How local keyword search volume may be the key to your increasing online traffic to your business
As a local business owner, you know how important it is to attract new customers to your business.
One way to do this is by ensuring that your business ranks well in local search results. However, achieving this requires more than just optimizing your website for keywords.
You need to conduct keyword research to identify the best keywords to target.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to conduct keyword research for local businesses. Use the actionable advice below to attract new customers to your business using local keyword search volume.
What are keywords?
Keywords are words or phrases that people type into a search engine when they want to find something.
For example, if you’re looking for a pizza place near you, you might type “pizza near me” into Google. The words “pizza near me” are the keywords.
Local SEO means making sure your business shows up when people search for things in your area.
So, if you have a pizza place, you want your business to show up when people search for “pizza near me”.
To do that, you need to make sure those keywords are on your website and other places online where your business is listed, like Google My Business.
Basically, keywords help people find your business when they’re looking for something specific, like pizza in their area.
What is Keyword Research and Analysis?
Keyword research and analysis is simply identifying the keywords that people use to search for products or services in your industry.
It involves using various tools to identify the most relevant keywords to target, based on search volume, competition, and relevance to your business.
By conducting keyword research, you can ensure that your website is optimized for the keywords that your target audience is searching for, which can increase your website traffic and attract new customers.
“One of the biggest mistakes that local businesses make when conducting keyword research is targeting keywords that are too broad. Instead, focus on niche keywords that are relevant to your business, and have a lower level of competition.”
Brian Dean, Founder of Backlinko
What is Search Volume in Keyword Research?
Search volume indicates the number of times a particular keyword is searched for on search engines like Google.
It can help you identify keywords that are popular among your target audience.
That’s why local keyword search volume is so important to attracting searchers to your site.
By targeting high search volume keywords, you can attract more visitors to your business.
“When conducting keyword research for local businesses, it’s important to focus on long-tail keywords that are specific to your location and industry. This can help you attract highly targeted traffic to your website, and increase your chances of converting visitors into customers.”
Neil Patel, Co-founder of Neil Patel Digital
What is CPC in Keyword Research?
CPC, or cost per click, is a metric that indicates the cost of advertising for a particular keyword.
It can help you identify keywords that are likely to be profitable for your business.
By targeting high CPC keywords, you can increase your chances of attracting high-quality leads to your business.
Why is Keyword Research Important in Digital Marketing?
Keyword research is an essential component of digital marketing. It can help you identify the keywords that your target audience is searching for.
By optimizing your website for local keyword search volume, you can increase your website traffic and attract new customers to your business.
Keyword research can also help you identify the keywords that your competitors are targeting. This can help you stay ahead of the competition and identify new opportunities for growth.
What is the Purpose of Keyword Research?
Keyword research identifies the keywords that your target audience is searching for and optimizes your website for these keywords.
By doing so, you can increase your website traffic, attract new customers, and improve your search engine rankings.
Keyword research can also help you identify new opportunities for growth, and stay ahead of the competition in your industry.
“When conducting keyword research, it’s important to consider the intent behind the keywords that you are targeting. Are people searching for information, or are they looking to make a purchase? By understanding the intent behind the keywords, you can optimize your website accordingly.”
Rand Fishkin, Co-founder of Moz
How to Conduct Keyword Research for Local Businesses
Now that you understand the importance of keyword research for local businesses, let’s explore how to conduct keyword research. Here are the steps that you should follow:
Step 1: Identify Your Target Audience
The first step in conducting keyword research is to identify your target audience. You need to understand who your target audience is, what they are searching for, and what their needs and preferences are.
Then you can identify the keywords that are most relevant to them, and optimize your website accordingly.
Step 2: Use Keyword Research Tools
Once you have identified your target audience, you need to use keyword research tools to identify the most relevant keywords to target.
There are several keyword research tools available, including Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz Keyword Explorer.
These tools can help you identify the local keyword search volume competition, and CPC of various keywords, which can help you choose the best keywords to target.
Step 3: Analyze Your Competitors
After identifying the best keywords to target, you need to analyze your competitors to identify the keywords that they are targeting.
Analyzing your competitors can help you identify new opportunities for growth, and help you stay ahead of the competition.
You can use tools like SEMrush to analyze your competitors’ websites, and identify the keywords that they are targeting.
By analyzing your competitors, you can identify gaps in the market, and target keywords that they are not targeting.
Step 4: Choose the Best Keywords to Target
Once you have identified the keywords that your target audience is searching for, and analyzed your competitors, you need to choose the best keywords to target.
You should choose keywords that have high search volume, low competition, and high CPC.
By targeting these keywords, you can increase your website traffic, attract new customers, and improve your search engine rankings.
Step 5: Optimize Your Website for Keywords
After choosing the best keywords to target, you need to optimize your website for these keywords.
You should include your target keywords in your website content, meta descriptions, headings, and image alt tags.
You should also ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, and has a fast loading time, as these are important factors that can affect your search engine rankings.
“Don’t forget to optimize your Google My Business listing for local search. This can help you appear in the map pack, which can drive a significant amount of traffic to your website.”
Joy Hawkins, Founder of Sterling Sky
“When conducting keyword research, don’t forget to analyze the language that your target audience is using. Are they using industry-specific jargon, or are they using more colloquial language? By understanding the language that your target audience is using, you can optimize your website accordingly.”
Amy Porterfield, Online Marketing Expert.
Conducting keyword research is an essential component of digital marketing for local businesses.
By identifying the best keywords to target, you can increase your website traffic, attract new customers, and improve your search engine rankings.
To conduct keyword research for local businesses, you need to identify your target audience, use keyword research tools, analyze your competitors, choose the best keywords to target, and optimize your website for these keywords.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your website is optimized for the keywords that your target audience is searching for, and attract new customers to your business.
FAQ about Conducting Keyword Research for Local Businesses
What is the purpose of keyword research in digital marketing, and why is it important for local businesses?
Keyword research helps you identify the most relevant keywords to target, which can help you attract more visitors to your website and increase your chances of converting them into customers. It is important for local businesses because it helps them target keywords that are specific to their location and industry.
What is search volume in keyword research, and why is it important to consider when choosing keywords?
Search volume is the number of times a particular keyword is searched for on search engines like Google. It is important to consider when choosing keywords because it indicates the popularity of a keyword among your target audience.
What is the difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords, and which should I target for my local business?
Short-tail keywords are broad keywords that are usually one or two words long, while long-tail keywords are more specific and usually contain three or more words. For local businesses, it is usually best to target long-tail keywords that are specific to their location and industry, as they are more likely to attract highly targeted traffic to their website.
How do I choose the best keywords to target for my local business?
To choose the best keywords to target, you should use keyword research tools to identify keywords that have high search volume, low competition, and high CPC. You should also consider the intent behind the keywords that you are targeting and ensure that they are relevant to your target audience.
What is the purpose of analyzing my competitors when conducting keyword research, and how can it help my local business?
Analyzing your competitors can help you identify the keywords that they are targeting and identify new opportunities for growth. By analyzing your competitors, you can also stay ahead of the competition and identify gaps in the market that you can target.
How can I optimize my website for the keywords that I have identified through keyword research?
You can optimize your website for keywords by including them in your website content, meta descriptions, headings, and image alt tags. You should also ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, has a fast loading time, and provides a good user experience for your visitors.
What is CPC in keyword research, and why should I consider it when choosing keywords for my local business?
CPC, or cost per click, is the cost of advertising for a particular keyword. It is important to consider when choosing keywords because it can indicate the profitability of a keyword for your business. By targeting high CPC keywords, you can increase your chances of attracting high-quality leads to your business.
What are the benefits of using Local keyword search Volume for my local business?
Keyword research tools can help you identify the most relevant keywords to target, based on factors such as search volume, competition, and relevance to your business. They can also help you analyze your competitors and identify new opportunities for growth. By using keyword research tools, you can ensure that your website is optimized for the keywords that your target audience is searching for.
