Boat shoppers have plenty of options, so making sure your listings catch their eye is key. This is where search engine optimization (SEO) keywords and specific messaging can be a helpful tool to elevate your for-sale boat listings. We’ve previously shared a dedicated merchandising resource page filled with data-driven insights and tools to support your strategy. Today, Boatmart is taking it a step further. We’re sharing tips on how to incorporate keywords and messaging into your merchandising approach to help you capture more attention and drive stronger results.
WHAT ARE SEO KEYWORDS?
SEO keywords are words you can add to your online boat listings to improve the listing’s search engine ranking. This can help optimize your listings based on what prospective buyers are already shopping for and improve your website’s ranking so shoppers see it higher on a search engine.
TYPES OF KEYWORDS
There are two types of keywords that you should know about.
Head keywords, also known as “head terms,” are shorter keywords that generate a larger search volume. These tend to be broad and target a wide audience. Some examples of head keywords include: pontoon boat for sale, used fishing boat, center console boat dealer. While these are helpful to have on your website, they’re also more difficult to rank for.
Long-tail keywords are longer, more descriptive search terms and phrases. These target more specific searches and can be easier to rank for on a search engine. Some examples of long-tail keywords include: used pontoon boat for sale in Tampa Bay or pre-owned Boston Whaler in stock near me.
RESEARCH KEYWORDS
Before you start implementing keywords in your for-sale boat listings, take some time to do research. Start by using a search engine, such as Google, to look up related searches. This is an excellent way to find high-impact keywords that people are already searching for.
There are also free and paid keyword research tools you can use that will select keywords for you to implement. If you’re listing on Boatmart, the market insights tool can be an excellent way to gain deeper insights and a more robust set of data.
WHERE TO INCLUDE KEYWORDS
Your listing’s description isn’t the only place you can incorporate keywords. Here are a few other places to add keywords on your website: URL, H1 header, meta title and description, and image alt text.
Adding keywords to these places on your website, in addition to your boat listings themselves, can help boost your website on search engines.
USING KEYWORDS SUCCESSFULLY
While there are several places you can incorporate keywords on your website and boat listings, be sure not to just throw them everywhere. Be strategic and make sure your use of the keywords comes across clearly and naturally. “Keyword stuffing” happens when you overload your website with keywords. This can be annoying for shoppers to read, and search engines may penalize you for it.
TRACK THE SUCCESS OF YOUR KEYWORDS
Once a week or at least once a month, you should look at your website’s analytics to see what keywords are performing well. Be sure to analyze the search volume — how many people are searching for these terms? This type of tracking can also help you monitor any trends from boat shoppers. Are your shoppers more interested in fishing boats than pontoon boats? Keyword analytics can help you figure this out.
If you don’t have access to your website’s traffic and analytics, add a reporting system like Google Search Console to your website. This is a great way to find the keywords that are driving traffic to your website and listings. Plus, this is a free tool.
Shoppers are inundated with countless listings for for-sale boats, so it’s important to capture their attention early on. Implementing keywords and messaging as a marketing strategy can get more eyes on your boat listings and ultimately lead to a sale. Ready to boost your inventory views? Explore Boatmart’s resources and data-driven insights to help you strengthen your merchandising strategy and get more eyes on your listings.
