
If you offer a service, your website is often your first impression with a potential customer. Whether you’re a roofer in Nanaimo or a massage therapist in Parksville, effective keyword research ensures you show up when someone’s looking for exactly what you do on google and other search engines.
Think of it like this: would you rather get 10,000 random visitors, or 100 who are ready to call and book? Specific keyword research filters out the browsers and connects you with people ready to act.
Quick Takeaway
The more the keywords for your website match your ideal customer’s search results, the more likely they are to find, and hire you.
Google is like a giant library. Search engine optimization is how you label your content so the librarian knows where to shelve it, and when to recommend it.
If your page includes terms like “24-hour plumbing in Parksville,” you’re telling Google, “Show this when someone has an emergency in this area.” The better your SEO, the more likely you’ll appear when it matters.
Fact
About 75% of people never scroll past the first page of their Google search. If you’re not there, you’re likely not seen.
Keywords are the connection point between what people search and what you offer.
If someone searches “spring yard cleanup Qualicum Beach,” and you’ve included that phrase on your site, you’re one step closer to getting the call. The more specific your target keywords, the better your chances of showing up for real customer searches.
Pro Tip
Use local, service-specific relevant keywords. They’re easier to rank for and bring in the right traffic.
Paid search is like renting a billboard—you pay for every click.
Organic search is like planting a seed—you nurture it and watch it grow.
With paid ads, you’re visible instantly but pay continuously. Organic search takes more time but becomes an asset that generates free traffic long-term.
Best Approach
Use paid ads when speed matters, but focus on organic for steady, cost-effective visibility.
Start by thinking like your customer. What would someone search if they needed your help?
Example:
“24/7 HVAC tech in Nanaimo”
“best family dentist Parksville”
“sprinkler repair near me”
Make a list of:
Services you offer
Locations you serve
Problems you solve
These combinations turn into powerful local keywords and phrases
Use SEO tools to validate your ideas and find more.
Google Keyword Planner: Free and reliable for high search volume and keyword ideas.
SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool: Deep insights and competitive keyword data.
Ahrefs Keyword Explorer: Great for spying on competitors and finding keyword gaps.
Bonus Tools:
Ubersuggest: Simple and beginner-friendly.
AnswerThePublic: Reveals real questions people ask.
KeywordTool.io: Good for long-tail keyword discovery.
You’re looking for balance: decent search volume with manageable competition.
Avoid broad, high keyword difficulty search terms like “plumber.” Instead, go for more specific, local searches like “plumber for hot water tank Parksville.”
The Goal of Keyword Research: Get targeted traffic, not just a lot of it.
Not every keyword means the same thing. Intent tells you what the searcher really wants.
Types of search intent:
Informational: “how to unclog a drain”
Navigational: “ABC Plumbing Company”
Transactional: “book HVAC inspection Nanaimo”
Match the Content
Blog posts: Informational
Homepage or About: Navigational
Service pages: Transactional
Start with what’s most relevant to your services and location. Don’t try to rank for everything—focus on the search terms for your site that are most likely to bring in business.
Create keyword clusters:
Group related keywords under one page
Example: “furnace repair,” “heater troubleshooting,” and “no heat in house” all work together
Why it Matters
Keyword clusters help you build stronger, more focused content that ranks better and reads more naturally.
Start with what Google is already showing you.
Use these resources for free keyword research:
Autocomplete: Type your main keyword and see what pops up
People Also Ask: Questions you can turn into blog content
Related Searches: Ideas for similar topics your target audience is looking for
Check out your competitors:
Look at their page titles, headers, and meta descriptions
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to see what they rank for
Build a list of keywords:
Services + Location + Customer problem
Example: “emergency boiler repair Ladysmith” instead of just “boiler repair”
Long-tail research keywords:
Lower search volume but higher intent
Easier to rank for, and they convert better
Once you determine which keywords to use, put them to work in the right places.
Element | What to Do |
---|---|
Page Titles | Put your primary keyword first |
Meta Descriptions | Make it engaging and include your main keyword |
Headers (H1, H2) | Use variations and related phrases |
Body Content | Use keywords naturally; don’t overdo it |
Image Alt Text | Describe what’s in the image using keywords |
Turn keyword ideas into content that brings traffic and builds trust.
Write blog posts that answer customer questions
Add FAQs to your service pages for voice search and SEO
Create dedicated service pages for each offering and location
Example:
Blog: “How to Tell If You Need Furnace Replacement”
FAQ: “Do you work weekends?”
Service page: “Emergency Furnace Repair in Parksville”
Mistakes that waste time and lower your rankings:
Chasing high-volume keywords that don’t convert
Ignoring what your customer is actually trying to do
Keyword stuffing—it sounds bad and it is
Not revisiting your keyword strategy regularly
Fix It
Update your list every 3 to 6 months. Track what’s working. Replace what’s not.
Keyword research isn’t just about getting more clicks. It’s about attracting the right people—those who need your help and are ready to act.
When you show up for the searches that matter, your phone rings more. Your schedule fills up. Your business grows.
Next Steps with King Tide Marketing
Need help choosing keywords or writing content that gets results? We specialize in SEO for service businesses just like yours.
Book your free keyword strategy session or grab our Keyword Starter Pack to get a head start.
Ready to elevate your brand? Contact King Tide Marketing today and let’s create waves together—get in touch now!
We help businesses rank higher, convert faster, and retain more customers with expert SEO, digital ads, email marketing, and lead nurturing. Stop chasing leads—start closing them.
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