Understanding Keyword Research for the Pet Care Industry
Whether you are a veterinarian, own a dog grooming salon, or have another business in the pet care industry, you need to use search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance your website and bring in more customers. Of course, this is true of any industry, but pet care happens to be highly competitive. In fact, the pet market was estimated to be valued at $246.66 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $427.75 billion by 2032.
That is a lot of dollars spent, but it also represents many old businesses scaling and new companies springing up. If you do not have a good SEO structure, your website will be in the digital wastelands. The backbone of any good SEO strategy is keyword research, and here is how you can use keywords to increase SEO:
What is Pet Industry SEO Keywords?
Before we dive in, let’s get a few terms out of the way. Search engine optimization (SEO), refers to the many enhancements you can make to your website to improve its indexing and crawlability by search engines. In other words, SEO increases the likelihood that Google, Bing, and other search engines will list your website in search results. If you have a strong SEO strategy, your site will be listed in results pages, and it will also be higher in the ranking.
Keywords, as mentioned, are a significant component of SEO. Keywords are the words and phrases you type into a search engine for a specific result. Of course, you can also verbally say a keyword or search phrase into a device like Siri or Alexa.
Why Keyword Research Is Essential for Pet Care Businesses
Having the right keywords on your website makes it more likely that, when a keyword is typed in by a user, it will bring up your website. Thus, by identifying the right keywords, you can build content (such as blogs or landing pages) that will address the needs of your pet care clients.
For a practical example, let’s say someone conducts a search for “maltipoo dog grooming” but this specific keyword is not present on your website. Further, suppose your website has very little content at all making the likelihood of this keyword appearing at all, slim. That means your website will not pull up when a user searches this keyword since it doesn’t have it or uses it sparingly.
It is also essential to remember that the opposite can occur. Overusing the keyword is known as “keyword stuffing” and is considered bad by search engines. Thus, you need a good keyword strategy following search engine guidelines.
How To Find Keywords for the Pet Care Industry
There are many ways you can find the right keywords for your pet care business. Here are a few of our favorites:
Use Keyword Tools to Identify Search Terms
We use several different tools when conducting keyword research. Tools like Google Keyword Planner (through Google Ads), SEMRush, Ahres, etc., all offer a robust platform to find keywords. You can also conduct a Google search and see what other words it recommends for you.
Consider Long-Tail Keywords for Specific Searches
Phrases with three or more words are known as long-tail keywords. These keywords are more focused and frequently suggest a greater conversion rate. To illustrate the point, someone who searches for “affordable dog daycare in Chicago” is going to be more likely to book an immediate stay than someone simply searching for “dog daycare.”
Analyze Competitor Keywords
Some tools we mentioned, such as SEMRush and Ahrefs, also offer competitor research tools on their built-in platforms. You can also peruse your competitor’s website. What content do they have? What keywords do you think they are using? Be very familiar with what your competitor is doing so you can either replicate their success or find new opportunities.
How to Use Pet Care Keywords Effectively
After you have the keywords you want to use, here are various ways that you can incorporate them:
Optimize Website Content
Include the pet industry SEO-friendly keywords on the homepage, services page, and blog of your website. Ensure that the content, headings, and meta descriptions use keywords naturally rather than forcing them into the content.
Create Informative Blog Content
Blogs are a great approach to answering frequently asked topics by pet owners and drawing in organic traffic. Write blog entries with keyword-rich subjects that appeal to your intended readership.
Here are some blog topics to give you an idea:
7 steps to grooming a nervous dog
How to choose the right pet boarding facility in Dallas
Why your pet needs regular vet check-ups
8 dog fashion accessories that will spoil your pooch
Use Keywords for Local SEO
Since most clients will be looking for services nearby, local SEO is essential for pet care companies. Make sure your location and services are reflected in your keywords. For example, using keywords like “vet in Houston” or “LA dog groomer.”
Incorporate Keywords in Social Media and Other Content
Remember to use keywords in your social media content and updates. Social media sites are an extension of your website and can draw in pet owners needing services. It can also be an additional trust signal, especially if you use photos or genuine reviews.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Keyword Strategy
Unlike other marketing aspects, which have limited campaign runs, SEO is a long-term strategy. You need to be consistent with fine-tuning and optimizing your website. Keyword research should be an essential part of your ongoing SEO strategy.
Whether you’re a veterinarian, groomer, pet boarding service, or pet supply store, finding the right keywords and incorporating them into your site can help you step ahead of the pack. And, if you ever need to get more pet care keyword ideas, remember, we’re always here to help!
