customers ask. For example, a pet store might get frequent inquiries like “Do you sell organic pet food?” These types of long-tail keywords are extremely valuable for local businesses.
Once you have a list of potential keywords, it’s time to evaluate their popularity. You can use the Google Keyword Planner for this, a tool that’s part of Google Ads. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one without having to spend any money. Once you’re logged into Google Ads, navigate to the Keyword Planner tool to input your keyword list and get search volume estimates.
By sorting keywords based on their monthly search volume, you can identify which ones are most relevant for your local SEO strategy. For instance, if a keyword like “cupcakes Santa Monica” has a high search volume and aligns with your offerings, it’s worth considering. However, be mindful of overly broad keywords like just “cupcakes,” as they can be difficult to rank for in a competitive market.
Continue refining your keyword list to focus on terms with a good balance of search volume and local intent, ensuring that your business ranks for searches most relevant to your target audience.
