Being able to complete a keyword research and use your findings effectively is essential to increase wesbite traffic, target audiences, create relevant content, improve visibility, and etc.
As a student at University of Michigan-Dearborn in the College of Business, we completed a keyword research project where we were tasked to assume the role of a digital marketing manager at Tesla and present a keyword strategy to the director of marketing. Our recommendations included how to acquire relevant and cost-effective traffic through search engines, using relevant keywords as the basis. In addition to this project, we created Google Search and Display Ads for local businesses, where keywords were used to receive the most optimal results. After several weeks of practice, I came up with a detailed outline on how to do keyword research for local businesses; I used car washes as an example.
Step #1: Understanding the Importance of Keyword Research
Keyword research involves identifying the terms and phrases that potential customers use when searching for car wash services online. By targeting these keywords, you can optimize your website content to match user intent, increase visibility, and attract more local traffic.
Step #2: Identifying Seed Keywords
Start by brainstorming basic terms related to the service you provide at your car wash. Here are some examples:
- Car Wash
- Auto Detailing
- Hand Car Wash
- Mobile Car Wash
These keywords will just serve as the foundation for expanding your keyword list.
Step #3: Expanding with Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that usually indicate higher intent. Here are some examples:
- Afforable Car Wash in [City’s Name]
- Eco-friendly auto detailing near me
- Mobile car wash services in [Neighborhood]
These keywords will often times have a much lower search volume, but they still can attract more qualified leads.
Step #4: Utilizing Keyword Research Tools
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner (the tool I use the most), Ubersuggest, or Ahrefs, to discover keyword variations, search volumes, and competition levels. These tools can help you identify opportunities to target less competitive, yet highly relevant keywords. *Relevance is very important*
Step #5: Analyzing Competitor Keywords
Examine the websites of local competitiors to see which keywords they are targeting. The best way to get ranked #1 on Google Search is to see what the top performing websites are doing. Look at their meta titles, descriptions, and content headings. This analysis can reveal gaps in your own keyword strategy and inspire new keyword ideas.
Step #6: Incorporating Keywords into Your Website
Once you have complied a list of relevant keywords, strategically incorporate them into your website. Here is a checklist I compiled to help guide you:
- Page Titles and Meta Descriptions: Ensure each page has a unique title and description that includes your target keywords
- Heading (H1, H2, H3): Use headings to structure your content and include keywords where they are most appropriate.
- Content: Naturally intergrate keywords into your website content, ensuring readibility and relevance.
- Mixed Media with Image Alt Text: Describe images and other media forms with relevant keywords to improve image search visibility.
- URLs: Create short and clean URLs that reflect the content of the page and include keywords.
Step #7: Monitoring and Adjusting Your Stategy
SEO and keyword strategies are an ongoing process and need to be monitored and adjusted when need be. I would reccomend using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your website’s performance. Make sure to track metrics such as organic traffic, bounce rates, and keyword rankings. Adjust your strategy based on this data to continually improve your SEO efforts.
Effective keyword research is vital for local car wash businesses aiming to enhance their online visibility and attract more customers. By understanding your audience’s search behavior and strategically incorporating relevant keywords into your website, you can improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your business!
Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion, and I will get back to you as soon as possible! Thank you for reading!
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