How to Find Top Service Keywords for Your Field Service-Based Business
Are you dedicating countless hours to your field service business, but somehow, potential customers aren’t finding you online?
The answer often lies in website SEO – specifically, in the keywords you use. They serve as the bridge connecting your services with the customers who need them the most. By targeting the right keywords, you can make it to the top 10 of search rankings, engaging up to 75% more users, as most searchers never scroll past the first page.
In this article, we’ll outline practical steps to help you identify efficient queries for the field service industry and ensure customers find you first.
Table of Contents
Field Service Keywords: Why They Matter for Your Business
If you’re new to blogging and digital marketing, everything about keywords can make you feel overwhelmed. Luckily, using top SEO software can take the stress away. These tools guide you through each stage of research, from identifying popular queries to analyzing competitors and tracking performance – all in one place.
But first things first, let’s start with the basics.
What Are Keywords? Main Types
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for blogs, information, products, or services. They are the bridge that connects your business with potential customers.
For example, if you offer plumbing services, phrases like “emergency plumber” or “leak repair services” are what potential customers might search for.
Yet, not all relevant business phrases and terms are equal in their value. While short-tail (seed) keywords – consisting of one or two words and covering broad topics – might attract more traffic, they’re often harder to rank for. For example:
- “Plumber”
- “Electrician”
- “HVAC repair”
Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that users search for when they have a clearer intent. They have lower search volumes but less competition, which makes it easier for your website to rank higher in Google results. For example:
- “Emergency plumber in Austin”
- “Licensed electrician for home rewiring”
- “Affordable HVAC repair services near me”
In fact, long-tail queries have a conversion rate of 36%, compared to 11% for short-tail ones, meaning they indeed attract more qualified leads.
The Power of Local SEO
One of the key goals of any field service-based business is to be visible in searches made by people in your area. This is where local keyword optimization steps in – a crucial element in defining the success of SEO for small businesses.
Location-based terms have data about your city, town, or neighborhood:
- “Air conditioning repair in Denver”
- “Lawn care services in Nashville”
- “Best pest control in San Diego”
Defining Your Services and Customer Intent
Here comes the next step – choosing the right keywords for your business. It starts by clearly defining your services and understanding customer intent.
That’s why your first step is to write down all the services you offer and provide as specific as you can. Being specific creates opportunities to target more precise business keywords and phrases.
- General (seed): “Plumbing”
- Specific: “Emergency leak repairs”, “Water heater installation”, “Drain cleaning”, “Pipe replacement”
Each specific service can become a search phrase or part of it. In fact, some potential customers may not find you because they’d be searching for queries you did not know about.
- Service: “Emergency leak repairs”
- Search queries: “24/7 leak repair service”, “Emergency plumber near me”, etc.
Understanding Customer Search Intent
Now that you know what you offer, it’s time to understand what your customers are looking for and why. The three types of search intent are:
- Informational: Users are looking for information (e.g., “How to fix a leaky faucet”).
- Navigational: Users seek a specific page (e.g., “Field Promax login”).
- Transactional: Users are ready to buy or hire a service (e.g., “Book pest control service”).
Understanding search intent is one of the most important factors in effective SEO. When matched to the user’s intent, there’s a higher chance to rank higher and get noticed when users are ready to act.
Finding Keywords That Click: Quick Guide
- Get to know your customer. How would they use to describe your services? Is it “eco-friendly pest control” or maybe “organic pest solutions”?
- Imagine how you’d describe your services to a friend. It helps identify natural, conversational terms that weren’t so obvious before.
- Visit forums, social media groups, and discussion threads. Pay attention to how users talk about issues, solutions, and brands in your field. Some terminology might not be immediately apparent but valuable for targeting.
- Make a list of direct competitors in your area or industry.
- Use one of many SEO tools to identify phrases your competitors rank for.
- Look for keywords where competitors rank highly and identify gaps where you can outperform them.
For example, if a competitor ranks for “Emergency plumbing services,” consider targeting “24-hour emergency plumbing in [your city]” to be more specific and local.
- Hold a brainstorming session to gather common customer concerns and requests.
- Think like a customer. What points and language will they use for their search query?
- Compile these terms into a list of potential keywords.
For example, if customers tend to ask “How quickly can someone fix my HVAC system?”, consider using “fast HVAC repair” or “same-day HVAC service”.
- Explore reviews & testimonials on your website or external platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp.
- Note the phrases and terms customers use to describe your services.
- Look for recurring words or common topics that can be used in target phrases.
There are plenty of user-friendly SEO tools used to conduct keyword research on search volume, competition, and related terms. Google Keyword Planner or AnswerThePublic are some of the easiest and most popular options:
- Input broad terms related to your services.
- Review the suggested keywords for relevance and search volume.
- Choose the top keywords for business with the best balance of volume and competition (difficulty).
Google’s features also offer super easy and quick insights into popular search terms:
- Google Autocomplete: Type in a service you offer into the search bar, and it will autocomplete with popular search queries from users.
- “People Also Ask”: View related questions to your query on the results page. Answering them on your FAQ page can help you rank for long-tail keywords.
And that’s it! You’ve taken important steps toward mastering keyword research for SEO. But what’s next?
Next Up: Stay Proactive And Adapt
Effective keyword research isn’t a one-time task – it’s an ongoing process. To maintain your position in SEO rankings, continue exploring new service keywords, monitoring performance, and adapting your strategy over time. This will help sustain and grow your online presence organically – ensuring you’re still targeting terms that customers use.
