Interior designers are visual storytellers. But in today’s competitive online landscape, even the most stunning portfolio needs one extra layer: search engine visibility.
The good news? You don’t need a big ad budget to stand out locally. You need smart, strategic local SEO that puts you in front of ideal clients searching right now in your area.
Whether you’re a solo designer in a small town or running a studio in a big city, here’s how to make Google your best (and free) referral partner.
What Is Local SEO, Really?
Local SEO is how you help your business show up when someone nearby searches for services like yours. Think:
- interior designer near me
- kitchen renovation [your city]
- modern farmhouse interior design in [your neighborhood]
Unlike traditional SEO that competes nationally, local SEO is about being the best choice on your block, and that’s a lot easier to win.
Step 1: Set Up and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
If you only do one thing, do this.
A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the listing that shows up in Maps and the sidebar when someone searches for your business. It’s also what powers the local “map pack”, those top three businesses shown before all other search results.
Tips to optimize:
- Use your real business name
- Choose the right category (e.g., Interior Designer)
- Add a detailed business description using keywords
- Upload professional photos of your work
- Add your business hours, phone number, and website
- Turn on messaging if you’re available to chat
- Collect and respond to Google reviews
Step 2: Use Location-Based Keywords on Your Website
Google can’t recommend your business for “Scottsdale interior designer” if you never mention Scottsdale.
Here’s where to place local keywords:
- Homepage headline and intro paragraph
- Page titles and meta descriptions
- Service pages
- Blog posts
- Image alt text for your portfolio
Use natural phrases like “serving clients in Atlanta, Buckhead, and Roswell” rather than keyword-stuffing awkward city names.
Step 3: Get Reviews (and Actually Ask for Them)
Social proof isn’t just for Instagram. Google uses reviews as a ranking factor, and your future clients read them.
Ask every happy client to leave a review on your Google Business Profile.
Create a short review request email and send it immediately after a project wrap-up, including a direct link to your review page.
Step 4: Add Location Pages If You Serve Multiple Cities
Let’s say you serve both Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Create a separate page for each city, with localized content, services, and even testimonials.
You don’t need to rewrite your whole site; just tweak the content to highlight what makes working in that location unique.
Example:
- /charleston-interior-designer
- /mount-pleasant-interior-design-services
Step 5: Get Listed in Local Directories
These online directories help boost credibility and visibility:
- Houzz (yes, really even if you don’t pay for ads)
- Yelp
- Angi
- Better Business Bureau
- Local Chamber of Commerce
- Local interior design networks or associations
Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across every listing.
Step 6: Blog with Local Search in Mind
Blogging still matters, but not just about trends. Use blog posts to answer local questions or showcase specific projects:
- How We Designed a Pet-Friendly Home in Minneapolis
- Top Paint Colors for Historic Charleston Homes
- Before and After: A Family Home Renovation in Portland’s West Hills
Step 7: Don’t Forget About Your Portfolio Pages
When uploading new project photos, include:
- Alt text with location keywords
- A short project description like “Mid-century living room in San Antonio”
- Tags like “Austin condo redesign” or “Boho bedroom in Tempe”
Your project pages are great places to sneak in local SEO without making your site feel keyword-heavy.
Step 8: Use Instagram Geotags and Highlights Strategically
Every time you post a project photo, use a geotag for the city you’re targeting. Clients searching in that area might discover you by location.
Create Highlights named after neighborhoods or cities you serve:
- San Diego
- Old Town Scottsdale
- Downtown LA Lofts
Local SEO Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need to hire an agency or spend thousands. You just need to:
- Show up where your dream clients are searching
- Tell Google what you do and where
- Build trust through reviews and local content
When your next client searches “interior designer near me,” you’ll be ready.
Start Here, Grow from There
Start with your Google Business Profile, clean up your website keywords, and make asking for reviews a habit.
One simple change at a time, this is how designers grow smarter, not just louder.
This is great high-level but neatly organize article that everyone with a website should strongly consider- I have recently overhauled my Google Business Profile and website – and was amazed how nearly every element is either crawled or searched by google. Now we must also factor in AI bots crawl sites. Both function uniquely. I use Chatgpt as my guide with a heavy dose of my own instinct after learning from the process. Fortunately, I built my own website and know the software. This is a real money saver if you can handle it and have time. Consider all social channels as a network funnel so the SEO branding needs to be consistent. Thanks for bringing this subject to the front.