Tattoo Parlor: use SEO so everyone can find you on internet [SEO checklist]
Tattoo Parlor: use SEO so everyone can find you on internet [SEO checklist]

Copy the best tattoo parlors!

There are tattoo parlor owners that make way more profit than you. We have analyzed their tactics. Get them now!

SEO isn't just for tech giants and e-commerce sites—it's a powerful tool that the best tattoo parlors use strategically to attract clients.

We understand that you're busy running your tattoo parlor, and the idea of optimizing your website might feel like an added burden.

But here's the thing: you don't need to be an SEO expert or spend a fortune to make it work. Just a few simple steps can significantly improve your online visibility and bring more clients through your doors.

To help you out, we have built a free SEO checklist - also, for a full action plan, please check our pack of marketing tactics and strategies for tattoo parlor owners.

Get the SEO checklist made for tattoo parlor owners

The best tattoo parlors rank first on Google. Here is a free tool to to get you started.

 seo checklist for tattoo parlors

What is SEO for tattoo parlors exactly?

Simply put, SEO is all about making your tattoo parlor’s website more attractive to search engines like Google.

When someone searches for "best tattoo artist in [Your Town]" or "custom tattoo designs," SEO helps your tattoo parlor show up in the results. The goal is to get your website higher up on the search results page so more people can find and visit your parlor.

Why is SEO Important for Tattoo Parlors?

SEO is incredibly important for tattoo parlors, and here’s why:

  • Increased Online Visibility:

    The higher your website ranks on search engines, the more people will see it. This means more potential clients discovering your tattoo parlor online, especially when they're looking for tattoo services.

  • Higher Rankings on Search Engines:

    Most people don’t look past the first page of search results. By optimizing your site, you can climb those rankings and beat out the competition. Imagine someone searching for "best tattoo artist near me" and finding your parlor right at the top!

  • Attracting More Local Clients:

    SEO isn't just about getting anyone to your site—it's about getting the right people. Local SEO helps ensure that when someone nearby searches for a tattoo artist, your parlor pops up. This means more foot traffic and more clients booking appointments.

Key Components of SEO

Now, let’s break down the main parts of SEO specifically for your tattoo parlor:

On-Page SEO

This involves making sure the content on your website is optimized. It includes things like:

  • Keywords:

    Using the words and phrases people are searching for in your titles, descriptions, and content. For example, if you specialize in custom designs, make sure you use phrases like "custom tattoo designs" or "unique tattoos" on your site.

  • Content Quality:

    Providing useful, engaging, and fresh content about your tattoo parlor. Share your portfolio, artist profiles, special offers, and stories about your work and team.

  • Meta Tags:

    Using meta titles and descriptions that are relevant and appealing to searchers. For instance, a meta description for your homepage could be "Get inked by the best tattoo artists at [Your Parlor Name], the top-rated tattoo parlor in [Your Town]."

Off-Page SEO

This focuses on actions taken outside your website to impact your rankings:

  • Backlinks:

    Getting other reputable websites to link to your site, which signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and relevant. This could be from tattoo blogs, local news sites, or community event pages.

  • Social Media:

    Being active on social media with your tattoo parlor’s page can drive traffic to your site and improve your online presence. Share your latest designs, client testimonials, and special events to engage with your audience.

Technical SEO

This ensures your website meets the technical requirements of search engines:

  • Site Speed:

    Making sure your website loads quickly. No one likes to wait, especially potential clients looking to browse your portfolio!

  • Mobile-Friendliness:

    Ensuring your site looks and works well on mobile devices. Many people search for tattoo parlors on their phones while on the go.

  • Secure Website (HTTPS):

    Having a secure website that users (and search engines) can trust. This is especially important if you have an online booking system.

Some tattoo parlors make 5x more profit than you!

We have studied the strategies of the best tattoo parlors in the world. Replicate them now!

marketing strategy for a tattoo parlor

Which keywords should you target for your tattoo parlor?

Tattoo parlor owners, like you, must target specific keywords in SEO because it helps your website appear in search results when potential clients look for the type of tattoo services or styles you offer. This increases the chances that people will find and visit your tattoo parlor.

For example, if you specialize in traditional tattoos, targeting keywords like "best traditional tattoo artist" or "traditional tattoos near me" helps attract clients searching for those terms. This makes it easier for people interested in traditional tattoo styles to find your parlor online.

Here are some keyword ideas for you. If you want a more developed strategy with actionable steps, go check out our strategy pack for tattoo parlor owners.

Keyword Competitiveness Level Tips and Initiatives
Best [Tattoo Style] artist in [Your City] High Optimize your website with high-quality images of your tattoo work, gather client reviews, list on local directories, and use local SEO strategies.
Where to get [Tattoo Style] tattoos Medium Create blog posts or pages on your website highlighting your best tattoo designs, use keywords naturally in content, and engage with local tattoo bloggers.
Tattoo parlor with good atmosphere near me Medium Use beautiful imagery of your parlor's ambiance, gather positive client reviews, and ensure your Google My Business profile is complete.
Best place for [Tattoo Type] in [Your City] Medium Feature specific tattoo types prominently on your website (e.g., sleeve tattoos, small tattoos), use local SEO tactics, and promote specials on social media.
[Tattoo Style] tattoos in [Your City] High Highlight unique aspects of your tattoo style, create SEO-friendly content about your designs, and engage with the local community online.
Top-rated [Tattoo Style] artist near me High Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews, optimize your website for mobile, and ensure accurate information on local listings.
Affordable [Tattoo Style] tattoos in [Your City] Low Highlight affordable options and specials on your website, use keywords related to value, and promote deals on social media.
Where to find [Tattoo Style] tattoos near me Medium Use local SEO strategies, create content around popular tattoo designs, and ensure your website is optimized for mobile users searching nearby.
Popular [Tattoo Style] artist in [Your City] Medium Use social media to share popular tattoo designs, engage with local influencers, and gather client testimonials to build credibility.
Best [Tattoo Style] artist for first-timers in [Your City] Low Create content for first-time tattoo clients, highlight your experience and gentle approach on your website, and host events to attract new clients.

What really matters when you do SEO for a tattoo parlor

Actually, we think that SEO often follows the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. For tattoo parlor owners, like you, this means it's crucial to focus on the right strategies to maximize impact without feeling overwhelmed.

Action / Initiative Why It Matters / How It Helps Bring New Clients
Optimize Google My Business profile Ensures your tattoo parlor appears in local search results, provides essential information (hours, location, services), and collects reviews to build trust.
Gather and respond to online reviews Positive reviews build credibility and trust. Responding to reviews shows you value client feedback, encouraging more people to visit.
Create high-quality content with targeted keywords Helps your website rank higher in search results for relevant queries, attracting clients looking for specific tattoo styles or artists.
Optimize for local SEO Ensures your tattoo parlor shows up in local searches (e.g., "tattoo shops near me"), driving foot traffic from nearby potential clients.
Ensure website is mobile-friendly Most users search for tattoo parlors on their phones. A mobile-friendly site provides a better user experience, leading to higher engagement and bookings.
Use high-quality images of tattoos and studio Attractive photos entice potential clients, showcasing your artists' work and the studio's ambiance, which can significantly influence their decision to visit.
Include an online portfolio with keywords Allows search engines to index your portfolio, helping you appear in searches for specific tattoo styles, and makes it easy for clients to see your work.
List your tattoo parlor on local directories Increases your online presence and backlinks, improving your search engine ranking and making it easier for clients to find you.
Engage with local influencers and tattoo enthusiasts Generates buzz and word-of-mouth, reaching a wider audience and attracting clients who trust these local voices.
Promote special events and offers Creates a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging potential clients to visit your parlor for unique experiences.
Utilize social media to share updates and engage with clients Builds a community around your tattoo parlor, keeps clients informed about new offerings, and drives traffic to your website.
Ensure accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms Prevents confusion, helps search engines trust your business information, and improves your local SEO ranking.
Offer online booking and consultations Makes it convenient for clients to plan their visit or discuss tattoo ideas, leading to increased bookings and client satisfaction.
Create blog posts about tattoo styles and artist experiences Attracts visitors to your site through informative and engaging content, improving SEO and showcasing what makes your tattoo parlor unique.

Copy the tactics of the best tattoo parlors in the world!

There are tattoo parlors that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!

marketing strategy for a tattoo parlor

What is always useless when you do SEO for a tattoo parlor

We have studied a lot of tattoo parlors when we built our strategy pack and we saw a lot of SEO-related initiatives that don't help attract new clients. We explain here why they might be a waste of time or even counterproductive.

Action / Initiative Why It Doesn't Matter / How It Doesn't Help Bring New Clients
Using meta keyword tags Search engines no longer use meta keyword tags to rank pages, so focusing on them doesn't improve SEO for your tattoo parlor.
Keyword stuffing in artist bios Overusing keywords in artist bios makes them hard to read and can be penalized by search engines, turning away potential clients.
Paying for backlinks from unrelated websites Backlinks from non-tattoo related or low-quality websites don't improve your SEO and can even hurt your ranking if considered spammy by search engines.
Using exact match domains like besttattoosintown.com Having an exact match domain has minimal impact on SEO and can appear spammy, especially if it doesn't reflect your brand well.
Creating multiple pages for the same tattoo styles Duplicate content confuses search engines and can dilute your SEO efforts. Focus on one high-quality page for each unique tattoo style or topic.
Using Flash for portfolio or booking pages Flash is outdated, not supported by many devices, and negatively impacts SEO. Modern alternatives like HTML5 should be used instead.
Focusing only on desktop optimization Many clients search for tattoo parlors on mobile devices. Ignoring mobile optimization leads to poor user experience and lower search rankings.
Using automated link-building tools These tools often create low-quality or spammy links that can be penalized by search engines, hurting your tattoo parlor's SEO efforts.
Ignoring structured data for services Structured data helps search engines understand your services better. Ignoring it means missing out on potential SEO benefits like rich snippets.
Not updating your portfolio regularly Outdated portfolio information can frustrate clients and harm your SEO. Regular updates keep content relevant and maintain search rankings.
Using irrelevant stock photos on your site Low-quality or irrelevant images can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use high-quality photos of your actual tattoos and parlor.
Over-optimizing anchor text in links Using exact match keywords for every link appears unnatural and can be penalized by search engines. Use varied, natural anchor text instead.
Ignoring page load speed for your website Slow-loading pages frustrate users and can lead to higher bounce rates, negatively impacting your tattoo parlor's SEO. Ensure your site loads quickly.
Using too many ads above the fold on your homepage Too many ads at the top of the page can be off-putting for users and may be penalized by search engines, impacting your SEO negatively.

Should you pay someone for the SEO of your tattoo parlor?

Well, let's be upfront. Here’s the thing: SEO can get pretty intricate, and having some support can really make a difference. Imagine trying to juggle running your tattoo parlor, managing artists, keeping clients satisfied, and then on top of that, diving into the world of search engine optimization. It’s a lot, right?

Having someone handle your SEO means you can focus on what you do best—running your tattoo parlor. SEO experts know the ins and outs of getting your website to rank higher on search engines. They stay updated on the latest trends and algorithms, which means your site will be optimized correctly and consistently. This can lead to more people finding your tattoo parlor online, and ultimately, more clients booking appointments.

  • But here’s the kicker: there are a lot of low-hanging fruits in SEO that you can tackle on your own, even if you don’t know much about it.

You will find a lot of low-hanging fruits that cost nothing, are quick to implement, and will make your tattoo parlor’s website much more visible in strategy pack for tattoo parlor owners.

Simple actions like optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, and using relevant keywords can significantly improve your online presence. These tasks don't require deep technical knowledge but can make a big impact.

So, should you increase the marketing budget of your tattoo parlor and pay someone to manage your SEO? If you can do it, it’s a worthwhile investment. But don't underestimate what you can achieve on your own. Start with the basics, see the results, and then decide if you need more specialized help.

Make your tattoo parlor more profitable

We have studied the strategies of the best tattoo parlors in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!

marketing strategy for a tattoo parlor

Useful tools tattoo parlor owners can use for their SEO

Here are some essential tools that our team has collected and listed, to help you improve your tattoo parlor's online presence and SEO.

Tool How It's Useful
Google My Business Ensures your tattoo parlor appears in local search results and Google Maps, provides essential information (hours, location, services), and collects customer reviews.
SEMrush Helps identify the best keywords for your tattoo parlor, analyze competitors, and track your search rankings. Provides insights to improve your content and visibility.
Yext Manages your tattoo parlor's listings across multiple directories, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information to boost local SEO.
Google Search Console Monitors your tattoo parlor's website performance, identifies issues, and provides data on search traffic and keywords to optimize your SEO strategy.
Yelp Collects customer reviews and ratings, which improve your tattoo parlor's online reputation and visibility in local search results.
BrightLocal Offers tools for local SEO audits, citation building, and review management, helping your tattoo parlor improve its local search presence.
Moz Provides keyword research, link building, and site audit tools to enhance your tattoo parlor's SEO efforts and improve search engine rankings.
Ahrefs Analyzes your tattoo parlor's backlink profile, identifies top-performing content, and tracks keyword rankings to boost your SEO strategy.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider Crawls your tattoo parlor's website to identify technical SEO issues, such as broken links and duplicate content, helping improve site health and rankings.
AnswerThePublic Generates content ideas by showing what people are searching for related to your tattoo parlor, helping you create relevant and engaging blog posts and pages.
Canva Helps create visually appealing social media posts and graphics for your website, which can improve user engagement and indirectly boost SEO.
Hotjar Provides insights into user behavior on your tattoo parlor's website through heatmaps and session recordings, helping you optimize user experience and reduce bounce rates.

Copy the SEO tactics of the best tattoo parlor owners

We understand why many tattoo parlor owners might shy away from SEO and marketing.

Running a tattoo parlor is already a full-time job, and the concept of SEO can seem vague and foreign. The terminology can be confusing, and it often feels like marketing is a luxury only big corporations can afford.

Plus, there's the constant worry about costs and whether any marketing efforts will actually pay off. We get that you prefer to focus on immediate, tangible improvements to your tattoo parlor rather than dive into something that seems complicated and uncertain. No need to deteriorate your tattoo parlor’s budget here.

That's why we've created a "marketing pack" specifically for tattoo parlor owners like you.

Our pack is designed to address all these concerns head-on. It includes easy-to-follow guides that break down SEO and marketing into simple steps, so you don't need to be a tech expert to understand. We offer cost-effective strategies that fit within tight budgets, and our step-by-step plans ensure that you can implement a good marketing strategy for your tattoo parlor without feeling overwhelmed.

Plus, we've included real-life examples and tips that have worked for other small tattoo parlors, so you can see the tangible benefits before you even start.

Our goal is to make marketing accessible and practical, helping your tattoo parlor thrive without adding extra stress to your already busy life.

Your tattoo parlor could make more money!

Most tattoo parlor owners don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.

social media strategy for a tattoo parlor
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A marketing plan for your tattoo parlor
Download the template and make your own marketing plan.
A budget tracker (and planner) for your tattoo parlor
Download the template and start tracking your budget.
A content idea list for tattoo parlor owners
Download the list and get better ideas for engaging content on social media.