Best Local SEO Keywords for Car Dealership Websites
Because “New Cars Near Me” isn't going to take you to the top on its own.
Don’t have time to read all this?
Just know this:
If your website doesn’t say what you sell, where you sell it and who you sell it to — you’re not ranking for anything that matters.
Want to fix that?
Use keywords that match how real people search. Then build the pages they’re actually looking for.
If your dealership website is packed with generic vendor copy and outdated keywords, you’re not just missing clicks — you’re handing them to the guy across town.
Local SEO is how you show up when your customers are actually ready to buy. But it’s not just about stuffing “dealership near me” into your homepage footer and hoping for the best.
It’s about targeting the exact search terms real shoppers use when they’re looking for their next vehicle, service appointment, or trade-in deal—in your market.
Let’s crank through the ones that matter.
Bad:
“Used cars”
Better:
“Used Toyota RAV4 for sale”
Best:
“Used Toyota RAV4 under $25K in Madison WI”
What Makes a Keyword “Local” for Car Dealers?
The best local keywords hit the trifecta:
- What the buyer wants (SUVs, lease deals, repairs)
- Where they want it (City, suburb, zip)
- Why they want it (buy, schedule, compare, trade)
If it sounds like a real search, it probably works. If it sounds like a vendor wrote it, it probably doesn’t.
PRO TIP:
Add urgency words like “today” or “open now” into meta descriptions to improve your click-through rate (CTR).
Top Local SEO Keywords for Dealership Sales Pages
These are high-intent, location-driven, and built to convert.
These belong in your headlines, meta titles, and body copy—not buried in a paragraph at the bottom.
- [Brand] dealership in [City]
- [Brand] lease deals [City]
- Used [Brand] cars for sale near [City]
- [Model] for sale [City]
- Certified pre-owned [Brand] [City]
- Best place to buy a car in [City]
- [Brand] service center [City]
- [Model year] [Model] deals [City]
PRO TIP:
Each service should have its own page, not just a bullet on your “Service” landing page.
Keywords That Rank for Service & Fixed Ops
Most dealers ignore their service content, which is great because it gives you a huge edge when you don’t.
Don’t let your service pages be an afterthought. Use keywords like:
- Oil change in [City]
- Brake repair near [City]
- [Brand] service center [City]
- Car AC repair [City]
- Tire rotation deals [City]
PRO TIP:
Mention local landmarks, cross streets, or neighborhood names to boost local relevance.
Top Local SEO Keywords for Dealership Sales Pages
If you serve multiple cities, you need multiple pages.
Copy-paste doesn’t rank. Hyper-localized pages do.
- Car dealership near [City]
- [Brand] dealer serving [Suburb]
- [Brand] lease specials [County]
- Used trucks for sale in [City]
PRO TIP:
Use these in blog post headlines, FAQ sections, and Google Business Profile content.
Bonus Keywords That Still Convert
These may seem basic—but they still work because people still search them.
- Dealerships near me
- New cars near me
- Best [Brand] dealer in [City]
- Trade in my car [City]
- Car dealerships open now [City]
- Fast auto loan approval [City]
Final Word: Stop Guessing. Start Ranking.
Local SEO isn’t about stuffing keywords or writing for Google — it’s about understanding how your customers actually search when they’re ready to buy, trade or book service.
If your content doesn’t match their intent, it’s not working. And if it’s not working, it’s just taking up space.
Your site should be pulling leads while your team is closing deals — not collecting dust in search result limbo.
Did you find us through search?
We don’t pay a cent for advertising. SEO is all we do.
Help your customers find you the same way you found us.