Author | Chatmeter TeamDate Posted | December 29, 2018

Compete Less and Convert More with Local SEO Keywords

Have you ever noticed a business’s website that is loaded with search terms (i.e. 82% of local searchers follow up with either a store visit, phone call, or purchase, making local search the best way to drive more customers into your store. By optimizing your website with local keywords, you help search engines to understand where your business is located and what you offer, which leads to better rankings in more relevant searchers.

Which keywords are right for you: Organic vs Local Search

One of the biggest mistakes a business can make when developing their keyword strategy is failing to consider the avenue through which their customers will be making purchases. Are you targeting online customers with an eCommerce site or are you attempting to drive customers to a physical store? The keyword strategy that you choose has a huge influence on which customers find your business.

For businesses with brick-and-mortar locations, this means you will need to adjust your keyword strategy to compete in the local search rankings. The major difference between keywords that are optimized for organic results, compared to local search results, is that local search keywords target searchers whose queries incorporate local intent.

Take for example, two families. One is trying to find a recipe to make a healthy dinner at home, the other is hoping to find a healthy restaurant around town. Both are searching for similar things, but the exact keywords they search will return very different results. The first family may search for something like “Healthy Dinner” or “Best Healthy Dinner Options”, whereas the family looking to eat out will use terms with local intent, like “Healthy Dinner near me” or “Healthy Dinner Restaurants”.

If you aren’t optimizing your content and choosing keywords to compete in the local search results, then the customers most relevant and profitable to your business won’t find you. Instead, they will find your competitors who are optimizing their websites with local search keywords.


Why Local keywords generate more conversions:

The nature of local search means that customers using it are ready to make a purchase. When you search on Google Maps, or Yelp, you are specifically looking for somewhere to go, something to do, or something to buy. The stats even back it up. 50% of local searches lead to store visits within the first 24 hours. With local search on mobile phones, there’s even faster action. 70% of those result in a purchase within just 1 hour! Searchers already know what kind of product or service they need, all they are looking for with a local search is a business that can fulfill their needs. As a business with physical locations, when you choose to optimize your content for local searches rather than organic searches, you are increasing your chances that these action oriented searchers will find your business.

You should carefully consider what your business offers and then choose some specific local keywords to optimize for. You will earn more page 1 rankings while also connecting with more qualified customers who are looking for your specific type of product/service.

Below is a list of the best local keywords for each industry:


Restaurant

  • Best Restaurant
  • Restaurant Near Me
  • Restaurants in [Your City/Neighborhood Name]
  • [Your food category] restaurants in [Your City/Neighborhood Name]
  • Places To Eat Near Me

QSR

  • Fast Food Restaurants
  • Food to-go
  • Take out food
  • Take out restaurants
  • Drive thru Restaurant

Hospitality

  • Hotels near me
  • Hotels with [pool, gym, garage parking etc.]
  • Hotels in [City Name]
  • Best Hotel in [City Name]

Financial

  • Banks
  • Banks near me
  • ATMs near me
  • Credit Union near me
  • Best Credit unions
  • Best Banks in [City name]

Auto Dealer

  • New Cars
  • Used Cars
  • Car Dealer in [Your City/Neighborhood Name]
  • [Car Brand] Dealer Near Me
  • Auto Dealer
  • Dealership

Auto Repair

  • Car repair shop
  • Engine repair
  • Autobody repair
  • Auto Repair
  • Auto Service

Retail

  • Clothing Store
  • Womens Clothes in [Your City/Neighborhood Name]
  • Mens Clothes in [Your City/Neighborhood Name]
  • [Summer, winter, fall, spring] clothing

Property Management

  • Apartments
  • Apartments for rent
  • Apartments with [swimming pool, gym etc.]
  • 1 Bedroom Apartments
  • 2 Bedroom Apartments

Choosing the right keywords and optimizing your content for local search is a great start to improving your online visibility and getting in front of customers who are ready to make a purchase. However, choosing the right keywords is only one piece of the Local SEO puzzle. To really compete in your industry, rank higher and drive customers into your store you will need a complete local SEO and reputation management strategy.

Schedule your FREE brand audit with Chatmeter to see how we can help you combine the right local keywords with a wholistic local SEO strategy to outrank your competitors and drive more customers into your stores.