
18/11/2024
5 Local SEO Keyword Mistakes That Could Hurt Your Rankings
Getting your website to rank in local search results requires a smart keyword strategy. Avoid these common keyword mistakes to improve your local SEO performance:
1. Ignoring Local Search Volume
A keyword with high national search volume may seem promising, but if it lacks search demand in your local area, it won't drive relevant traffic. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify keywords that resonate with your local audience.
2. Targeting Too Many Keywords on One Page
Attempting to rank for multiple keywords on a single page can dilute its effectiveness. For local SEO, dedicate individual pages to specific services or locations for better rankings. For example, create separate pages for "plumbing in Chicago" and "plumbing in Evanston."
3. Not Clustering Related Keywords
While targeting specific keywords is essential, failing to group closely related local terms into one page can also hurt your strategy. For instance, keywords like "best pizza in Brooklyn" and "top pizza places in Brooklyn" may work better together on a single page.
Pro Tip: Balancing points 2 and 3 is key—decide based on user intent and the competitiveness of the keywords.
4. Over-Optimizing Local Keywords
Stuffing your pages with repetitive local terms like "best pizza in Chicago" ten times in a paragraph won't help—it’ll hurt. Write naturally and focus on delivering useful content while integrating keywords seamlessly.
5. Competing with Established Competitors
If you’re a new local business, avoid going head-to-head with dominant competitors for high-competition keywords like "Chicago real estate." Start with more specific, less competitive terms like "affordable apartments in Lincoln Park."
By avoiding these local SEO keyword mistakes, you can drive more relevant traffic and improve your visibility in local search results. Share this with others to help them optimize their strategy!