In the world of digital marketing, ranking for competitive keywords is the ultimate goal for many businesses striving to improve their visibility on search engines. With thousands, if not millions, of websites competing for similar keywords, achieving top rankings can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, with the right strategies, it's possible to outshine the competition.
While general SEO tactics play a huge role, businesses that focus on Local SEO can leverage specific approaches that will not only help them rank for competitive keywords but also boost their visibility within local search results. In this blog, we’ll explore practical methods for ranking for competitive keywords with an emphasis on Strong Local SEO strategies.
What Are Competitive Keywords?
Competitive keywords refer to search terms that have a high search volume and attract significant competition among various businesses or websites. These keywords usually have a larger number of high-authority websites targeting them. For example, a term like “digital marketing” is highly competitive because it is relevant to a broad audience and widely used by numerous companies.
In contrast, Local SEO keywords might be less competitive, such as “best digital marketing agency in [city name]” or “affordable web design in [location].” While these local keywords may have lower search volume, they are highly targeted and often lead to higher conversions due to the searcher’s intent to find services near them.
How to Rank for Competitive Keywords: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Conduct Thorough Keyword Research
The first step in ranking for competitive keywords is selecting the right keywords to target. Keyword research is essential to understand which phrases your target audience is searching for. Start by identifying both competitive and long-tail keywords that are relevant to your business.
For example, while “digital marketing” is a competitive keyword, a more localized version like “digital marketing services in [your city]” could be less competitive and easier to rank for.
Tools to Use for Keyword Research:
Google Keyword Planner: Great for finding keyword volume and competition.
SEMrush: Provides insights on keyword difficulty and volume.
Ahrefs: Helps identify keyword gaps and opportunities.
Moz Keyword Explorer: Gives keyword suggestions and SERP analysis.
By targeting Local SEO keywords and long-tail variations, you can cut through the competition and position your website for success in local search results.
2. Create High-Quality, Relevant Content
Creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience is one of the most effective ways to rank for competitive keywords. For competitive keywords, your content must provide more value, be more comprehensive, and be more engaging than that of your competitors.
Here’s how you can improve your content:
Answer Search Intent: Ensure your content answers the user’s query fully. Google’s algorithm favors content that solves problems and provides comprehensive answers.
Use Multimedia: Include images, videos, and infographics to make your content more engaging and shareable.
Optimize for Featured Snippets: Structure your content to increase the chances of appearing in featured snippets, which can significantly improve your visibility in competitive keyword searches.
When working with Strong Local SEO, make sure that the content you create also speaks to your local audience. For instance, if you run a digital marketing business in a specific city, your content should incorporate local references, landmarks, or community events.
3. Leverage On-Page SEO Optimization
On-page SEO is the foundation for ranking competitive keywords. Ensure that every page targeting competitive keywords is optimized for search engines. This includes:
Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Use your target keywords in both title tags and meta descriptions while making sure they are compelling to users.
URL Structure: Create clean and readable URLs that include your target keywords.
Header Tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content and include relevant keywords in these headers.
Internal Linking: Link to other pages within your website to help Google crawl and index your content more effectively.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is fully responsive. Mobile-friendliness is a ranking factor for both competitive and local keywords.
Additionally, make sure that your content is well-structured and easy to read. Search engines prioritize content that is user-friendly, and this is especially important when targeting Local SEO keywords where users are looking for localized solutions quickly.
4. Implement Local SEO Best Practices
When ranking for competitive keywords with a local twist, Local SEO becomes incredibly important. Here’s how to optimize your site for local search:
Google My Business (GMB): Create or claim your Google My Business listing. This helps your business appear in local searches and Google Maps, improving your chances of ranking for local keywords.
NAP Consistency: Ensure your business Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across your website and other local directories. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings.
Local Citations: List your business on local directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and other industry-specific platforms to increase your online presence.
Localized Content: Create blog posts and other content specifically for your local area. For example, you can write about local events, partnerships, or community involvement that ties your business to your city or region.
By leveraging Strong Local SEO practices, you’ll not only increase your chances of ranking for competitive keywords, but also make sure you’re attracting the right local audience who’s ready to convert.
5. Build Quality Backlinks
Backlinks remain one of the most powerful ranking factors. The more high-quality, authoritative backlinks you have pointing to your website, the more likely you are to rank for competitive keywords. However, when focusing on Local SEO, you’ll want to prioritize backlinks from local sources.
Effective Link Building Strategies Include:
Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, influencers, and media outlets to earn backlinks from authoritative local websites.
Guest Blogging: Contribute valuable content to local blogs or industry-specific sites in exchange for a backlink.
Local Sponsorships and Events: Sponsor local events, charities, or organizations. These often come with opportunities to receive backlinks from event websites.
By earning local backlinks, you’ll help Google associate your website with both your local area and the competitive keywords you're targeting.
6. Optimize for Local Search Intent
When ranking for competitive keywords, it’s important to understand the search intent behind local queries. For example, someone searching for “best restaurant in [city]” has a very specific local intent. To capture this traffic, you should focus on:
Local Landing Pages: If you have multiple locations, create a unique landing page for each location with tailored content to address local search intent.
Use Schema Markup: Adding schema markup to your site helps search engines understand your location, hours of operation, and other relevant details, which can help you rank for local searches.
Optimizing your content for local search intent ensures that your business shows up in search results when people are actively looking for services in their area.
7. Measure and Adjust Your Strategy
Finally, continually monitor and evaluate your SEO efforts. Tools like Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can provide insights into your keyword rankings, traffic, and backlink profile. Regularly check for areas of improvement, and adjust your strategy as needed to stay ahead of the competition.