Introduction:
If you’re a business owner serving a local audience, you’re probably familiar with the challenges of getting your website to rank well for location-based searches. Acquiring organic traffic to your site is a cost-effective way to attract customers, and that’s where search engine optimization (SEO) comes into play. A crucial part of local SEO is optimizing your website for keywords that people in your area use when searching for businesses like yours.
However, it’s not just about sprinkling keywords everywhere. Your website must also establish itself as an authoritative source to rank higher for those keywords. This creates a dual task: strategically using location keywords and building your website’s credibility to stand out in local search results.
In this guide, Alpha BPO, the professional digital marketing agency in the Netherlands, will take you deep into the world of location words; we will dive deep into the world of location keywords. We’ll start with the basics – what they are and why they matter – and then move on to more advanced strategies for using them effectively.
What are Location Based Keywords and Why They Matter
Location-based keywords are a fundamental component of search engine optimization (SEO), pivotal in boosting a website’s visibility in localised search results. These keywords are specific phrases or terms incorporating geographic cues, highlighting the region where a business operates or caters to its clientele. Their primary purpose is to align a website’s content with users’ search queries for products or services within a specific area.
For instance, consider a coffee parlour nestled in the heart of Amsterdam that is aiming to attract local patrons and curious tourists. In this context, relevant location-based keywords might encompass phrases such as “best coffeeshop in Amsterdam,” “Amsterdam cafe with canal view,” or “local pastries in the Netherlands.” By seamlessly weaving these keywords throughout the website’s content, meta tags, headings, and other vital on-page elements, the cafe can significantly improve its chances of securing a higher rank on search engine results pages (SERPs) when users explore coffee-related options in Amsterdam.
But wait, there’s more! Location-based keywords aren’t just about helping websites get noticed. They’re also like a bridge that connects what people are looking for with what search engines provide.They’re the reason you find what you’re searching for. These keywords also come to the rescue for those “near me” searches, where users seek businesses or services in proximity to their physical location.
And here’s the cool part: using these special keywords can level the playing field. Big national brands might use keywords for big cities, but they might overlook the smaller neighbourhoods. This is where local businesses have a chance to shine. By adding location-based keywords, your business can reach local customers and get a better spot on local search result pages.
As search engines increasingly emphasise localised results, incorporating well-researched and strategically placed location-based keywords becomes imperative.Thus, websites that skillfully integrate location-based keywords cater to user intent and demonstrate their authority within a specific geographic area. This dual dynamic – relevance to user needs and authority within a locality – positions websites as reliable sources, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.
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How to Effectively Use Local Keywords To Rank High On SERP
Incorporating location keywords to tap into local searches doesn’t require a major overhaul of your existing SEO strategy; it’s more about making smart adjustments.
Strategize Your Website with Keyword Research
Begin by researching keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner, KeywordTool.io, or Ahrefs. Let’s say you’re running a plumbing business in Amsterdam. Your goal is to discover keywords that receive a good amount of searches and align well with your business.
Plugging various words into a tool like Google Keyword Planner lets you see which ones are popular. This helps you determine which keywords can bring more people to your site.
Once you’ve got your keywords, it’s time to plan how your website is structured. Each page should have one main keyword that it focuses on. The homepage is usually the most important one. It gets linked to the most, which makes it more powerful in search engines.
If you’re a local business serving just one city, ensure your homepage is about your most important keyword. But if you serve different areas, like a plumber in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, create separate pages for each location. Each page should be centred around the main keyword for that area. This helps you show up for searches specific to those places.
By figuring out the right keywords and organising your site this way, you’re setting yourself up for better visibility online. Your website becomes a map that guides people to what they’re looking for, and that’s a great way to stand out in the digital world.
Integrate Location Keywords Throughout Your Site
The key to success is including your location keywords everywhere on your website, but it’s crucial to do it in a way that keeps your content valuable and engaging. Finding the right balance between keyword use and high-quality content can be tricky, which is why many experts specialise in creating SEO content. When you’re crafting your website, make sure your chosen location keywords are present in various important spots:
- Title Tags: These are like the headlines of your web pages. Including your location keyword here can give search engines a strong hint about your content.
- META Tags: These briefly summarise what your page is about. Incorporating your location keyword in the META description can catch the eye of both search engines and users.
- Website Content: Your actual content – the words on your page – is where your keywords should naturally appear. It should make sense and read smoothly for human visitors.
- Headers and Sub-Categories: Break up your content with headings and subheadings. Putting your location keywords in these can guide readers and search engines to what your page is all about.
- Page Links: When you link to other pages on your website, try to use your location keywords as anchor text. This gives users and search engines extra context about the linked content.
SEO services experts in the Netherlands recognize that strategically placing local keywords throughout your website heightens your likelihood of appearing when potential customers search for businesses similar to yours in your vicinity. This approach showcases your understanding of local needs and reinforces your presence in the local market.
Optimising Your Google My Business Account for Local Reach
It’s crucial not to mix up your Google My Business (GMB) listing with a Google Business Profile. Your GMB listing is a separate tool that empowers you to control the information users see when they search for businesses in your category.
If you haven’t established a GMB account yet, it’s a step you should take without delay. The creation of a GMB account comes at no cost. However, considering its noteworthy influence on your search engine rankings, many businesses choose to enlist the assistance of a professional SEO agency to elevate their GMB listing. This is a wise decision considering the various sections that require careful attention.
Along with fundamental business details like company name, address, operating hours, contact information, and website, there are more comprehensive sections to complete. These include details about attributes, products, services, and even Q&A sections.
For those with a GMB account, it’s time to breathe new life into it and ensure you maximise the advantages of Google Maps and local search traffic. Take a moment to explore the address information tab, where you can capitalise on the opportunity to include up to 20 service area locations within your business profile.
Notably, possessing a physical address is optional to incorporate multiple locations into your account. You can seamlessly add these locations to your GMB listing if your services extend to in-home visits or deliveries.
For more insights on GMB listing, read our blog on how to boost your local SEO.
Showcasing Localised Content
Consumers are drawn to local businesses, and a highly effective way to capture local attention is by curating content specifically tailored to your community. Empowered with your location keywords, you can craft blog posts, produce videos, or highlight images that resonate with your specific city. For instance, a florist in Amsterdam might share insights on the best flowers for canal-side homes or create a video guide to tending Dutch tulips.
Consider setting up dedicated pages centred around different locations and integrating local content into your website. This approach proves particularly advantageous if you serve multiple regions. By adopting this strategy, you capture the interest of residents and enhance the potential for improved rankings across various locations.
Partner with a Digital Marketing Agency in the Netherlands to Master Local SEO
No matter where you stand in your business journey – be it a budding start-up, an expansion enthusiast, or a local growth advocate – a laser-focused SEO strategy should be the cornerstone of your operations. The insights shared above merely scratch the surface of how Alpha BPO empowers its clients to amplify their local presence. If you’re eager to forge connections with a wider customer base, don’t hesitate to connect with Alpha BPO NL.
As a seasoned web design and online marketing agency in the Netherlands, we boast an intimate understanding of the local landscape, ensuring you embark on a journey of local SEO success fortified by experience and expertise.