SEO for Interior Designers: Smart Tweaks to Actually Get Found Online
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Search engine optimization (SEO) might not be the most glamorous part of running your interior design business, but it's one of the most powerful tools for getting your work in front of the right audience online.
And no, you don’t need to dive headfirst into code or hire a full-time marketing team to start seeing results.
The truth is that just a few small, strategic SEO tweaks can increase your visibility, attract better-fit clients, and even elevate your credibility, without requiring a complete website overhaul.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the SEO basics many designers overlook, plus a few lesser-known techniques that can help you rise above the competition, even if you're not tech-savvy.
Let’s make SEO feel less intimidating and a lot more impactful.
1. Use keywords that clients actually search for.
One of the most common SEO mistakes interior designers make? Writing copy that sounds beautiful and that follows their aesthetic, but doesn’t reflect what clients are actually typing into Google or other search engines.
Phrases like “refined transitional spaces,” “artful, elevated interiors,” or “bespoke details” may align with your brand, but they aren’t search-friendly. Google doesn’t rank you based on how elegant your language is, it ranks you based on how well your site content matches keywords your audience is actively searching for.
What are keywords?
They’re the exact words and phrases people type into Google to find services like yours. Your job is to identify what your ideal client might be searching for and use those same terms throughout your website.
Instead of relying solely on industry lingo, try client-focused keywords like:
“Interior designer New York City”
“Help with kitchen remodel design”
“Modern cabin interior ideas”
“Interior decorator for vacation rental”
Quick tip: Naturally incorporate these phrases into your homepage, service descriptions, image alt text, and even your portfolio summaries. Repeating relevant keywords in multiple places helps search engines better understand what your business is about, and boosts your chances of showing up in search results.
2. Rename your images before uploading.
Interior designers naturally rely on strong visuals, and rightly so… your work speaks through images. But here’s what most don’t realize: search engines can’t “see” your photos unless you tell them what they’re looking at.
Every time you upload an image to your website, you have an opportunity to support your SEO. But it only works if you name and describe your images intentionally.
Start with the file name.
Before uploading, rename the file using clear, descriptive keywords that reflect the project and location.
For example: Instead of “IMG_3049.jpg”, use “modern-kitchen-new-york-city.jpg.”
Add alt text.
Alt text is a brief written description of an image. It tells Google what’s in the photo and makes your site more accessible for users with visual impairments.
For example: "White oak cabinetry and quartz waterfall island in a lakefront home kitchen designed in Alexandria, VA."
These small details help search engines index your images correctly, and they give your beautiful work more chances to show up in image searches and local results.
3. Create location-based landing pages.
Even if you work virtually or serve clients in multiple cities, many people still search for designers using geographic terms. Phrases like “interior designer in New York City” or “San Francisco home styling” are common, and if you want to show up in those results, your website needs to reflect it.
That’s where location-specific landing pages come in.
These are dedicated pages on your site that highlight your experience and availability in a particular city or region. They’re especially helpful if you want to rank in multiple markets or if your portfolio includes projects across different areas.
What to include on a location page:
A short intro about your work in that area
A few photos of local projects (or styled stock that aligns with the region’s aesthetic)
Client testimonials from nearby
A keyword-friendly headline (e.g., Interior Design Services in Orlando, FL)
A clear next step, like “Book a Discovery Call”
These pages don’t need to be long or overly detailed, just purposeful. Done right, they tell Google you’re relevant to that area and make it easier for local clients to find you.
Need help setting up location pages (or your whole website)? Elite Design Assistants offers website design support specifically for interior designers. Whether you need an SEO-friendly refresh or a full build from scratch, our virtual design assistants (VDAs) know how to create beautiful, strategic websites that convert. From layout to copy, we make sure your site works for you, so local clients can actually find you.
4. Rework your portfolio for SEO performance.
Your portfolio is one of the most powerful parts of your website, but if it’s just a grid of pretty photos, you’re missing out on serious SEO value.
Each project you showcase is an opportunity to help Google understand what you do, where you work, and what styles or services you specialize in. That’s why turning your portfolio entries into mini-case studies is a smart move.
What to include for each project picture:
The location of the project (Google loves geo-specific content)
The design style or inspiration (e.g., coastal, modern farmhouse, Scandinavian)
A short narrative about the client’s goals, challenges, and how you approached the design
Naturally placed keywords like “primary bathroom remodel in Atlanta GA” or “Scandinavian lake cabin interior”
These thoughtful details do more than boost your SEO; they build trust, show off your process, and help potential clients see themselves in your work.
5. Write blog posts based on real searches.
Blogging is still one of the most effective ways to strengthen your SEO, but only if it’s intentional. While mood board roundups and trend forecasts have their place, they won’t help much unless they’re answering real questions your potential clients are asking.
The goal is to create content that aligns with what people are actively searching for and position yourself as the expert who can help.
Where to find blog-worthy questions:
Use tools like AnswerThePublic, Ubersuggest, or even your own client discovery calls and DMs. Chances are, if one client asked it, others are searching for it too.
Sample SEO-friendly blog topics:
Best Interior Paint Colors
How Much Does Interior Design Really Cost?
What to Expect During the First Design Consultation
As you write, link to relevant services or portfolio projects, and always close with a clear call to action, whether that’s scheduling a consultation or downloading a helpful resource. Blogging isn’t just about sharing ideas; it’s about guiding visitors toward working with you.
Psst—don’t have time to write your blog? That’s where we come in. Our virtual design assistants (VDAs) can help you plan, write, and upload SEO-friendly blog posts that attract your ideal client. From researching real search queries to crafting beautifully written posts with internal links and calls-to-action, we can help!
6. Update (or claim) your Google Business Profile.
If you want to show up in local searches, especially on Google Maps, your Google Business Profile is essential. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve local SEO, yet it’s often overlooked by interior designers.
Whether you have a physical studio or work remotely, this free tool helps you appear when someone searches for phrases like “interior designer near me” or “home decorating services in Houston.”
How to optimize your profile:
Choose clear, relevant categories like Interior Designer, not vague options like Design Services
Upload current project photos that reflect your style and expertise
Add your website, business hours, and service areas
Ask satisfied clients to leave thoughtful, keyword-rich reviews
Bonus tip: Google rewards activity, so post occasional updates, behind-the-scenes photos, or recent project highlights to keep your profile fresh and engaging.
Think of your Google Business Profile as a mini version of your website; it’s often the first impression someone sees, so make it count.
7. Use internal linking (it matters more than you think).
This one often flies under the radar but can be a real game-changer for SEO.
Internal linking means adding links from one page on your website to another, like from a blog post to a service page, or from your About page to your portfolio. It helps search engines understand the structure of your site and keeps visitors exploring longer.
How to use internal links strategically:
Link a blog post about “kitchen layouts” directly to your Kitchen Design Services page.
Mention your virtual design offerings within your portfolio entries and link back to the main Virtual Design Services page.
These links aren’t just helpful, they’re a subtle but smart way to show Google and other search engines what your key pages are, boosting their importance in search results.
8. Create a strategic FAQ section.
FAQs aren’t just great for your clients, they’re a clever SEO strategy too.
Think about the questions you hear most on discovery calls or through messages. Those are the exact phrases your potential clients are typing into search engines. Turning them into clear, keyword-friendly Q&As on your site can help you rank higher and get featured.
Sample FAQ questions to include:
What’s the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
Do you work with clients out of state?
How long does a typical full-service design project take?
Search engines often pull FAQ answers into “featured snippets,” placing your content right at the top of search results; a major visibility win.
9. Optimize for mobile (it’s non-negotiable).
More than half of all website traffic now comes from mobile devices, and search engines know this. That’s why they prioritize sites that load quickly and look great on phones and tablets.
If your site takes too long to load or isn’t optimized for mobile, it won’t just frustrate visitors; it can actually lower your search rankings.
Pro tip: Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s mobile performance. Then team up with a virtual design assistant (VDA) to fix any issues slowing things down or causing display problems.
Making your site mobile-friendly isn’t just tech talk, it’s essential for capturing and keeping potential clients browsing on the go.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to become an SEO expert overnight, but with just a few intentional changes, you can dramatically improve how (and where) your business shows up online. Small steps like keyword tweaks, renaming images, and writing blog posts based on real questions can lead to big results.
And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
Need help putting all of this into action? From SEO and blogging to website design, email templates, and client communication systems, our virtual design assistants at Elite Design Assistants are here to support your business behind the scenes, so you can focus on designing beautiful spaces, not decoding SEO.
With love and strategy,
xx, Danae