The Most Important Thing on Your Dog Groomer Website
If you’re a dog groomer trying to get found online, here’s one of the simplest but most powerful SEO tips out there:
Put your city and state in your website’s main heading.
Right at the top. First thing. Before the cute tagline. Before the adorable dog pics. Before anything else.
Instead of opening your site with:
“Where every dog leaves looking their best!”
Try:
“Professional Dog Groomer in Asheville, NC”
(Then follow it with the tagline if you want to keep that charm.)
It might not feel as “creative,” but trust us—Google (and your future clients) will thank you.
Here’s why this one little change can make a huge impact.
Why Location-Based Keywords Matter
When someone searches for a groomer online, they’re typing things like:
“Dog groomer near me”
“Mobile groomer in Phoenix”
“Small dog grooming Chicago IL”
Google’s job is to match that search with local results.
If your homepage doesn’t mention your city and state clearly, your site may not show up—even if you’re amazing at what you do. But when you use keywords like “dog groomer in [City, State]”, you’re telling search engines exactly who you are and where you are.
That’s how you show up in search faster.
Where to Use “Dog Groomer in [City, State]” on Your Website (Without Sounding Spammy)
Here’s how to include local keywords naturally and effectively:
1. Your Homepage Header (H1 Tag)
This is the most important spot. Your homepage headline is usually the first thing Google reads, so make it count:
✔️ Yes:
"Dog Groomer in Charleston, SC – Specializing in Small Breeds"
🚫 No:
“The Best Grooming Experience Ever!” (Great sentiment, but it doesn’t help search engines know where you are.)
2. The First Paragraph on Your Homepage
Right under your headline, work it into your welcome message:
“Hi, I’m Sarah, a dog groomer in Charleston, South Carolina, offering gentle, stress-free grooming for pups of all shapes and sizes.”
This sounds helpful, not spammy—and includes your keyword right away.
3. Your About Page
Your About section is a great place to mention your neighborhood, city, and surrounding areas you serve:
“Based in Charleston, SC, I proudly serve pet parents in West Ashley, James Island, and downtown Charleston.”
Bonus points if you include a photo of you and a dog taken locally—makes it even more personal.
4. Your Services Page
List your grooming services by location when possible:
“Our mobile grooming van comes to homes in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, and North Charleston.”
Or if you’re salon-based:
“Located in the heart of Charleston, our grooming studio offers professional care for small and medium dogs.”
5. Image Alt Text + File Names
Don’t forget to optimize the behind-the-scenes stuff too!
When uploading photos, name them things like:
charleston-sc-small-dog-groom.jpgmobile-groomer-james-island.jpg
And include location keywords in the image alt text, which helps with both SEO and accessibility.
6. Your Website Footer
A simple line in your footer helps Google (and people) know where you are on every page:
“Serving dogs and their humans in Charleston, South Carolina and surrounding areas.”
Bonus: Don’t Forget Google Business & Metadata!
Your website’s meta title and meta description (the text that shows in search results) should also include:
Your business name
“Dog groomer”
Your city and state
Example:
Title: Dog Groomer in Charleston, SC | Paws & Whiskers Grooming
Meta Description: Full-service dog grooming in Charleston, SC for doodles, seniors, and small breeds. Book online today!
Bottom Line: Help Google Help You
Using “dog groomer in [City, State]” throughout your site isn’t about sounding robotic—it’s about making it easier for pet parents to find you when they need you most.
You're not just building a website… you're building a local presence.
Need a Grooming Website That Gets Found (and Booked)?
At Pixels Unleashed, we design custom Squarespace websites just for dog groomers. Every site is:
SEO-optimized with your city and services
Mobile-friendly
Styled to match your vibe
Built to help you get found fast—without lifting a paw 🐾
Let’s get you booked solid in your city. Reach out today!
