Using Keywords to Help Local Business Improve SEO Rank.
Want to learn how to use keywords to help improve SEO rank? Here are three tips to help you get started. 3 minutes read
How Can You Use Keywords to Improve SEO Rank?
What is a Keyword?
Yoast describes a "keyword" as"
More simply, a keyword is a term people use to search for something they are looking for online. If you are looking for a pizza for dinner, you type in "pizza" into Google, and Google then gives you the search results. In this example, "pizza" is a keyword.
What is SEO?
SEO, aka search engine optimization, aims to increase search engine traffic to your website using organic (not paid advertising) search results. Your potential diners see these results when they're searching for restaurants to visit.
One of the top ways to improve your SEO ranking is by including various keywords into your digital content (website, blog, or business listings). The key to success is to use a variety of the best keywords for your restaurant.
If you operate a pizza restaurant, you would have keywords that include "pizza" in your content.
The Different Types of Keywords.
Keywords have three main areas:
1. Short-Tail Keywords
Short-tail keywords are precise.
Short-tail keywords are short (one or two words), think "pizza" or "pizza restaurant."
While these short-tail keywords may seem appealing due to their simplicity, the truth is that your restaurant will not appear at the top of Google search results for these keywords.
Why?
Large companies and big brands dominate short-tail keywords.
2. Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are less common than short-tailed keywords (because they have more words), but they're more specific to your restaurant's online content. Long-tail keywords are also less competitive, which enables your restaurant to rank higher in Google search results.
Using various longer keyword phrases, you'll attract customers searching for combinations of these keywords in Google searches.
If you operate a pizza parlor known for its "family-friendly atmosphere" or its "gluten-free pizza crust," you'll want to employ these keywords in your digital content.
3. Location-based Keywords
Location-based keywords are keywords that are specific to your restaurant's physical location.
If you own a pizza restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, you'll want to use those keywords in your digital content.
Using location-based keywords, you'll not only attract someone looking for a pizza restaurant but someone looking for a pizza restaurant in your neighborhood and your city.
What Not to Do When Using Keywords to Improve SEO Rank.
Now that we have defined what keywords are and how to use keywords to improve SEO rank, here's what you should not be doing.
Keyword Stuffing
It is tempting to pick every keyword under the sun related to your pizza restaurant and stuff those key phrases into your content, called keyword stuffing (bad).
Search engines reward relevant and high-quality content over quantity. So stuffing your site with irrelevant or repetitive keyword content can be detrimental to your SEO ranking.
Trying to Manipulate Search Results.
As search engines have improved their algorithms, they have started to penalize websites that try to "game" the system (i.e., keyword stuffing).
Using "black hat" techniques are a sure way to get your website penalized in the following search engine update.
Putting it into our "pizza" restaurant terminology: if you buy old and spoiled pepperoni because it is cheap, you might save a few dollars on ingredients. However, when all of your customers go to the hospital with food poisoning, they most likely will not return.
Timeless SEO Techniques.
Quality never goes out of style. Focus on quality content that helps your customers and tells your story. Remember that SEO is a long-term project, and your rankings will build over time - the same way you have created a following at your restaurant.
Local SEO is critical to restaurant success. Here is a 10 step guide to boosting your site rank to help you get started.