Step-by-Step SEO for Interior Designers Starting From Scratch
I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating—we get to work with so many super-talented small business owners here at Bell & Whistle. And it’s been so great to highlight our real estate and med spa friends, but today we’re going all in for our creative visionary pals and talking about SEO for interior designers! Part of what we do at Bell & Whistle is helping our clients be as exceptional as possible (we’re pretty good at it, too…just sayin’), and that means giving you the tools to make that happen—and in today’s market, SEO is an incredibly important one to utilize.
And I know SEO can sound like a whole new world, especially if you’re an interior designer who’s just starting to dabble in digital marketing. But here’s the thing, it’s not as complex as it sounds, and once you get the basics down, you’ll be able to attract more clients and make your work stand out online. Here’s the other thing—we’re here to help! We’re going to walk you through a step-by-step guide to SEO for interior designers, helping you to build a solid foundation—even if you're just starting out!
Why SEO Matters for Interior Designers
First things first—why should interior designers even care about SEO? Excellent place to start. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is all about enhancing your website to rank higher on search engines like Google. SEO for interior designers means helping your website show up when potential clients search for services like yours. So, when someone searches for “luxury interior designer in [your location],” your beautiful work and services appear on the first page of search results. Implementing SEO for interior design websites not only improves brand visibility, but it increases your chance of being found by clients who are ready to work with you—and those are our favorite kinds of clients, right?
It’s also super important to note that SEO is evolving beyond just Google. And while Google is still the OG, dominant search tool, the way people discover information is changing and expanding across multiple platforms. Instead of Search Engine Optimization, now it’s far more like Search Everywhere Optimization. That seemingly small switch in approach emphasizes the importance of optimizing your presence wherever potential clients are searching—whether that's TikTok, YouTube, or even AI tools like ChatGPT, or other digital spaces. Great, right? But what’s that mean and why does this matter for you? For interior designers, this means thinking beyond traditional search engines and building visibility on platforms where your target audience is actively engaging. By broadening your SEO strategy to include different channels, designers can stay competitive, reach a wider audience, and showcase your expertise in fresh, creative ways.
Step 1: Finding the Right Interior Design Keywords
Understanding Interior Design Keywords
Keywords are…well, key. And not to oversimplify, but keywords are the phrases people type into search engines. If someone’s looking for an interior designer, they might search for terms like “interior designer near me” or “modern home design ideas.” To boost your SEO, you need to know which terms potential clients are using to find services like yours. These terms are your interior design keywords and should be at the core of your SEO strategy.
How to Find Interior Design Keywords
Use Free Tools: Tools like Semrush, Ubersuggest, and AnswerThePublic can show you popular search terms in your industry. Start with broad terms like “interior designer,” and refine based on your specific niche, like “eco-friendly interior design” or “kitchen remodel ideas.”
Focus on Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search terms, like “minimalist interior designer in [your city].” These tend to have less competition, so they’re often easier to rank for.
Incorporate Secondary Keywords Naturally: Keywords like “how to design a home office” and “smart home interior design” can be sprinkled throughout your content to help your site appear in search results.
Step 2: Structure Interior Design Websites for Easy Navigation
Site Structure Basics
The way interior design sites are organized can have a huge impact on SEO. A well-structured website makes it easy for users—and search engines—to find the most important pages on your site. Google’s algorithms are designed to prioritize interior design websites that are clear, logical, and user-friendly, so organizing your site correctly will help it rank higher.
Tips for Organizing Interior Design Sites
Clear Menus and Navigation: Your site’s main menu should include essential pages, like Home, About, Portfolio, Services, Blog, and Contact. Each page should be easy to find and shouldn’t require more than a couple of clicks.
Simplify URLs: For SEO purposes, use descriptive URLs. Instead of “yourdesignsite.com/p=123,” try “yourdesignsite.com/living-room-remodels.”
Add Internal Links: Link to other relevant pages within your site. For example, if you’re writing a blog post on “Top Kitchen Design Trends,” link to your portfolio page showcasing kitchen remodels. Internal links help guide visitors through your site and keep them engaged.
Step 3: Create SEO-Optimized Content That Adds Value
Why Content is Important in SEO for Interior Designers
Content is one of the most important pieces of the SEO puzzle. Great content—whether it’s blog posts, portfolio descriptions, or service pages—helps you rank for specific keywords and gives visitors a reason to stick around. Plus, content is your chance to showcase your expertise, build trust, and engage potential clients.
Content Ideas for Interior Design Websites
Write Engaging Blog Posts: Blogging is a fantastic way to add fresh content to your site. Write posts that answer common client questions or address popular design trends. Use keywords naturally—like “color trends for interiors” or “vintage decor ideas”—within each post.
Detailed Project Pages: Create a portfolio with individual pages for each project. Describe the project, challenges you faced, and solutions you implemented, using relevant keywords.
Service Pages That Speak to Clients: Instead of simply listing your services, explain what each service entails and how it benefits the client. Use keywords like “virtual interior decorator” or “sustainable interior design” to attract the right traffic to these pages.
Step 4: Master On-Page SEO Basics
Important On-Page SEO Elements
On-page SEO refers to all the elements you can optimize directly on each webpage to improve its search ranking (and earn more relevant traffic). Here’s a checklist of on-page essentials for SEO for interior designers.
Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: These are the headlines and summaries that appear in search engine results. Make sure each page has a unique title and meta description that includes your primary keywords. For example, a title tag like “Luxury Interior Designers | [Your Business Name]” and a meta description that showcases your expertise will attract clicks.
Use Header Tags (H1, H2, H3): Use headers to organize your content. For example, your primary keyword “affordable interior design” could appear in an H1 tag on your homepage, with secondary keywords in H2 or H3 tags throughout other pages.
Alt Text for Images: Interior design sites often showcase beautiful images. Adding alt text—a short description of each image—helps search engines understand your content and can even improve your rankings in Google Images.
Step 5: Create a Google Business Profile to Boost Local SEO
Why a Google Business Profile Matters
If you want to attract local clients, having a Google Business Profile is going to be incredibly helpful. It’s a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears in Google Search and Google Maps. For interior designer websites, it’s a chance to showcase your services, portfolio, and contact information right where potential clients are searching. A well-maintained Google Business Profile makes it easy for clients to find and connect with you, while also giving your interior design website an extra boost in local search visibility.
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Fill Out Every Section: Include your business name, address, phone number, website, and a detailed description of your services.
Add High-Quality Photos: Showcase your best projects with professional images. Google loves profiles with visuals, and so do potential clients!
Collect Reviews: Don’t be shy--ask happy clients to leave reviews! Positive reviews not only build trust but also improve your ranking in local search results.
Keep It Updated: Regularly update your profile with new photos, posts, and any changes to your business hours or services.
Step 6: Keep Track of Your SEO Progress
Track and Refine Your Strategy
We’ve stepped our way all the way here—to the analytics (it sounds intimidating, but we promise it’s not)! Once you’ve implemented SEO for interior designers strategy, you need to track your progress. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console can help you track your site’s performance, showing you where your traffic comes from and which keywords are driving visitors to your site. Regularly monitoring these metrics will allow you to adjust your strategy as needed and keep refining your interior design keywords and content based on what’s working.
Keep Learning and Stay Adaptable
The biggest thing about SEO for interior designers is that it isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. It’s an ongoing process. The digital landscape evolves constantly, and staying on top of new trends and updates will keep your site relevant. Spend time each month reviewing what’s working and tweaking things to get better results. The more you adapt, the more you’ll continue to attract clients looking for an expert interior designer like you!
Ready to Step Up Your SEO Game?
And there you have it, friends! I’m confident that you’ve got a great starting point, and are already on your way to a strong foundation in SEO for interior designers—making it easier for potential clients to find your interior design website and connect with you! My best advice is to embrace SEO as a tool for growth, and watch as your online presence leads to more inquiries, more bookings, and more satisfied clients—which we love.
Need some extra help bringing it all together? At Bell & Whistle Design Studio, we specialize in creating beautiful, user-friendly websites for interior designers who want to be exceptional and stand out. From tailored SEO strategies to complete website redesigns, we’ll make sure your online presence is just as stunning as your work. Reach out today to see how we can help elevate your brand and bring more clients to your door!
