If you’re an interior designer trying to build your business, SEO is your new best friend. I get it, SEO sounds like a big scary world of keywords, algorithms, and Google gods, but it’s not as complicated as you think. Trust me. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize how crucial it is to your success. You don’t want to be that amazing interior designer that nobody can find online, right? Thought so.

So, without further ado, here are 10 SEO strategies every interior designer should be using to ensure they’re not lost in the depths of the internet.

1. Use Keywords That Matter

Just like you meticulously choose the right fabric and furniture, you need to be picky about your keywords. Think about what your potential clients are searching for. Keywords like “interior design tips,” “modern living room ideas,” or “interior design companies in London” should pop up in your content. Don’t overstuff your website with them, though—be subtle. Sprinkle them naturally in your blog posts, service pages, and even image descriptions.

2. Local SEO: Get Found in Your Area

Interior design is a highly local business—most of your clients will be searching for designers in their area. That’s why local SEO is a game-changer. First things first, claim your Google My Business listing if you haven’t already. This is like a virtual business card that shows up when someone googles “interior designer near me.”

Next, make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across the web. It might sound small, but even tiny inconsistencies can confuse search engines, and that’s not something you want. Lastly, encourage happy clients to leave Google reviews—these build credibility and trust, which means more clicks, and hopefully, more gigs.

3. Create a Blog (and Keep It Updated)

I know what you’re thinking: “Do I really need a blog?” Yes. Yes, you do. A blog is the perfect place to share your expertise and help potential clients find you. Write about topics that would interest your audience, like “How to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger” or “Top 2024 Interior Design Trends.” Not only does this help you rank for more keywords, but it also shows that you’re an expert in your field. And let’s be honest, Google loves fresh content.

4. Use High-Quality Images and Optimize Them

You’re an interior designer—your visuals matter. But huge, high-resolution images can slow your site down, which, as we covered earlier, is a big no-no. If your website takes forever to load, people will get impatient. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to find out if your website is slow and what you can do to fix it. Compress those huge portfolio images and say goodbye to any clunky, unnecessary plugins. 

In relation to images, your portfolio is probably the most important part of your website. It’s where you showcase your amazing work and convince potential clients that you’re the designer for them. But it’s not enough to just slap some photos up there and call it a day.

Each project should have its own dedicated page with a keyword-rich title and description. Instead of “Living Room Project 1,” try something like “Modern Living Room Design in London.” This way, when someone searches for living room designs in London, your page has a better chance of showing up. And remember, optimize those images too!

5. Build Backlinks to Your Website

Backlinks are like gold in the SEO world. When reputable sites link back to your website, Google sees this as a vote of confidence, and your rankings improve. Reach out to local blogs, design publications, or even satisfied clients who have blogs and ask if they can mention or link to your site.

6. Target Interior Design Keywords

Let’s talk keywords—because they’re the foundation of interior design SEO. If you want people to find you, you need to know what they’re searching for. This means doing some keyword research (don’t worry, it’s not that hard). Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help you figure out what phrases potential clients are using.

You’ll want to target both short-tail keywords (like “interior design”) and long-tail keywords (like “affordable interior designers in [your city]”). Once you’ve got your list, sprinkle these keywords naturally into your website—think blog posts, service pages, and portfolio descriptions. But don’t go overboard. Keyword stuffing is so 2005, and Google’s way too smart for that now.

7. Write Blog Posts That Answer Client Questions

You might not think of yourself as a writer, but blogging is one of the best ways to boost your SEO. Here’s the deal: people search for answers, and Google loves websites that provide them. Think about the common questions clients ask you—how to choose the right color palette, the latest trends in interior design, how to mix and match furniture—and write blog posts that answer these.

When you regularly add fresh, valuable content to your website, you’re telling Google that your site is active and useful. And guess what? That’s exactly what Google wants.

8. Use Internal Linking

Internal linking is one of the simplest (and most overlooked) SEO strategies. It’s exactly what it sounds like—linking from one page on your website to another. Not only does this make it easier for visitors to navigate your site, but it also helps Google understand how your pages are related.

For example, if you’re writing a blog post about “How to Choose the Right Sofa,” and you’ve got a portfolio piece featuring a beautifully designed living room, link to it! The more interconnected your site is, the more time people will spend exploring it—and that’s something Google loves to see.

9. Leverage Social Media for Backlinks

Okay, I know social media isn’t technically SEO, but hear me out. Sharing your content on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and even LinkedIn can drive traffic back to your site. And the more people who visit your site, the better it looks to Google. Plus, if your content is good (and it will be because you’re awesome), others will start linking back to you, which boosts your credibility.

It’s what’s called backlinks, and the more high-quality ones you have, the more Google will see you as an authority in the interior design space. So get out there, share your work, and don’t be shy about asking others to do the same.

10. Track and Adjust

SEO is not a one-and-done kind of deal. You’ve got to keep an eye on your progress and make adjustments along the way. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to see which pages are performing well and which ones could use some love.

Pay attention to things like bounce rate (are people leaving your site quickly?) and keyword rankings (are you climbing up the search results?). The more data you have, the better decisions you can make to keep improving your SEO game.

In Conclusion

So, there you have it—10 essential SEO strategies for interior designers that will help you get found, build your brand, and attract more clients. It might feel like a lot to take in, but don’t worry! Just start with one step at a time. You’ll be climbing the Google ranks in no time! Now, what are you waiting for? Time to get optimizing!