. Search terms often include broad keywords like “financial planning” and more specific long-tail keywords that reveal a person’s readiness to take action.
- “how to save for retirement”: Answers questions about the process and provides valuable guidance.
- “what is financial planning”: Defines the concept for users who are in the early stages of their research.
- “how to improve your credit score”: Addresses a common financial pain point and provides actionable advice.
- “best budgeting apps”: Targets users looking for tools to manage their personal finances.
- “what is a mutual fund”: Explains a specific investment vehicle to those learning about investing.
- “financial advisor near me”: Focuses on local search, capturing users looking for a nearby professional.
- “fee-only financial advisor”: Targets a specific type of financial professional that some clients prefer.
- “open a savings account”: Captures users ready to take action with a banking service.
- “certified financial planner in [city]”: A highly specific, local search term indicating a strong intent to hire.
- “business loan rates”: Targets business owners investigating financing options.
- Superlative-focused: Use terms like “best invoice factoring” or “top merchant cash advance” to attract clients searching for the highest-rated solutions.
- Problem/solution-focused: Target phrases that address specific business issues, such as “commercial insurance” or “small business insurance“.
- Cost/value-related: Use keywords that focus on pricing and value, such as “business loan rates“.
- Purchasing process: Keywords that refer to the buying process, like “small business loan application process,” are useful for capturing late-stage leads.
- “financial advisor [city, state]”: Specifies the geographic area, attracting high-intent local prospects.
- “best credit union near me”: Captures users looking for local banking options.
- “wealth management [city]”: A local search for a specific service.
- “retirement planning near me”: Targets users seeking local retirement planning assistance.
- Research your audience and competitors: Understand your customers’ pain points and the language they use to search for solutions. Use competitor analysis tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to see what keywords your rivals are targeting.
- Use keyword research tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner can provide data on search volume, competition, and related keywords.
- Create educational content: Write in-depth content that doesn’t focus on direct selling to help users understand complex financial topics. This builds authority and attracts valuable backlinks.
- Optimize for different keyword types: Include broad terms in your service descriptions while also creating targeted content that uses longer, more specific keywords. This strategy covers all stages of the customer’s journey.
- Focus on E-E-A-T: For financial services, search engines emphasize Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Showcase your credentials and provide accurate, high-quality content to signal credibility.