Having a gorgeous portfolio isn't enough anymore for interior designers looking to grow their business. If you want new clients to find you, you need to also stand out online. When potential clients search for someone to transform their space, you want your name to pop up first!
Whether you're just starting out or looking to attract more high-end clients, these SEO tips for interior designers will help you connect with people who need your creative eye. Let's dive into nine simple ways to boost your visibility and get your designs in front of the right people.
1. Know What Your Dream Clients Are Searching For
The foundation of good SEO for interior decorators starts with understanding what your potential clients type into Google.
Are they searching for "modern farmhouse kitchen ideas" or "small apartment solutions"? Maybe it's more high end, "luxury master bedroom design" or the opposite "budget-friendly living room makeover"?
You don't need fancy tools to start, just put yourself in your clients' shoes. What would you search for if you needed your services? Make a list of these phrases and keep them handy as you work on your website.
2. Make Your Website Easy to Navigate
Good SEO for home décor businesses means creating a website that's easy for both visitors and Google to understand. A quick navigation checklist includes
- A site that loads quickly (nobody waits more than a few seconds these days)
- Works perfectly on mobile phones
- Has clear menus that make sense
- Includes separate pages for each of your services
- Shows off your best work right away
You could even look at creating individual pages for each service you offer, like "Kitchen Design" or "Office Spaces." This gives you more opportunities to rank for different interior design keywords in search results.
3. Find the Right Keywords for Design Concepts
Finding the right keywords is like discovering what language your clients speak. These are the exact words and phrases people use when looking for interior design services like yours.
Start by jotting down obvious terms like "interior designer near me" or "home decorator in [your city]." Then dig deeper into specific services you offer, such as "commercial space design" or "sustainable home styling."
There are free tools like Google's Keyword Planner that can help you discover what people are searching for. Look for phrases that have a decent number of searches but aren't impossibly competitive.
4. Create Content That Shows Off Your Expertise
Your website needs more than just pretty pictures. Creating helpful content is one of the best SEO tips for interior designers looking to attract clients.
Try writing blog posts about:
- Before and after reveals (everyone loves these!)
- Current design trends explained
- How to choose the perfect sofa
- Colour schemes that work for north-facing rooms in Sydney apartments
- The process behind one of your favourite projects
Each article gives you a chance to naturally use your interior design keywords while showing off your expertise. Remember to include attractive and clear photos with proper captions, as Google can't "see" images without your help to describe them.
5. Focus on Local Searches
Most interior designers work within specific areas, so local SEO should be top of your list. To improve your SEO for interior designers in your local area:
- Set up a Google Business Profile (it's free and takes about 20 minutes)
- Make sure your address and service areas are clearly listed on your website
- Ask happy clients to leave Google reviews
- Use phrases like "interior designer in Sydney" or "home stylist in Melbourne"
- Join local business directories and design associations
These steps help you appear when someone searches "interior designers near me"—one of the most valuable searches for your business.
6. Optimise Your Portfolio with Smart Descriptions
Your portfolio is your bread and butter, but are you making it work hard enough for your SEO for home décor business? When showcasing your work you can look at:
- Using high-quality images that don't take ages to load
- Name your files descriptively (like "contemporary-kitchen-brisbane.jpg" rather than "IMG_543363w34.jpg")
- Write detailed descriptions for each project using natural keywords for design concepts
- Group similar projects together to create themed galleries
- Consider adding short videos of your spaces, only if it makes sense to
Each portfolio piece should tell the story of the transformation while naturally including terms potential clients might search for.
7. Build Connections That Boost Your Credibility
Google shows more trust towards sites that other reputable sites link to. But not just any links! They need to be genuine, and relatable. Not spammy for the sake of it! To boost your SEO for interior decorators, you could try one of these methods.
- Getting featured in Australian home and design publications like Real Living or Inside Out
- Writing guest posts for popular blogs like The Interiors Addict
- Participating in local home shows, expos and events like Grand Designs Australia
- Partner with real estate agents local to your area, architects or builders
- Create shareable content that design enthusiasts will WANT to link to
Just a few mentions from highly trusted sources will do more for your rankings than hundreds of links from spammy websites.
8. Use Social Media to Amplify Your Website
While likes and shares don't directly improve your Google ranking, social media can drive traffic to your site. Smart SEO tips for interior designers include:
- Sharing your blog posts across your social accounts
- Using relevant hashtags on Instagram and Twitter
- Creating Pinterest boards that link back to your website
- Showing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your process
- Engaging with bigger names in the Australian design world like Darren Palmer or Neale Whitaker
Pinterest is definitely an interesting one for interior designers, it can be both a social platform and a search engine where many people begin planning their journey for a home makeover or reno.
9. Keep an Eye on What's Working
The most overlooked of all SEO tips for interior designers is simply just paying attention to what's already working. Use Google Analytics (it's free!) to see which keywords for design concepts are bringing people to your site, which pages visitors spend the most time on, where your visitors come from, which blog topics get the most interest and are you getting leads and enquiries, if so how many.
You can use these insights to do more of what works and then improve on the ones that are lagging behind.
Time to Transform Your Interior Brand's Online Presence
Implementing the right SEO for interior designers doesn't have to be complicated. By understanding what your clients are searching for, creating a website they'll love, and consistently sharing your expertise, you'll organically find your traffic and enquires will improve.
Remember that SEO takes time, but the effort you put in will be visible in the long-term. Ready to take your interior design business to the next level online? Contact us today for a free SEO consultation.