Local business owners struggle to reach nearby customers online. Many kitchen and bath contractors spend money on ads but fail to show up in local searches. Finding the right local search terms remains a major roadblock for most remodeling companies.
Studies show that 46% of all Google searches have local intent. People search for “kitchen remodeling near me” or “bathroom contractors in [city name]” thousands of times each month.
These searches signal strong buying interest from potential customers in your area.
This guide will teach you the basics of identifying local search terms for your contracting business. You’ll learn proven methods to find keywords that local customers use to find remodeling services.
You’ll also discover tools to research these terms and track your rankings. Ready to boost your local visibility? Let’s explore local keyword research together.
Key Takeaways
- Local SEO matters greatly since 46% of Google searches have local intent, and 80% of consumers look online for local businesses, making proper keyword targeting crucial for success.
- Two main types of local keywords exist: explicit keywords that include location names (like “kitchen remodeling Detroit”) and implicit keywords that use phrases like “near me” or “open now.”
- Essential tools for local keyword research include Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool with 25 billion keywords, and BrightLocal for tracking local rankings.
- A complete Google Business Profile is vital for local visibility – businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks than those without.
- Smart keyword mapping requires creating unique content for each service area, avoiding duplicate content, and naturally placing keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and headers for better search rankings.
What Is Local Keyword Research?
Local keyword research finds specific words people type into search engines to find kitchen and bath remodeling services in their area. These search terms show clear intent from potential customers who need home renovation work done nearby.
A homeowner might search “kitchen remodeler Detroit” or “bathroom contractor near me” to find local services.
The research process tracks both direct location mentions and searches that suggest local intent. Google’s search algorithms understand both types of searches to deliver relevant results.
Kitchen and bath contractors need to target these specific phrases to appear in search results for their service areas. The right keywords help businesses show up for searches from potential clients ready to start their remodeling projects.
Importance of Identifying Local Search Terms
Finding the right local search terms helps you reach customers in your area who need kitchen and bath remodeling services. Research shows 80% of consumers search online for local businesses, making proper keyword targeting crucial for your success.
Your potential clients type specific phrases into search engines to find remodeling contractors near them. These phrases often include city names, neighborhoods, or service-specific terms that match their needs.
Search terms with location modifiers create a direct path between your business and local customers searching for renovation services. Your website needs these targeted keywords to appear in Google’s local search results.
The right local keywords bring qualified leads to your business, rather than random website visitors who might live too far away. Many small businesses face traffic problems, with 21% struggling to attract website visitors.
Smart local keyword selection fixes this issue by connecting you with people ready to hire a contractor in your service area.
Types of Local Keywords
Local keywords are split into two main groups that help businesses target specific areas and reach customers through search engines – we’ll explore each type in detail next.
Explicit Local Keywords
Explicit local keywords include your city, state, or neighborhood in search phrases. A kitchen remodeling contractor might target “kitchen remodeling Detroit” or “bathroom renovation Ann Arbor” to reach local customers.
These keywords help your business show up in Google searches from people near you who need your services.
Your website needs clear location markers in its content to rank well in search results. Google matches these location-specific terms to user searches in your area. Smart contractors place city names next to their main services throughout their website pages.
The next step focuses on implicit local keywords, which work differently but are just as vital for your online success.
Implicit Local Keywords
Implicit local keywords help customers find your kitchen and bath remodeling services without typing a location. These keywords include phrases like “bathroom remodeler near me” or “custom kitchen designer open now.” Google’s smart system figures out where people are and shows them local businesses that match their search.
Local search algorithms pick up these location-free terms and connect them to specific areas. Your business needs to rank for these searches because many people use their phones to find services close to them.
The right mix of implicit keywords on your website helps you show up in Google’s local pack and organic search results.
Utilizing Local Keyword Tools
Local keyword tools help kitchen and bath contractors find the right search terms for their business. These digital tools make keyword research faster and more accurate for your remodeling company.
- Google Keyword Planner shows search volume data for terms like “kitchen remodeling near me” or “bathroom renovation [city name].”
- Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool filters local keywords based on your service area and shows competitor rankings.
- Ubersuggest offers free local keyword suggestions and displays monthly search trends for home improvement terms.
- Google Trends reveals seasonal patterns in remodeling searches, helping you plan content around peak interest times.
- KeywordsFX generates location-specific phrases for kitchen and bath services in your target areas.
- Moz Local tracks your local keyword rankings and suggests improvements for your Google Business Profile.
- Serpstat finds gaps in your local keyword strategy by comparing your terms with successful competitors.
- Personal Keyword Difficulty tools measure how hard it will be to rank for specific local terms.
- Local keyword research tools show search intent data to target homeowners ready to start projects.
- Free keyword tools like Google Search Console display actual terms people use to find remodeling services.
- Keyword mapping tools help match your services to the most valuable local search phrases.
- Local ranking trackers monitor how well your website performs for area-specific renovation terms.
Steps to Conduct Local Keyword Research
Local keyword research follows a clear path to success for your business growth. You’ll need a solid plan to find the right search terms that match what your local customers type into Google.
List Your Services and Locations
Your first step in local keyword research starts with a clear list of your remodeling services. Make a detailed list of every kitchen and bathroom service you offer, from cabinet installations to full-room renovations.
Include specific materials you work with, such as quartz countertops, ceramic tiles, or custom cabinetry.
Map out all the areas where you provide your services. Write down the names of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and ZIP codes in your service radius. A kitchen remodeling contractor in Detroit might serve areas like Royal Oak, Birmingham, or Troy.
This list creates a strong base for mixing service keywords with location terms to target customers in your area.
Brainstorm Seed Keywords
After listing your services and locations, creating seed keywords forms the next step in local keyword research. Seed keywords start with basic terms like “kitchen remodeling” or “bathroom renovation.” These broad terms serve as the base for finding more specific local keywords that match what customers search for.
Local contractors need to think about the common words their customers use to describe remodeling services. The process starts with writing down basic terms for each service type. A kitchen contractor might list words like “cabinet installation,” “countertop replacement,” or “kitchen design.” These seed keywords help build a strong foundation for finding more targeted search terms that bring in local customers.
Use Keyword Modifiers
Keyword modifiers help you target specific local customers searching for kitchen and bath services. You can add words like “near me,” “in [city name],” or “[neighborhood] area” to your main keywords.
Local customers often search for “kitchen remodeling contractors Detroit” or “bathroom renovation experts Ann Arbor.”.
Local search terms need quality modifiers to match what people want. Words such as “best,” “top-rated,” or “affordable” paired with your service keywords boost your local rankings.
Your target phrases might include “custom kitchen design Michigan” or “licensed bathroom contractors Oakland County.” These modified keywords create a strong local SEO foundation for your contracting business.
Identify Competitor Keywords
Your local competitors leave digital footprints through their keyword rankings. Tools like Semrush’s Domain Overview and Keyword Gap tool reveal these valuable insights. The UNTAPPED tab shows unique keywords your rivals rank for but you don’t.
This data helps spot gaps in your kitchen and bath remodeling content strategy.
Mobile search results offer the most accurate picture of local rankings. Smart contractors filter out competitor brand names to focus on service-based keywords. Google search results display the most popular terms your competitors target in your service area.
The next step involves organizing these keywords into clear groups for your website pages.
Optimizing for Local Keyword Phrases
Local keyword phrases need specific placement on your website pages. Smart contractors place these phrases in page titles, meta descriptions, and headers for better search rankings.
The Keyword Strategy Builder helps group related terms for each service page. A kitchen remodeling business might target “custom kitchen remodeling Detroit” or “bathroom renovation Ann Arbor” as main phrases.
Local search terms work best with clear location markers in the content. Google Business Profile optimization matches these terms with service areas and business details. Top contractors map their keywords to match existing pages or create new content based on search intent.
Each page focuses on one main local keyword phrase plus related terms for natural-sounding content.
Tools for Local Keyword Research
Local keyword research tools help you find the right search terms for your kitchen and bath business. These powerful tools track search volumes and show you what local customers type into search engines.
Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner stands as a vital tool for kitchen and bath contractors seeking local search data. The platform offers clear insights into search behaviors, helping you spot the right keywords for your remodeling business.
You can enter broad terms like “kitchen remodel” and specify your service area to find targeted local keywords.
The tool generates up to 1,458 keyword options, making it easier to match your services with customer searches. Your search results show monthly search volumes, which helps you pick the most valuable keywords for your area.
The data tells you exactly what homeowners type into Google while looking for kitchen and bath services near them.
SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool
SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool stands as a powerful resource for kitchen and bath contractors seeking local search terms. The tool contains more than 25 billion keywords in its database, making it perfect for finding location-based phrases that match your services.
Local customers often search for specific terms like “bathroom remodel near me” or “kitchen renovation [city name],” and this tool helps you spot these valuable search patterns.
The Magic Tool creates lists of location-specific long-tail keywords that match your business goals. You can filter results by search volume, competition level, and local intent to find the most useful keywords for your landing pages.
The tool shows you exactly what potential clients type into search engines while looking for kitchen and bath services in your area. These insights help you create web pages that speak directly to local homeowners searching for your expertise.
BrightLocal
BrightLocal stands as a powerful tool for kitchen and bath contractors who want to boost their local search presence. The platform helps you track local keyword rankings and find search terms that nearby customers use to find remodeling services.
Local search volumes guide you to pick the most effective keywords for your service area.
The tool offers clear insights about which local keywords bring the most traffic to your business website. You’ll see exactly how people search for kitchen and bath services in your area.
This data helps you optimize your Google Business Profile and improve your local SEO efforts with proven results.
Organizing and Mapping Keywords to Pages
A solid keyword mapping plan helps your remodeling website rank higher in local searches. Your website needs clear sections for each service like kitchen remodels, bathroom updates, and cabinet installations.
Each page must target specific local keywords that match what homeowners search for. The main service pages should focus on broader terms like “kitchen remodeling [city name],” while sub-pages can target more specific phrases like “custom cabinet installation [neighborhood].” This structure makes it easier for search engines to understand your content and show it to the right people.
Local search terms need their own dedicated pages on your website. You’ll want to create unique content for each location you serve, avoiding copy-paste content across different city pages.
Your Google Business Profile should match the information on these location pages. The content must include natural mentions of your target keywords without stuffing them in awkwardly.
Your service area pages should highlight specific details about working in each location, including local landmarks or neighborhoods that potential customers might mention in their searches.
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile serves as a digital storefront for your kitchen and bath remodeling company. Local customers search for remodeling services through Google, making your business profile a vital tool for attracting leads.
- Fill in every section of your profile with accurate details about your remodeling services, business hours, and contact information
- Upload high-quality photos of your kitchen and bath projects – businesses with images get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks
- Pick the right business categories for your services, such as “Kitchen Remodeler” and “Bathroom Remodeling Contractor”
- Write a clear description using local keywords that describe your service areas and specialties
- List all payment methods you accept for remodeling projects
- Add your service menu with prices for common kitchen and bath updates
- Post weekly updates about your latest projects with before and after photos
- Respond to all customer reviews within 24 hours – positive reviews boost local rankings
- Track your profile insights to see which posts drive the most customer actions
- Include special offers or seasonal promotions to attract local homeowners
- Add your service areas and zip codes to help Google show your business to nearby customers
- Link your website to your profile for improved local search visibility
- Share virtual tours of your showroom or completed projects
- Keep your hours updated, especially during holidays or special events
Conclusion
Local keyword research stands as a vital part of any strong SEO plan. Smart local keyword choices help businesses connect with nearby customers who need their services right now. Local search terms bring real results through higher rankings, more website visits, and better leads.
The right mix of location-based keywords and industry terms will put your business in front of people ready to buy. Mastering local keyword research takes time, but the rewards make it worth the effort through increased local visibility and business growth.
FAQs
1. What is local SEO keyword research?
Local SEO keyword research is the process of finding keywords that people use to search for local products and services. These search terms help your business rank higher in search engine results pages for local traffic.
2. How do I find the best local keywords for my business?
Use tools like SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool to discover relevant keywords with high search volume. Look for search queries that contain location-based terms or phrases your target market might use while searching for local businesses.
3. What makes local SEO keywords different from regular keywords?
Local SEO keywords focus on driving local traffic to your website. They often include specific location terms and help customers find your business through organic keywords related to your local area.
4. How can I track my local keyword rankings?
Many SEO tools provide keyword tracking features. These tools help measure how well your website ranks for local keywords, showing which search terms bring the most local traffic to your site.
5. What are common mistakes in local keyword research?
Keyword stuffing and ignoring search volume are common errors. Smart local SEO strategy requires picking relevant keywords that match what your customers might search for while avoiding the overuse of terms.
6. How often should I update my local keyword list?
Create a comprehensive list of local keywords and review it every few months. Search patterns change, so regular updates help ensure your SEO strategy stays effective for driving local traffic to your website.
