A Step-by-Step Guide to Local Keyword Research: Local SEO Made Easy

Local SEO has become crucial for businesses looking to target specific geographical areas. One of the most important elements of any local SEO strategy is local keyword research. Finding the right keywords that resonate with your target audience in a particular location can significantly improve your visibility on search engines like Google and attract more customers. In this blog, we will explore why local keyword research matters, the challenges businesses face, how you can use local keyword research to boost your local SEO and how to do local keyword research using GBPGM tool.

Understanding Local SEO

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is the process of optimizing your website and online listings to appear prominently in local search results when users search for products or services related to your business. It involves factors such as your business’s physical location, online reviews, and citations.

Why Local SEO Matters for Businesses?

Local SEO is essential for businesses because it helps them:

  • Attract local customers: By ranking higher in local search results, you can reach customers who are actively searching for businesses like yours in their area.
  • Increase foot traffic: For businesses with physical locations, local SEO can drive more people to your store.
  • Build credibility: Positive online reviews and citations can help your business build trust and credibility among local customers.

Local Keyword Research: Why It Matters for Local SEO?

Local keyword research refers to identifying the specific search terms that people in a particular area use when searching for products or services. These keywords are essential because they help businesses rank higher in local search results, making it easier for customers in the vicinity to find them. With local SEO becoming increasingly competitive, using precise local keywords can be the deciding factor in your search engine rankings.

For instance, instead of targeting generic keywords like “bakery,” local keyword research would lead you to target phrases like “best bakery in Boston” or “Boston bakery near me.” These local-specific keywords make it easier for potential customers to find your business.

Challenges of Local Keyword Research for Small Businesses

While local keyword research is essential, small businesses often face several challenges when conducting it:

  • Limited data: Smaller businesses may struggle to find reliable search volume data for local keywords, making it harder to gauge the effectiveness of their keyword strategy.
  • Highly competitive keywords: Some local markets are highly saturated, making it difficult for small businesses to rank for competitive keywords.
  • Targeting the right area: Businesses may not know how to focus their efforts on keywords that cover a specific locality or neighborhood.
  • Adapting to changes: Trends in search behavior can change, and it can be difficult to stay up-to-date with new and emerging local search terms.

Overcoming these challenges is key to successful local keyword research, and doing so can help businesses focus on high-value keywords that drive results.

Using GBPGM’s Tool to Find Relevant Keywords

Finding the right local keywords involves understanding how potential customers are searching for your services or products in a specific location.

GBPGM’s local keyword research tool can help you discover relevant keywords that local customers use to search for businesses like yours. The tool provides valuable insights such as search volume, competition, and related keywords.

download from google play store GBPGM

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using GBPGM to do local keyword help you find high-impact local keywords:

1. Login to the GBPGM App
Sign in with your Gmail account, which is linked to an active Google Business Profile.

login to gbpgm for local keyword research

2. Access Local Keyword Research
Navigate to Tools > Local Keyword in the menu.

access local keyword keyword button in gbpgm tool

3. Choose Your Keyword
Enter a keyword in the search bar or select from the dropdown menu, which shows relevant categories and services from your profile. This helps if you’re unsure of what keywords to use.
choose the keyword in gbpgm tool to find local keyword4. Specify Location and Platform
Choose whether you want to focus on keywords relevant to your city, or country, or search across Google’s network, including Google partners. It’s recommended to select “Google.”
local keyword research tool

 

5. View Search Results
The tool will provide free search data, including details like search volume.

specify location in gbpgm tool

6. Save and Evaluate Local Keywords
You can save any useful keywords for future use within the app, across various features like Geo Grid, Local Search Rank, Category Finder, and others.
Check whether the keyword shows results for local businesses in Google Business Profile. If a keyword has more than zero businesses, it’s viable as a local keyword. By clicking the shop icon, you’ll spend 1 token, and you can buy more tokens as needed (1 token for ₹1 or 10 tokens for $1).

evaluate local keyword

7. Competitor Insights
You’ll also receive information on competitors, such as their name, address, ratings, number of reviews, and categories. This will help you analyze your competition and understand their position for that keyword.

competitors data in gbpgm app

8. Export the Results
Be sure to export your search results before refreshing the page, or they will be lost. You’ll receive an Excel file with a detailed breakdown for each local keyword you researched, which you can keep for future reference.

export local keyword list

Keyword Research Tips and Strategies

Here are some tips for effective local keyword research:

  • Start with location-based terms: Combine your service or product with your target location (e.g., “plumber in Chicago”). These are core local keywords that can immediately boost local visibility.
  • Use tools to discover local variations: Tools like GBPGM, Google Keyword Planner or keyword research platforms can help you find variations of these location-based terms.
  • Check search volume and competition: For each local keyword, check how many people are searching for it and how difficult it is to rank for that term.
  • Analyze your competition: See what keywords your local competitors are using, and identify any gaps that you can fill with your own unique keywords.
  • Look for long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific keywords that have lower competition but can drive highly targeted traffic. For example, instead of targeting “restaurant New York,” you might target “family-friendly restaurant in Brooklyn.”

Tracking Local Keyword Performance

Once you’ve identified your target local keywords, it’s important to track their performance. Monitoring how these keywords perform over time helps you understand what’s working and what needs to be adjusted.

Key metrics to track include:

  • Search volume trends: Keep an eye on whether the number of searches for your keywords is increasing or decreasing.
  • Ranking position: See how your website ranks for each local keyword and whether it’s improving over time.
  • Click-through rate (CTR): Measure the percentage of people who click on your listing after seeing it in the search results.
  • Conversions: Track how many leads or sales you’re generating from visitors who found you through local keyword searches.

By monitoring these metrics, you can continuously refine your local keyword strategy and ensure that you are targeting the most valuable terms for your business.

Boosting Your Google My Business Profile with Local Keywords

Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is a powerful tool for improving local SEO. Integrating local keywords into your GMB listing can significantly enhance your visibility on Google Maps and local search results.

Here are a few ways to do it:

  • Optimize your business description: Use local keywords naturally in your GMB business description.
  • Add keywords to your posts: Regularly publish posts on your GMB profile using local keywords.
  • Encourage local reviews: Ask your customers to mention your services and location in their reviews to further boost your local relevance.

Optimizing your GMB profile with local keywords can help you gain more exposure in local search results and attract more customers to your business.

download from google play store GBPGM

Conclusion

Local keyword research is a fundamental aspect of local SEO that can help your business stand out in a competitive market. By targeting the right local keywords, focusing on long-tail phrases, and optimizing your online presence with these keywords, you can improve your visibility, drive more traffic, and ultimately grow your business. Start by identifying relevant local keywords for your area, track their performance, and continuously refine your strategy for maximum impact.

By following these guidelines and using GBPGM’s local keyword research tool, you can effectively optimize your website and online listings for local search. This will help you attract more local customers, increase foot traffic, and build credibility in your community.

Remember, successful local SEO is an ongoing process, but with the right keyword strategy, you’ll be well on your way to dominating local search results and driving more business.

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Priti is a mompreneur, blogger and digital marketer. She is a co-founder of InfoTalks. Passionate about internet marketing and love to share the same in the form of blogs.

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