Barbershop SEO Guide (for Local Barbers)
Ranking on Google for barbershop near me is an attainable goal. You’ll need a website, Google My Business listing, and some reputable local citations to have a chance. Factors like local competition will determine how challenging it is to rank your business #1 on Google Maps and Google Search. Serpmatic has compiled a Barbershop SEO Guide to help you show up on a search in 2020 and beyond.
What is Barbershop SEO?
Barbershop SEO is an intentional refinement of a barbershop’s web presence to generate more clicks through the Google search engine. Any tactic used to boost rankings, visibility, or click-through rate is a form of search engine optimization.
Claiming Your Google My Business (GMB) Listing
Most people who look for a barbershop online make their decision based on Google’s local map pack. There’re a few reasons for this. First, it is the most visible collection of search results. Since most searchers are on their phones, the immediate visibility makes a significant difference. Second, local map results are accompanied by reviews that heavily influence consumer behavior. Both the volume and sentiment of reviews impact which shop consumers choose. Here’s an example of local map pack results for a barbershop near me query near Fort Worth, TX:
You won’t compile hundreds of reviews immediately, but the quicker you activate your listing, the faster you’ll start getting them. To claim your business listing, visit google.com/business, and follow this guide. Once you verify your listing (via postcard) and add your business information like name, address, and phone number, you can further optimize your listing. Consider adding your website URL, uploading a logo and business photos, and answering frequently asked questions on the Q&A section.
Setting Up Your Barbershop Business Website
Claiming your free GMB listing is a significant first step. It might be enough for barbers in lower competition markets who lack the funding for an advanced marketing campaign. Shops in major metropolitan areas will have to take their efforts a step further, at least. The next logical step is publishing a business website. Traditionally, sites have been the focal point of SEO. It wasn’t until the emergence of the local map pack, that website clicks decreased. Still, a website’s presence serves as an additional traffic source and a valuable digital asset that strengthens associated properties and expands brand awareness.
Many barbers have a website that lacks optimization or, in some cases, thoughtful design. Owning a domain name is valuable nonetheless, especially if you’ve had it for several years, and it matches either the name of your business or a relevant keyword term. For barbers without a domain name, purchasing one from a provider like SiteGround or GoDaddy is necessary. Since a website requires hosting, you can save money by buying a domain name and hosting plan from the same provider. Hosting platforms like SiteGround sometimes provide a free domain name with your initial hosting plan. Hosting starts at as little as $3.95 per month.
Once you have a host and domain name, you will need to install a Content Management System. WordPress is the most popular CMS on the marketplace, and the one Serpmatic recommends for barbershops. Most hosts provide 1-click WordPress installations, which require zero technical skills. After installing WordPress, you’ll want to download a WordPress Theme. Free barbershop themes are available on the open marketplace, and you can download and activate them for publication.
Performing Keyword Research
As a barber, you should research which keywords you want your website (and GMB listing) to rank for. Phrases like barbers near me are obvious targets, but niche terms like stylized beard trim or old-school barbershop may be equally valuable to the right business. Tools like MOZ and SEMRush produce keyword metrics and suggestions for local shops. Free alternatives like Wordtracker are less reliable but freely accessible. You can also hire a digital marketing agency to perform these kinds of tasks on your behalf. Their monthly retainer would be all-inclusive so that each of the functions outlined in this guide would get done as a service.
Producing Quality Content
Websites generally have two types of content, pages and posts. Pages represent services like beard trims, straight razors, hair coloring, etc. Posts target related subject matter like what to look for in a barber, the top haircut styles of 2020, etc. Content marketing is one of the essential means through which to build more visitors. You can share blog posts on social media platforms and Google My Business listings. Quality blog posts can even earn links from other websites, boosting your website’s overall domain authority. As your content generates more external links, internal links distribute its equity to your service pages, which can then rank higher.
Creating Social Media Profiles
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are valuable for local barbers. Facebook serves as both a business citation and a community for potential clients, and users can review your business on Facebook and follow your business page. Social media platforms give shops a forum to provide important updates about specials, holidays, and openings. Visually driven platforms like Instagram provide a platform on which to share your best work. Consumers respond to short videos and images of your clients looking their best after a fresh cut. For the most ambitious of barbers, YouTube becomes an additional social media option.
Why Listen to Serpmatic?
Serpmatic thinks they know everything, right? No, not really. At Serpmatic, we provide free guides for small business owners to help them excel online. Business owners can perform SEO tasks on their own as long as they have the correct information. Some barbershops prefer to pay someone else to execute an SEO strategy, which is perfectly fine. It is crucial, however, to choose a reputable SEO company that provides real value for its price. The marketing industry is susceptible to scam artists and people who take advantage of small businesses. Before choosing an SEO company, ensure you monitor their reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Facebook, and Yelp. Contact us to ask for recommendations.