Maple Ranking - Online Knowledge Base - 2025-11-17

Keyword Research for Different Business Types: E-Commerce, Services, and Local Businesses

Keyword research differs by business type—e-commerce, services, and local businesses—because each has distinct customer intents, search behaviours, and content needs.

For E-commerce businesses, keyword research focuses on identifying commercially relevant keywords that drive sales. The process involves:

  • Brainstorming seed keywords based on products and customer language.
  • Expanding the list using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, or Ahrefs.
  • Categorizing keywords by intent: commercial investigation (researching before buying), transactional (ready to buy), and post-purchase (support-related).
  • Mapping keywords to specific pages such as product pages, category pages, and blog posts.
  • Prioritizing keywords based on search volume, relevance, buyer intent, and competition.
  • Continuously updating the keyword list and incorporating seasonal or trending keywords to capture timely traffic.

For Service-based businesses, keyword research should emphasize the services offered and the problems customers seek to solve. Key steps include:

  • Listing core services and thinking from the customer's perspective about how they would search.
  • Using keyword modifiers like “near me,” “affordable,” or location-specific terms (city, neighbourhood).
  • Including problem-related and question keywords that reflect customer pain points or informational needs.
  • Grouping keywords by location, intent, and funnel stage to optimize content for local SEO and service promotion.
  • Ensuring consistent business name, address, and phone number (NAP) across listings and website to boost local search rankings.

For Local businesses, keyword research is highly location-centric and intent-driven:

  • Start with service terms combined with local modifiers such as “in [city],” “near me,” or landmarks.
  • Focus on keywords with commercial intent that local customers use to find immediate services.
  • Analyze search volume and competition, paying attention to advertiser bids as indicators of commercial value.
  • Organize keywords by location and intent, and optimize Google Business Profile and website content accordingly.
  • Encourage customer reviews mentioning services and locations to naturally incorporate local keywords.

Summary Table:

Business Type Keyword Focus Keyword Examples Content Mapping Tools & Techniques
E-commerce Product-related, buyer intent, commercial “buy wireless earbuds,” “best gaming laptop 2025” Product pages, category pages, blogs Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, Ahrefs; semantic keywords; competitor analysis; seasonal trends
Services Service terms, problem-solving, location-based “plumber near me,” “affordable tax consultant Toronto” Service pages, FAQs, blog posts Local keyword modifiers; grouping by intent and location; NAP consistency
Local Businesses Location + service, immediate need, commercial “wedding photographer in Vancouver,” “24-hour locksmith downtown” Google Business Profile, local landing pages, reviews Local SEO tools; bid analysis; customer reviews for natural keywords

This tailored approach ensures keywords align with user intent and business goals, improving search visibility and conversion potential for each business type.

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